The warmer weather of spring provides a great incentive to get back outdoors and start walking and the support of the free Heart Foundation Walking program makes it even easier to do.
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The Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) coordinates Heart Foundation Walking groups and health promotion officer Maryann Anderson said they were a great way to have fun, meet new people, look after your heart and your mental health too.
“Walking for just 30 minutes a day can help you maintain a healthy weight, increase fitness and strength, improve your self-esteem and mental health, control diabetes and reduce your risk of heart disease by almost half,” Ms Anderson said.
“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.”
In recognition of Mental Health Month and the benefits of exercise for overall health and wellbeing, MNCLHD, Headspace, CHESS and On Track are coordinating a free ‘spring into spring by sharing the journey for mental health’ community walking event.
“All local residents are invited to come along and meet their local walking groups, join a group or just have a morning out to meet new friends,” Ms Anderson said.
The Spring into Spring community walk will take place at the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden in Coffs Harbour on Tuesday October 24 at 10.30am.
A gentle exercise session will be followed by a 30 minute walk and conclude with a healthy lunch.
“Local walking groups have grown over the years and most groups organise an occasional special walk or other social events to make being active even more fun,” Ms Anderson said.
“It’s definitely never too late to join a walking group and start feeling fitter and stronger.”
For more information about Heart Foundation Walking or to enquire about joining or starting a local walking group, contact Maryann Anderson on 6691 1892 or visit walking.heartfoundation.org.au
The nearest groups for Bellingen Shire residents are in Urunga, Macksville and Coffs Harbour.
Urunga Dolphins
Meeting Point: Park
Address: Morgo ST, URUNGA, 2455
Walk Organiser: Dixie
Contact: 0458 615 486
Duration: 45-60 min, Speed: Medium
Walk Times: Monday 08:00, Wednesday 08:00, Friday 08:00
Macksville Movers
Meeting Point: Boat Ramp Car park
Address: Ferrie ST & Pacific HWY, MACKSVILLE, 2447
Walk Organiser: Heather
Contact: heather_edw@yahoo.com.au
Duration: 45-60 min, Speed: Medium
Walk Times: Thursday 07:30, Tuesday 07:30
Stroll Patrol - Mental Health Walking Group
Meeting Point: Several locations in Coffs (contact organiser for details)
Walk Organiser: Sarah
Contact: 0439610324
Group Speciality: Mental Health Walking Group, Distance: 2 KMs, Duration: 45-60 min, Speed: Slow
Walking on country
Meeting Point: Botanical gardens cafe, pet porpoise pool BBQ area
Address: Locked Bag 812 Pacific Highway Cofffs Harbour Health Campus, coffs harbour, 2450
Walk Organiser: Ruben
Contact: 0266567842
Group Speciality: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders,
Duration: 45-60 min, Speed: Slow
Walk Times: Tuesday 10:00
Jiindas & Jarjums Journey
Meeting Point: Botanic Gardens or Jetty Beach
Address: Locked Bag 812, Coffs Harbour, 2450
Walk Organiser: Noelene
Contact: 0403196123
Group Speciality: Mum, Bubs and Families,
Distance: 2 KMs, Duration: 45-60 min,
Speed: Slow
Walk Times: Tuesday 09:30
