TRURO, N.S. — Putting one foot in front of the other is the best medicine for Annie Archibald.
As a senior in her eighties, Archibald has high blood pressure and an underactive thyroid gland, but weekly walks with Bible Hill doctor Stephen Ellis are keeping her in shape. Ellis has also given her tips on what medicines to take and the best knee brace for her to use, which she later picked up at the pharmacy.
“It keeps me mobile, I’m able to do most of my own work and it gives me a positive attitude,” said Archibald, from Brentwood. “I just feel great.”
Archibald joined about 40 other people for ‘Walk with a Doc’ at the Rath Eastlink Community Centre in Truro on Jan. 4. The Saturday morning sessions are resuming after construction along the RECC’s indoor walking track was completed just before Christmas.
Ellis explained to the group how walking can improve heart health and help prevent conditions like osteoporosis, or weakening of the bones. They then set off along the walking track.
Walker Carol Smith enjoys the social aspect of Walk with a Doc. She was diagnosed with lung fibrosis four years ago, which can cause shortness of breath.
But she walked and talked happily with Archibald on the RECC’s indoor walking track.
“It gets you out and there’s a lot of other people to talk to and associate with,” said Smith, 79.
Ellis echoed Smith’s point, saying such group activities were key to combatting both loneliness and rising obesity rates.
As a result, people who enjoyed the weekly walks stayed away until the sessions resumed this month.
“You see they’re happy to see each other again,” said Ellis. “You can really see the difference in people.”
He said Walk with a Doc keeps people both active and accountable to each other, as anyone who misses a session will be asked where they were the previous week.
Raj Makkar, healthcare manager at the Colchester East Hants Health Centre, urged people to invite their friends.
“[Myself and Ellis] both would love to see this track and this facility packed with as many people as possible,” said Makkar. “It’s the greatest gift you can give yourself – by getting up and moving.”
Walk with a Doc runs every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the RECC’s walking track at 625 Abenaki Rd. It is free and all are welcome.
