Avis Ward

National Start! Walking Day is April 8



Posted: Wednesday, April 01, 2009

by Avis Ward
GeoVi's Home for Pregnant Teens

Get up and move on Wednesday, April 8. This is the day that adults nationwide can make the pledge to start walking and to become active and heart healthy, especially in the workplace.

This day is sponsored by the American Heart Association who offers the following tips to help you actively engage your heart in aerobic activity. They will also make walking more fun.

  • Urban walk. Start at a slow pace for five minutes. After you're warmed up, alternate between a slow and rapid pace for each city block. Take flights of stairs two at a time. Find a bus stop or a park bench to stretch and cool down.
  • Mall walk. Indoor malls give you a safe environment with restrooms, water, refreshments and interesting sights, no matter what the weather or time of day.
  • Tourist walk. Walking can help you manage jet lag as well as explore a new locale. Check with the hotel or tourist information center for safe routes and sightseeing maps.
  • Meditation walk. Focus on the soles of your feet meeting the ground and notice the pressure changes as you stride. Awaken all your senses to what you hear, see, smell and feel.
  • Forest or creek walk. Start with easy trails. Carry bottled water, dress in layers and wear waterproof shoes in damp areas. Look for waterfalls and other natural wonders.
Employees are encouraged to wear/take walking shoes to work on this day and carve out 30 minutes of walking aerobics. For more information, please visit the AHA's website dedicated to this healthy heart start!

2009 by Avis Ward of AWC

Avis is founder of El Elyon Outpouring Center, an Empowerment Outreach Ministry emphasizing God’s Unconditional Love and Grace and GeoVi’s Home for New Life, a nonprofit providing faith, hope, and love to teens, pregnant teens and their babies. She's CEO of Providential Coaching, a Christian Life coaching practice teaching young women how-to turn within for divine direction to learn and follow the plan God has for their lives. She's the host and creator of Devoted Housewives in the House of God, an Internet Radio Talk Show. Speaker, Seminar Leader and an Ambassador of Love. Avis respectfully acknowledges her deceased parents as her role models, and the hero and heroine in her life.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)
» left by Nancy Daniels
 3 years 28 days ago.
Avis,
 
Your article has moved me to walk as well.  I think I will spend the day traipsing my garden and cleaning up the debris.
 
Thank you for sharing,
 
Nancy
» left by Avis from SC 3 years 27 days ago.
Nancy, so happy to contribute to your decision to traipse in your garden. After all the cleanup, I'd love to see some pics of your handiwork. Maybe you'll write a brief article about what is planted and showcase its beauty? No pressure, seriously...just a thought.

If you have one, don't forget to wear your pedometer! Happy Walking and thanks for reading and posting. Have a lovely weekend, Nancy.
» left by Ken McCreless
 3 years 26 days ago.
84 fans. Follow Ken McCreless on twitter!
Nice one, Avis. I can't wait to try these ideas!
 
By the way, Great Pic!!
» left by Avis of SC 3 years 25 days ago.
Ken, hope it all goes well for you. Glad you like the ideas. I do, too. And thanks re: the pic! 
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