Walk With A Doc Begins Second Year At Ripon High School
20 January 2019 News
Agnesian HealthCare’s Walk with a Doc program at Ripon High School (summer months at Ripon Medical Center) is just entering into its second year, continuing to increase incentives for community members to join.
Called Walk with a Doc, Agnesian HealthCare providers encourage their patients to join them for an opportunity to walk and have one-on-one time. Walk with a Doc is an international program designed by a board-certified cardiologist.
“The goal of Walk with a Doc is to encourage healthy physical activity in people of all ages, and reverse the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle to improve the health and well-being of all,” according to Stephanie Glod, DO, a family medicine physician who serves patients at Ripon Medical Center.
“Walking is low impact and easier on the joints than running,” Dr. Glod adds. “It’s safe – with a health care provider’s approval – for people with orthopedic ailments, heart conditions and those who are more than 20 percent overweight. In addition, research has shown that you could gain two hours of life for each hour of regular exercise.”
Since its inception, Ripon participants can join for free. They can now sign up as an official member of the program at no cost, and receive a T-shirt. In addition, they are able to record their miles walked to earn quarterly prizes, such as gift cards and waiving the RMC Wellness Center joiner fee).
In addition, free blood pressure checks are available Tuesdays and Thursdays. Ripon Medical Center providers are walking on the first, second and third Wednesdays of each month, and the third and fourth Tuesdays from 6 to 7 p.m., and Thursdays from 5 to 6 p.m.
“Walk with a Doc has encouraged more routine exercise and general wellness with our regular participants,” according to Dr. Glod. “It has been a wonderful experience to be able to impact health and wellness for others outside of the office. It has been a good motivation for my own health goals as well. I have seen regular walkers improve health habits and even stay off medications for certain medical conditions like high blood pressure. We have a great time and would love to see more people join us.”
The Surgeon General of the United States recommends 150 minutes of weekly exercise to:
- Lower your risk of heart disease and stroke, type 2 diabetes, breast and colon cancers, and depression
- Maintain or lose weight
- Boost your energy
- Improve your sleep
- Reduce stress
- Reduce your risk of falls
- Delay the onset of cognitive decline and dementia
- Increase sense of well-being and more!
For more information, call the Health Resource Center at (920) 926-4960 or visit agnesian.com/walk-with-a-doc.
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