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Part 2

Walking: A good step to better health

[JULY 12, 2001]  Walking is great for the body and mind, the cheapest exercise around and also one of the easiest forms of exercise a person can do.

[Click here for Part 1]

According to the U.S. Public Health Service, before you start any fitness routine, it’s a good idea to visit your physician for a checkup, just in case you have any underlying health conditions that need monitoring. Once you get the go-ahead, wear comfortable clothing and shoes to make your walk as pleasant as possible and to avoid serious injuries.

Once you have your gear ready, start slowly and do only what feels comfortable. Results can be seen with only 20 to 30 minutes of walking a day, three times a week.

Once you have the right attire and the right attitude, approach walking wisely to get an effective workout. Stretch before and after your walk to prevent muscle cramps. Start slow, walking with your back straight, toes pointed forward and chin up. With each step, plant your heel down first and push off with your toes. Move your arms to give yourself more momentum and to tone arm muscles. You can even carry a couple of dumbbells and do arm curls while you walk.

Experts say you can use the "talk test" to determine if you’re exercising at the proper pace. You should be able to carry on a conversation without gasping for air. Finish your workout by slowing down to a casual stroll and ending with a stretch.

 

Studies also show that incorporating moderate- to high-intensity spurts into your workout not only helps you burn fat four times faster but also brings new life to an old routine and keeps your body from plateauing — getting so accustomed to a particular workout that it loses its effectiveness. To interval train, walk three minutes at your regular pace (brisk, yet comfortable), then walk faster for a full minute by lengthening your stride and swinging your arms harder. Return to your regular pace for three minutes, then walk fast for one minute. You can do this combination throughout your workout.

 

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Varying the intensity level of each interval is also helpful. For example, walk faster the first one-minute interval. The second interval, walk up a small hill or a few flights of stairs or increase the incline on the treadmill. On the third interval, jog or sprint if you can and repeat the different levels during your walk.

Also, when walking outdoors, consider the effects of the environment on your body, especially during the summer. The sun can affect your endurance, so you may not perform as well on a blistering hot day. Experts advise walking during cooler periods, such as early morning or at dusk, and carrying water and drinking it frequently, even if you’re not thirsty.

Many people find that walking in shady areas or air-conditioned shopping malls is an easy alternative to fighting the outdoor conditions.

A regular walking plan can provide major health benefits. A recent study by the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health found that post-menopausal women who started a walking program 10 to 15 years ago as part of a clinical trial reported fewer cases of heart disease and half as many hospitalizations compared with
women in the trial who did not walk.

Walking has been proven to be a good choice of exercise for people of all ages, and experts say that walking is a good foundation for any fitness program and an excellent alternative when you can’t make it to the gym. Even if you’ve never exercised before, or started and stopped, walking could be your best prescription for fitness.

[Penny Zimmerman-Wills]


Part 1

Walking: A good step to better health

[JULY 7, 2001]  Gary "Skip" Dobey of Elkhart dons his walking shoes several times a week for a mile-and-a-half trek. But walking wasn’t always part of his daily routine.

Benefits of walking

(source: U.S. Public Health Service)

*  Increases your energy

*  Makes you feel better

*  Helps relieve tension and helps you relax

*  Reduces stress

*  Helps you sleep better

*  Tones your muscles

*  Controls your appetite

*  Burns calories

Even though the 57-year-old now says walking makes him feel better, he admits health reasons forced him to take up the exercise. Last Thanksgiving, Dobey had heart bypass surgery. After three months of recovery, he took his doctor’s advice and began walking toward a healthier lifestyle.

"It’s not my favorite thing to do," said Dobey. "It’s not one of my favorite pastimes, but you have to do what you have to do. I walk fast to get my heartbeat up. I feel better. You can tell a difference in the way you feel."

Dobey is just one of millions of Americans who have found walking to be their preferred form of exercise. Walking is the most popular exercise in the country today because it’s easy, convenient and can be done anywhere, anytime. It’s a safe, low-impact activity that’s easy on the body and an excellent form of exercise for senior citizens because of the minimal risk to muscles and joints.

How to walk

Walking the right way is important to avoid injuries.

* Walk with your chin up and shoulders held slightly back.

* Walk so the heel of your foot touches the ground first. Roll your weight forward.

* Walk with your toes pointed forward.

* Make sure you wear comfortable shoes and cushioned socks.

Dobey, who enjoys walking outside during warm weather months, said he walked at
the hospital during his recovery and later at the local Wal-Mart store and at home on a treadmill during the cold winter months. He plans to continue his new exercise regime, which includes weight machines and bicycling, this winter.

"Sometimes I don’t want to walk, but after I get going and start doing it, you feel better. It’s hard to discipline yourself that you have to do it," he added.

Medical experts claim walking just 30 minutes a day three times every week can produce great benefits for your body, especially when combined with healthy eating. Walking lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels, stimulates circulation and
reduces the risk of heart attack, heart disease and stroke. It boosts your immune system, metabolism and endurance, while strengthening your bones, toning muscles, prompting weight loss and helping you sleep better.

In addition to the physical benefits, walking has
important psychological effects. It decreases stress and tension, relieves depression and improves both your mood and your self-image.

 

 

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Tips for your walking program

It’s important to design a program that will work for you. In planning your walking program, keep the following points in mind:

* Choose a safe place to walk. Find a partner or group of people to walk with.

* Wear shoes with thick, flexible soles to cushion your feet and absorb shock.

* Wear clothes right for the season. Cotton clothes in summer help keep you cool by absorbing sweat and allowing it to evaporate. Layer clothing in the winter and take layers off as you warm up.

* Stretch before you walk.

* Walk in three parts: slowly for five minutes at the beginning and end of your walk to warm up and cool down and at a faster pace in between.

* Try to walk a minimum of three times a week.

"Men tend to think that they work hard and walk (at work) all week, but that’s not the same kind of exercise," said Dobey, who has been an Eaton Corporation employee for 37 years.

"Sometimes I come home from the plant and I don’t feel like doing it. I think to myself that I put in eight hours and I’m tired. But that’s a different kind of exercise; it’s not the same as continuous exercise to get your heart rate up," he said. 

A study by the American Council on Exercise shows that a brisk walk can even help improve your memory. A new study of older adults found that those who walked about 45 minutes, three times per week for six months performed substantially better on several cognitive tasks than those who did stretching or strengthening exercises. Not only did the walkers perform better on tests that gauged their ability to plan, establish schedules and switch between tasks, they also showed significant improvement in oxygen consumption. Previous studies have also shown a link between lifelong exercise and a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Medical experts say that people who can’t even walk under normal conditions can walk in a swimming pool using flotation devices to strengthen their muscles.

Walking also is part of the rehabilitation program for many heart attack and stroke sufferers.

Not only is walking great for the body and mind, it’s also the cheapest exercise around. All you need is a pair of comfortable shoes, cushioned socks and you’re ready to go. And you can walk up and down your stairways, around the neighborhood, at one of the local parks, inside at the gym or on a treadmill.

Not only does it ease the mind and tone the body, it’s also one of the easiest forms of exercise a person can do.

(To be continued)

[Penny Zimmerman-Wills]

[Click here for Part 2]

More resources  (source: Walking Magazine)

American College of Sports Medicine
P.O. Box 1440
Indianapolis, IN 46206-1440
Website: www.acsm.org

Appalachian Trail Conference
799 Washington St.
Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
Website: www.atconf.org

American Council on Exercise
5820 Oberlin Drive
San Diego, CA 92121-3787
Website: www.acefitness.org

American Volkssport Association
1001 Pat Booker Road, Suite 101
Universal City, TX 78148
Website: www.ava.org

American Discovery Trail Society
P.O. Box 20155
Washington, DC 20041-2155
Phone: (800) 663-2387 or (703) 753-0149
Website: www.discoverytrail.org


Health Matters

Childhood lead poisoning is preventable

[JULY 2, 2001]  We will observe National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week July 19-25. One of the most common preventable pediatric health problems in the United States today is lead poisoning. Lead poisoning is simply the presence of too much lead in the body and is caused by exposure to lead that is eaten or breathed in the form of dust.

As we have come to a greater understanding of the effects of lead poisoning, crucial legislation has been passed to decrease the amount of lead in the environment. As a result, few children suffer from the serious physical effects of lead poisoning. However, many children continue to be exposed to low doses of lead that can result in more subtle but still serious health problems. Even at low doses of exposure, a child may suffer from developmental delay, lower IQ, hyperactivity, learning disability or hearing impairment. Since children who have elevated blood lead levels may have no observable symptoms, parents may be unaware of the problem until the damage has been done.

People at any age can get lead poisoning, but children are at the greatest risk. The primary source of lead exposure for children is lead-based paint. It is estimated that lead-based paint is present in 74 percent of all homes built before 1978. Lead dust accumulates in cracks over the life of a house. Where you can see chipping paint, there is always lead dust. Children are most likely to swallow lead dust simply because they are closer to the ground, and they frequently place hands or other objects in their mouths. Certain activities such as opening and closing windows can create an aerosol so that children can inhale the lead dust.

Other sources of lead include imported crayons and miniblinds, improperly glazed pottery, the solder that connects water pipes, and some folk remedies. Certain hobbies such as stained glass, target shooting or furniture refinishing carry a risk for lead exposure. Adults with certain occupations are exposed to lead. These include construction workers and auto repair workers as well as others. Workers can unknowingly carry lead dust home from the workplace and expose their families. Children of people who remodel their own homes are at very high risk for lead exposure. Lead has also been deposited in the soil from leaded gasoline and lead paint. Since lead is not biodegradable, once deposited in the soil it stays there.

The only method to diagnose lead poisoning is by a blood test. In 1995 the Illinois Department of Public Health designated areas of high and low risk for lead poisoning throughout the state. This was done by ZIP code. Those children living in areas determined to be low risk can be assessed by using a set of questions designed to determine the risk of lead poisoning to that particular child. Children who are high-risk as determined by the questionnaire and those who live in a high-risk ZIP code area need a blood test.

 

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According to Illinois law, all children 6 months through 6 years of age must be assessed for lead poisoning one time before entering day care, preschool or kindergarten. The American Academy of Pediatrics, however, recommends yearly assessment, especially at 1 and 2 years of age, as these children are at the highest risk for central nervous system impairment.

Lead poisoning can be prevented by taking some simple precautions. These include:

  • Keeping children away from peeling or chipping paint.

  • Washing floors, countertops and windowsills at least weekly with a phosphate-based detergent.

  • Feeding children a diet high in iron, calcium and Vitamin C, low in fat, and offering healthy snacks throughout the day.

  • Using proper procedure when renovating or remodeling, and keeping children and pregnant women out of the work area until renovations are complete and the area has been cleaned.

  • Washing a child’s hands, face and toys often.

  • Allowing the cold water to run for several minutes in the morning before using it and using only cold water for drinking, cooking and preparing infant formula.

  • Removing shoes when coming indoors so that lead dust is not tracked inside the house.

  • Laundering work clothes separately when in an occupation that carries a high risk for lead exposure.

  • Never storing food in pottery made outside of the United States.

  • Planting grass to reduce a child’s exposure to lead in the soil.

For more information on childhood lead poisoning or for information on how to have your child assessed for lead exposure, call the Logan County Health Department at (217) 735-2317 or ask your health-care provider.

[Logan County Health Department news release]


Honors & Awards


Announcements

ALMH calendar of events for July

[JUNE 30, 2001]   

Senior Sunday — July 1, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Reservations required. Call 732-2161, Ext. 195.

Free blood pressure screenings — July 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26 and 31, 9 a.m. to noon, first floor waiting area. No appointment necessary.

Congestive heart failure and diabetes support group — Monday, July 16, 7 p.m., Conference Room A. Call (217) 732-2161, Ext. 443 for more information.

Breast Cancer Awareness — Tuesday, July 17, 7 p.m., Conference Room A. Call (217) 732-2161, Ext. 443 for more information.

 

 

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Pain management service — July 9 and 23, on fourth floor. Physician referral required. Call (217) 732-2161, Ext.403 or 444 for more information.

Laser clinic — Thursday, July 12, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., on fourth floor. Call (217) 732-2161 Ext. 243 for more information.

Always In Our Hearts bereavement support group — Thursday, July 26, 1 to 3 p.m., fifth floor physicians lounge. Call (217) 732-2161, Ext. 405 for more information.

Parkinson’s support group — Monday, July 23, 7 p.m., Conference Room A. Call (217) 732-2161, Ext. 427 for more information.

[ALMH news release]


Mobile health unit schedule

The Rural Health Partnership has announced the schedule for its mobile health unit. Effective Feb. 1, 2001, the unit will run as follows:

 

Morning: 9-11 a.m.

 

 

Afternoon: 1-3:30 p.m.

Monday

1st and 3rd

Hartsburg

1st and 3rd

Emden

 

2nd and 4th

San Jose

2nd and 4th

Greenview

Tuesday

Weekly

Chestnut

Weekly

Mount Pulaski

Wednesday

Weekly

New Holland

Weekly

Middletown

Thursday

1st, 2nd, 3rd

Elkhart

Weekly

Atlanta

4th

Friendship Manor-Lincoln

Friday

1st, 2nd, 4th

Latham

1st

Beason

     

2nd and 4th

Broadwell

 

3rd

Maintenance/ special events

3rd

Maintenance/
special events

The mobile health unit does not operate on the following dates/holidays during 2001:  Feb. 19 (President’s Day), April 13 (Good Friday), May 28 (Memorial Day), July 4 (Independence Day), Sept. 3 (Labor Day), Oct. 8 (Columbus Day), Nov. 12 (Veterans Day), Nov. 22-23 (Thanksgiving break), and Dec. 24 - Jan. 1, 2002 (Christmas break).

For more information on the mobile health unit schedule and services, contact Dayle Eldredge at (217) 732-2161, Ext. 409.


This family resource list to save and use is provided by the Healthy Communities Partnership (732-2161, Ext. 409) and the Healthy Families Task Force.         

Resources for Logan County families

Agency

Phone number

Address

911

911 (Emergencies)
732-3911 (Office -- non-emergency)

911 Pekin St.
Lincoln, IL 62656

Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital

732-2161

315 Eighth St.
Lincoln, IL 62656

Aging (Department of)

785-3356

421 E. Capitol, #100
Springfield, IL 62701-1789

American Cancer Society

546-7586 (24 hour)

1305 Wabash, Ste. J
Springfield, IL 62704

American Red Cross

732-2134
1-800-412-0100

125 S. Kickapoo
Lincoln, IL 62656

Catholic Social Services

732-3771

310 S. Logan
Lincoln, IL 62656

Chamber of Commerce

735-2385

303 S. Kickapoo St.
Lincoln, IL 62656

Community Action (CIEDC)

732-2159

1800 Fifth St.
Lincoln, IL 62656

Community Child Care Connection

525-2805
1-800-676-2805

1004 N. Milton Ave.
Springfield, IL 62702-443

Crisis Pregnancy Center

735-4838

513 Pulaski St.
Lincoln, IL 62656

DCFS (Department of Children & Family Services)

735-4402
1-800-252-2873
(crisis hotline)

1100 Keokuk St.
Lincoln, IL 62656

Heartland Community College GED Program

735-1731

620 Broadway St.
Lincoln, IL 62656

Hospice Care of Illinois

1-800-342-4862
(24 hour)
732-2161, Ext. 444

720 N. Bond
Springfield, IL 62702

Housing Authority

732-7776
732-6312 (24 hour)

1028 N. College St.
Lincoln, IL 62656

Illinois Breast & Cervical Cancer Program

735-2317
1-800-269-4019

LCHD - 109 Third St.
Lincoln, IL 62656

Illinois Department of Public Health

782-4977

535 W. Jefferson
Springfield, IL 62761

Illinois Employment and Training Center (replaces JTPA office)

735-5441

120 S. McLean St., Suite B
Farm Bureau Building
Lincoln, IL 62656

Legal Assistance Foundation

(217) 753-3300
1-800-252-8629

730 E. Vine St., Ste. 214
Springfield, IL 62703

Library - Atlanta

(217) 648-2112

100 Race St.
Atlanta, IL 61723

Library - Elkhart

(217) 947-2313

121 E. Bohan
Elkhart, IL 62634

Library - Lincoln

732-8878

725 Pekin St.
Lincoln, IL 62656

Library - Mount Pulaski

792-5919

320 N. Washington
Mount Pulaski, IL 62548

Lincoln Area YMCA

735-3915

319 W. Kickapoo St.
Lincoln, IL 62656

Lincoln/Logan Food Pantry

732-2204

P.O. Box 773
Lincoln, IL 62656

Lincoln Parents’ Center

735-4192

100 S. Maple
Lincoln, IL 62656

Lincoln Park District

732-8770

1400 Primm Rd.
Lincoln, IL 62656

Logan County Department of Human Services (Public Aid)

735-2306

1550 Fourth St., P.O. Box 310
Lincoln, IL 62656

Logan County Health Department

735-2317

109 Third St., P.O. Box 508
Lincoln, IL 62656

Logan Mason Mental Health

735-2272
1-888-832-3600
(crisis line)

304 Eighth St.
Lincoln, IL 62656

Logan-Mason Rehabilitation Center

735-1413

760 S. Postville Dr.
Lincoln, IL 62656

Oasis (Senior Citizens of Logan County)

732-6132

501 Pulaski St.
Lincoln, IL 62656

Project READ

735-1731

620 Broadway St.
Lincoln, IL 62656

Salvation Army

732-7890

1501 N. Kickapoo
Lincoln, IL 62656

Senior Services of Central Illinois

732-6213
1-800-252-8966
(crisis line)

109 Third St.
Lincoln, IL 62656

Sojourn Shelter & Service Inc.

732-8988
(217) 726-5200 (24-hour hotline)

1800 Westchester Blvd.
Springfield, IL 62704

U. of I. Division of Specialized Care for Children

524-2000

1-800-946-8468

421 S. Grand Ave. West, 2nd Floor
Springfield, IL 62704

U. of I. Extension Service

732-8289

122 S. McLean St.
Lincoln, IL 62656

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