The Pooraka Clinic Walking Group is a sports club located in Adelaide, South Australia. As a part of the National Heart Foundation of Australia, this walking group aims to promote a healthier lifestyle and reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes through regular walking.
Joining the Pooraka Clinic Walking Group allows individuals to build connexions in their local community and work towards a healthier heart together. By participating in group walks, members can enjoy the social aspect of exercising while reaping the numerous health benefits.
Walking for as little as 30 minutes a day has been proven to lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes by 30 to 40 percent. Additionally, walking regularly can help manage weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol, reduce the risk of certain cancers, maintain bone density, improve balance and coordination, and reduce the risk of falls and other injuries. The Pooraka Clinic Walking Group aims to provide an opportunity for individuals to improve their overall well-being through the simple act of walking.
The walking group encourages healthcare professionals to refer their patients to the structured and supportive walking programme that complements their care. Whether patients prefer to walk alone or in a group, the motivational programme has been specially designed to help them meet national physical activity guidelines.
One member of the Pooraka Clinic Walking Group, Maria, shares her success story of walking away from health issues. After struggling with being overweight, diabetes, and blood pressure problems for 40 years, she started walking by taking up to 5,000 steps a day and gradually increased it to 15,000 steps a day over a year. Through this commitment, Maria managed to reverse her diabetes and no longer had any blood pressure issues. Her experience highlights the positive impact that the simplest form of exercise, walking, can have on both mental and physical health.
Getting started with the Pooraka Clinic Walking Group is easy. Interested individuals can search for a walking group near them by entering their suburb, town, or postcode. Once registered, members will be provided with all the necessary information by the Walk Organiser.
For those who are passionate about leading a healthy lifestyle and want to contribute to their community, becoming a Volunteer Walk Organiser is a rewarding opportunity. Walk Organisers are the backbone of the programme and are responsible for planning walking routes, determining meeting places and times, as well as welcoming new members to the group. As a Walk Organiser, individuals will receive training, access to an online profile for group management, and ongoing communications from the Heart Foundation.
Join the Pooraka Clinic Walking Group today and start walking towards a healthier heart.