2 THE QUEENS COURIER • HEALTH • APRIL 3, 2014 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com health Walking: the old way to get fi t is new again With so many fi tness trends, you might not think of walking as good exercise. If you’re not thrusting a kettlebell over your head, pushing a tractor trailer tire or shaking your hips to a Top 40 dance beat in a scheduled group class, you’re not cutting it, right? Well, not so fast. Walking is actually a great way to get in shape. In fact, if you walk often enough and fast enough, the simple act of putting one foot in front of the other can satisfy your body’s daily requirement for aerobic activity. Walking may just seem like an old method of exercise; it certainly is tried and true. But quite the opposite of outdated, it seems to be making a resurgence in the health, fi tness and medical worlds as a low-cost solution to the nation’s ongoing health care crisis. Renowned medical expert Dr. Andrew Weil is an advocate of walking as a crucial method of preventative care. He advocates walking as a low-risk means to optimum health. “With a consistent, brisk walking routine, you can boost your immune system, help manage weight, improve your mood and help ease depression, as well as improve cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure and prevent osteoporosis,” says Weil. “The additional benefi ts may be endless.” Regarded as a leader in the world of integrative medicine, Weil is part of a panel of experts with Vionic Innovation Lab, an innovative footwear company leading the way for proper foot health and active lifestyle solutions. With new products such as the Zen walking shoe, Vionic offers podiatrist-designed technology in contemporary styles, providing an innovative support for anyone in need of a supportive shoe or sandal to start or improve her walking routine. The walking movement is growing: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that between 2005 and 2010, the number of adults who walked for 10 minutes or more at least once a week rose from 56 to 62 percent - an increase of almost 20 million people. Need more convincing reasons to walk onto the bandwagon? Here’s why walking for exercise is so ideal: • Walking is what your body is designed to do. • Among all forms of aerobic exercise, walking carries the least risk of injury. • You can walk almost anywhere, any time. • Nearly everyone can walk, and it’s something you can do throughout your life. • It’s free. • There’s no special skill, training, or equipment needed - all you need is the right footwear. The buzz about walking has even reached the stars. Fitness trainer to celebrities such as Kate Walsh, Pink and Stacey Kiebler, Juliet Kaska has been known to start many of her high-profi le clientele with a consistent walking routine. Also contributing to the Vionic Innovation lab as a lifestyle expert, Kaska recommends walking as a great baseline for any fi tness program, but reminds her followers to “invest in a good pair of walking shoes. They will do wonders for your posture and joints. Minimizing the impact of each step. Look for lightweight fl exible shoes and be sure to replace them often, especially if you’re walking every day.” As you develop your walking program, set your own pace. As a general rule, taking 10,000 steps a day is a great goal for improving your overall physical, emotional and mental fi tness. But the journey, as they say, begins with a single step. There’s no better time than now to begin. Courtesy BPT Yoga for the Fabulous 50s and Beyond! . Meets Tuesdays Session #1 | 11 am . Session #2 | 12 noon Marisa Bonfanti, Certified Yoga Instructor. Sign up for one class or many. Sign up today! Registration needed. George T. Douris Tower, 27-40 Hoyt Avenue South, 2nd Floor Exercise Room, Astoria, 11102 A New Low When It Comes To High Blood Pressure Friday, 10:30 am James Melis, MD, Family Medicine | Nearly one-third of American adults have prehypertension, a slightly elevated blood pressure that could put you at higher risk for heart attack and stroke. Learn how to examine your lifestyle to reduce these health risks. JVL-Dimotsis-Vallone Senior Center, 27-40 Hoyt Avenue South, 1st Floor, Astoria, 11102 Community CPR (Cardio- Pulmonary Resuscitation) Training Class Tuesday, 6:30 pm David Weissman, EMT; Michael Koenke, EMT | This CPR class teaches core skills of CPR: chest compressions, proper breathing, and examining signs of circulation. Registration needed. Church of the Redeemer, 30-14 Crescent Street, Astoria, 11102 Breast Health Screening & Education Wednesday, 5–7 pm George Tsioulias, MD, PhD | Comprehensive clinical breast exams and mammograms for women 40 years of age and older. No charge to eligible patients. Presented with support from The Louis and Rachel Rudin Foundation, Inc., Cancer Services Program and Mount Sinai Queens with educational support provided by SHAREing & CAREing. By Appointment Only. Call 718-808-7727. Mount Sinai Queens, Family Health Associates, 31-60 21st Street, Astoria, 11106 Your Vascular Health Thursday, 11 am Dr. Paul S. Lajos, MD | Vascular disease is among the leading causes of death in the United States, yet millions of Americans remain unaware of their risk. Our top vascular surgeon will discuss various vascular conditions, tests, and treatments. Victory Sweet Shop, 21-69 Steinway Street, Astoria, 11105 For a physician referral, call 800-YOUR-MDS or visit www.mshq.org/FAD M O U N T S I N A I Q U E E N S Free Health & Wellness Events Call 718-267-4333 to register for events and screenings. 04 01 04 04 04 08 04 23 04 24 April APRIL 2014 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Visit mshq.org/events for information on 27 28 29 30 Blood Pressure Screenings and all events. MSQ Apr Cal_QueensCourier 8.75x5.687_032614.indd 1 3/26/14 8:35 PM
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