President Katie's Blog     Summer 2019
Walking for All the Right Reasons

 Walking is a great way to improve or maintain your overall health. Unlike some other forms of exercise, walking is free and doesn’t require any special equipment or training.  Walking can be done at any time of day and can be performed at your own pace.
 
 Some physical benefits of regular walking include:

• increased cardiovascular and pulmonary fitness
• reduced risk of heart disease and stroke
• improvement of conditions such as hypertension, high cholesterol, joint and muscular pain or stiffness, and diabetes
• stronger bones and improved balance
• increased muscle strength and endurance
• reduced body fat.
  

 
Walking can have a positive impact on your mind as well.  Benefits include:

• Sharper memory and thinking. Walking releases endorphins that make you feel better, help you concentrate and keep you mentally sharp. Exercise also stimulates the growth of new brain cells and helps prevent age-related decline.

• Higher self-esteem. Regular activity is an investment in your mind, body, and soul. By meeting even small exercise goals, you’ll feel a sense of achievement.
• Better sleep.  Regular walking can help regulate your sleep patterns.
• More energy. Walking several times a week will make you feel more energized.
• Resilience. When faced with challenges in life, exercise can help you cope in a healthy way. Regular exercise can also help boost your immune system and reduce the impact of stress.

 
How can Volkssport help you with this?

• We schedule walks.  If it doesn’t make it to the calendar it is often left undone.  Pick up a Pathfinder, check the AVA website or go on meet-up to find walks and then put them on your calendar. (http://www.interlakentrailblazers.org/scheduled-events.html) 
• We can challenge you.  No matter your fitness level or interests, setting personal goals and sharing your achievements is part of the Volkssport culture.  Try to complete a distance or event book, sign up for a challenge, or plan a road trip to see new and different things. (www.esva.online/challenges/)
• We can help you meet people.  Does the exercise time go faster when you are talking?  Do you learn something from each person you meet?  Try a Meet-up or group walk and you never know who might be walking with you. (http://www.interlakentrailblazers.org/)
• We can help you find time alone.  Need to distress?  Find time to think and be alone.  Try a Year round event.  (http://www.interlakentrailblazers.org/going-for-a-walk.html)  (www.interlakentrailblazers.org/everyday-events.html)

 
The motto of Volkssport is “Fitness, Fun and Friendship“  for good reason.  Join us and we can take this journey together.

Hope to see you on the trail.
 
Walking with you,
 
Katie