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A little activity goes a long ways

It is all about getting people more active. That’s how Alberta Health Services (AHS) health promotion facilitator Terri Flemmer explained the purpose of Winter Walk Day. On Wednesday, Feb.
Barrhead Elementary School’s indoor track team made an appearance at Winter Walk Day as part of their regular practice routine. The team is preparing for the Running
Barrhead Elementary School’s indoor track team made an appearance at Winter Walk Day as part of their regular practice routine. The team is preparing for the Running Rooms Indoor Games slated for March.

It is all about getting people more active.

That’s how Alberta Health Services (AHS) health promotion facilitator Terri Flemmer explained the purpose of Winter Walk Day.

On Wednesday, Feb. 7, dozens of area residents visited the Barrhead Agrena’s walking track throughout the day and joined other people from across the province in taking a winter stroll. The Barrhead event was sponsored by AHS and the Town of Barrhead’s parks and recreation department.

“It’s just a day where we encourage people to get out and get active,” she said, noting usually Winter Walk Day activities are held outside, but because of the area’s large senior population organizers decided to do it inside. “That way we don’t have to worry about ice and anyone falling, plus we get to take advantage of this wonderful facility.”

The annual event was created by Safe Healthy Active People Everywhere (SHAPE), a non-profit organization that promotes the Active and Safe Routes to Schools programs and encourages students in Alberta to walk or bike to school on a regular basis. In addition, SHAPE also encourages Albertans of all ages to become more physically active through its Winter Walk Day.

Flemmer added that she hopes events such as Winter Walk Day get people motivated to become more active.

“It doesn’t necessarily have to take a lot of time. The Canadian sedentary behaviour guidelines recommends adults get a 150 minutes of physical activity per week, so we encourage people to walk 30 minutes five days a week, which really isn’t that much when you think about it.”

By doing this, Flemmer said people reduce their risk of having a heart attack and heart disease by 50 per cent.

“According to The Alberta Prevents Cancer website [by AHS] we can also prevent one out of 12 cases of cancer just by being more active. Which when you think of it is an amazing statistic and we can do all this by just getting out there and walking. It is one of the simplest activities and it’s free. ”

It is also why Flemmer said for the last three years she has teamed up with Ripple Connection Support Centre for a Wednesday morning walking group. In the winter, `the group meets at the Agrena walking track and in the summer at Cecile Martin Park at 11 a.m. and walk 30 to 45 minutes.

“It’s just encouraging people to get out there and be active because we know, in addition to the physical health benefits, physical activity plays a big role in good mental health,” she said.


Barry Kerton

About the Author: Barry Kerton

Barry Kerton is the managing editor of the Barrhead Leader, joining the paper in 2014. He covers news, municipal politics and sports.
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