WALKING: Just what the doctor ordered!
A life-time fitness enthusiast, retired physician Dr. Robert Fawcett believes deeply in the value of staying active for good physical and mental health. During his 40 years as a family physician he regularly encouraged his patients to get active in whatever way works for them: “the important thing is to just keep moving.”
Retiring a few years ago, Dr. Fawcett now chairs HEALTHY YORK’s Prevention & Wellness Committee. Under his leadership the committee established the York County Walks initiative to promote the health benefits of walking and to improve the walkability of the county. As Dr. Fawcett explains: “Fortunately walking is something that most of us can do, and most of us enjoy doing it.”
Consider these health benefits:
- Arthritis: Walking can reduce pain and improve function, without worsening symptoms.
- Cancer: Physically active adults are less likely to die from many types of cancer.
- Dementia: Walkers are less likely to suffer from mental decline as they age.
- Depression: Walking promotes relaxation and reduces anxiety and depression.
- Diabetes: Walking regularly, along with moderate diet changes, reduces the incidence of type 2 diabetes, and improves control when it does occur.
- Heart Disease: Walking 30 minutes a day, five days a week, can cut the risk of heart disease and reduce stress, cholesterol and blood pressure.
- Stronger Bones: Walking builds bone mass and reduces risk of osteoporosis.
- Weight Loss: Walking five days a week will burn calories and reduce body fat.
Walking is the perfect exercise:
- Affordable (Free!)
- Pleasant and easy to do
- Flexible and can fit into your schedule in lots of little ways every day.
- Great way to spend time with family, friends, neighbors and coworkers.
- Great option for traveling to work or school (good for your waist, wallet, and the world!)
Spring is a great time to get walking! Visit the coalition’s website for more information: www.healthyyork.org
Hear Dr. Fawcett, other local physicians and health professionals by watching the York County Walks video on the coalition’s website home page. The video is also playing on White Rose Community Television.
The website provides information on local walking opportunities. In addition to the beautiful parks individuals can visit on their own, there are organized walking groups in the county (once we’re allowed to gather in groups again). Contact Deb Gogniat at HEALTHY YORK for more information (717) 851-2333 or dgogniat@wellspan.org
More resources for walking in and around York County:
https://www.alltrails.com/us/pennsylvania/york
https://www.traillink.com/city/york-pa-trails/
https://www.yorkpa.org/blog/post/where-to-take-a-hike-in-york-county/
https://www.mapmywalk.com/us/york-pa/
https://www.ydr.com/story/life/2018/04/13/you-cant-miss-these-five-central-pa-hikes/510241002/
Article contributed by Dr. Robert Fawcett for publication in Volume 2, Issue 2 of Bell’s Resonance magazine.
Robert Fawcett, MD served as a family physician for close to 40 years, retiring from practice in November 2014. He served as Assistant Director and Medical Director for the York Hospital Family Practice Residency Program, and the Program Director for the York Hospital Sportsmedicine Fellowship. In addition to his work as physician and teacher, he enjoys reading, writing poetry, sailing, skiing, scuba diving, jogging, and biking). Dr. Fawcett chairs HYCC’s Prevention & Wellness Committee.