Take a 'Walk With a Doc'

Carlos Reynes, M.D. founder of Integrative Therapies Wellness Center in Oak Park and member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, will lead Oak Park’s first “Walk With a Doc” walking program hosted by the Park District of Oak Park on Saturday, April 21st.

“Walk with a Doc,” an hourlong walking program for everyone interested in taking steps for a healthier lifestyle, starts at 9 a.m. at Lindberg Park. Participants will meet at the covered picnic area near LeMoyne street.

Registration is not required for the free event, the first in Oak Park for a program already active in more than 100 other cities.

The program encourages healthy physical activity in people of all ages to help reverse the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle and to improve the health and well-being of the country. Coordinated by a non-profit organization of the same name, Walk with a Doc has more than 190 active programs across the United States and around the world.

“I stress the importance of a Healthy Lifestyle and always recommend physical activity and exercise to my patients,” says Dr. Reynes. “You don’t need to be a marathon runner to benefit from exercise. The simple act of walking can have striking health benefits. Many conditions such as fatigue, pain, insulin resistance and depression can be improved by simply increasing or initiating physical activity.

“We will be having brief talks at the beginning of each walk, and I look forward to discussing many wellness topics while we walk. Other physician will be invited to join us and to encourage their patients to participate as well.

Short walks yield long-term health gains

Reynes stresses that increasing exercise, even moderately, reduces the risks or many diseases, including coronary heart disease, breast and colon cancer and type 2 diabetes. “Research has even shown that you could gain two hours of life for each hour that you exercise regularly,” she says.

According to the American Heart Association, walking as little as 30 minutes a day also can provide the following benefits:

· Improve blood pressure and blood sugar levels

· Help maintain a healthy body weight and lower the risk of obesity

· Enhance mental well-being

· Reduce the risk of osteoporosis

Walk With a Doc was created by Dr. David Sabgir, a cardiologist who practices at Mount Carmel Health Systems in Columbus, Ohio, who has been walking every weekend since 2005. The expansion and support of the program is supported by Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield. The mission of the Walk with A Doc organization is to encourage healthy physical activity in people of all ages providing an opportunity for those in the community to walk and talk with a local physician in a safe, fun, easily-accessible location.

“Aside from educating and counseling my patients in clinic about these benefits, I have often wondered what else I can do, not only for my patients, but for our community,” McAninch says. “Unfortunately it is not enough to encourage exercise for a few minutes during the physician-patient encounter. I hope that we can attract support from other local physicians in the future.”

For more information about the program and future walks, visit the Walk with a Doc website.