Most of the time when someone tells you to take a walk, it’s an insult. When a Burnaby doctor does it, it’s an invitation.
Fifteen Burnaby doctors are stepping up to stroll the track at Confederation Park on May 10 alongside their patients and community members. It’s all part of Burnaby’s Move for Health Day, taking place at locations throughout the city from May 5 to 13.
“Every physician that goes out is on their own volunteer time just giving to their own community,” Dr. Davidicus Wong told the NOW. “So that’s kind of an unusual thing too, because usually people just see their doctor in their office or clinic or hospital, they don’t see them going out giving talks or walking on the track or walking on a trail promoting physical activity.”
Wong is giving a free public health talk at 6 p.m. before the walk, which begins at 6:30 p.m.
“We were really made to move. When we’re moving, our health benefits but when we don’t, we suffer. We’re built to move and when we don’t our muscles atrophy, we lose our sense of balance,” he said. “Walking is such an accessible physical activity that we want to encourage the people to maintain the ability for their whole lifespan.”
Not only is walking an activity most mobile people can take part in, it has clear health benefits, Wong said.
“It’s good for maintaining a healthy way to keep our bodies conditioning our hearts and lungs, so we can do normal, everyday activities,” he explained. “But also cardiovascular health improves our cognition, our thinking, our memory and our agility. Walking, like any other exercise helps with managing our emotions – when we’re stressed, going for a walk is beneficial.”
The walk is in its third year, according to Wong, and is a Doctors of B.C. initiative that takes place on the World Health Organization’s Move for Health Day. Since its inception, more than 200 walks have been organized in B.C. communities.
“It was physicians that were part of Doctors of B.C., who were involved in the health promotion committee,” Wong said. “And that’s such an important part in what we’re doing to educate and promote healthy living rather than just treating medical problems when they come in to see us in our clinics and offices. This is more preventive care, proactive care.”
To register for Walk with your Doc, go to walkwith
yourdoc.ca. For more info on Move for Health, go to Burnaby.ca/moveforhealth.
Move for Health Day
Community centres throughout Burnaby are offering free activities for the World Health Organization’s Move for Health Day on May 10. Register at www.burnaby.ca/webreg for all programs. Some highlights:
Bonsor Recreation Complex is offering a swimming class on stroke improvement for 10- to 15-year-olds, a masters swim for 14 years and up, and cycling workshops for 14 years and up.
Cameron Recreation Complex is providing a TRX RIP trainer for 16 years and up.
Edmonds Community Centre is doing demonstrations of its new equipment for 14 years and up, belly dancing class for 14 years and up, and Nordic pole walking for 55 years and up.
Eileen Dailly Leisure Pool and Fitness Centre is having a masters swim class for 16 years and up, and AquaFit for 16 and up.
Willingdon Centre is offering MOVEment exploration circuit class for 14 years and up, and KidFit circuit class for five- to 12-year-olds.
