1 September 2009
GET A SPRING IN YOUR STEP WITH
HEART FOUNDATION WALKING
With the warmer weather on the way it’s a great time to shake off the winter blues and do
something positive for your health. Do you enjoy walking? Would you like to get out and about and
meet new people in your local area?
If you answered ‘YES’ to any of these questions, then Heart Foundation Walking is for you!
The Heart Foundation recommends people should aim to include at least 30 minutes of physical
activity (such as brisk walking) on most, preferably all the days of the week. Heart Foundation
Walking can help you reach this goal.
More than half of the Australian adult population is not active enough to gain health benefits and
being inactive is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease –
the number one killer of both
Australian men and women.
“Joining a Heart Foundation Walking group in your area can help you stay motivated to exercise
regularly and provides you with social support, health information and newsletters,” said the Heart
Foundation’s CEO Cameron Prout. “We have groups catering for a wide range of ages and fitness
levels and everyone is welcome. We encourage people to ‘walk and talk’, so it is very much a
social outlet as well as an activity program.”
As the temperature warms up and we move from spring into the hotter summer months it’s
important to observe a few simple rules. These include staying well hydrated and remembering to
slip, slop, slap before you leave the house.
“It’s essential that you wear a good SPF 30+ sunscreen, increase your water intake and wear
clothing made from natural fibres that will breathe better in the heat,” said Mr Prout. “If you can,
schedule your walk later in the afternoon or in the morning when it’s cooler and always stop and
rest if you need to.”
Heart Foundation Walking has groups that meet and walk regularly all over Australia. For details of
The Queensland Government is proud to provide funding for Heart Foundation Walking, to get
more Queenslanders active through sport and recreation. The Heart Foundation gratefully
acknowledges the support and funding for Heart Foundation Walking from the Australian
Government Department of Health and Ageing.
-ends-
We have groups all over Queensland available for interview and photographs. For further information please
contact: Marcus Chadwick, Heart Foundation Communications Officer on 07 3872 2556 or
marcus.chadwick@heartfoundation.org.au
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