The importance of physical activity in the context of health is often taken for granted. In day-to-day living, exercise can have such a positive effect on our overall health (sleep, energy levels, physical health, mood etc.) yet we still take it for granted and it is not prioritized in our busy lives. For many people, exercise falls to the bottom of a never ending to-do list.
The Pontiac Family Medicine Group (GMF)’s nurses will resume their weekly walking group.
Pontiac Walks/Marche Pontiac
The group, which encourages physical activity and regular walking, will run from the first week of April 2018 until the third week of October 2018. The aim of the group is to get people to start walking.
Current guidelines indicate that we all need at least 150 minutes of physical activity on a weekly basis.
The walking groups’ aim is to get people out and walking in hopes that they will continue with increased physical activity on a regular basis.
The group is targeted for people with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and high cholesterol, for whom physical activity can have multiple positive benefits such as lowered blood glucose levels, improved blood pressure, improved cholesterol levels and weight loss. The group however is open to anyone who is interested, as the GMF believes we can all benefit from more exercise.
The social environment involved in group walking can help with motivation; so we welcome one and all.
The walking groups take place in four different Pontiac locations to best serve our population. Walks are 30 minutes long. Participants are encouraged to walk at their own pace and employ safe walking practices (carrying glucose and water, wearing hats and sunscreen). We encourage anyone interested in joining our nurses on their weekly walks to contact the nurses directly or to join us at one of the following locations:
CLSC Fort-Coulonge: Wed., at 10 a.m.; contact Jenna Bertrand 1-819-683-3000.
CLSC Otter Lake: Tues., at 9:30 a.m.; contact Brianne Paquette 1-819-647-3851 ext. 3290.
CLSC Quyon: Thurs.,at 9:00 a.m.; contact Katie Taylor 1-819-458-2848 or 1-819-647-4707 ext. 226.
Shawville Lotus Medical Clinic: Wed., at 9:00 a.m.; contact Molly McGuire 1-819-647-4707 ext.225.
Submitted by Katie Taylor on behalf of the Pontiac GMF
