Blog
Want the latest in health and walking news? Check out our blogs below.
Walking the talk to get clients and community moving
Exercise Physiologist Hayley Ferguson leads a group of over 300 walkers in Caneland Central Mall, Mackay, Queensland and is a shining example of the immense benefits walking groups offer.
Congratulations and a heartfelt thank you to our Victorian COASTREKKERS!
Walkers from two Victorian based Heart Foundation Walking groups put their heart and sole into a coastal trek to raise funds for the Heart Foundation
Spotlight on the Mernda Walkers: Friendship, fun & a love of walking
Joseph Rechichi has been a Walk Organiser for the South Morang Community Walkers and the Mernda Walkers in Melbourne's northern suburbs for over five years. Here, he talks to us about his groups and perseverance in getting them established and what makes them so enjoyable for all.
Meet the Heart Foundation Walking team
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You only need two people to start a Heart Foundation Walking group, but you need a few more to support a national network of over 650 Walking groups and over 900 volunteer Walk Organisers! Meet the team that are behind our Heart Foundation Walking groups.
Spotlight on Gladyss – community champion of Sydney’s West
Walk Organiser, Rotary Inspirational Women's Award nominee and Blacktown City Volunteer of the Year for the Multicultural Awards - Gladyss wears many hats! She shares the joys of volunteer work and why she invests in her local community.
Rouse Hill Warrior Walkers celebrate 20 years
Walk Organiser Irene shares what makes her group special, tips to form strong bonds in the group and why they're going strong after two decades of strolling together.
5 tips to keep you walking in Winter!
If it's feeling a little crisper where you live or you're travelling to a cooler climate, with a little planning and preparation, you can still enjoy all the benefits walking offers. Here are a few ideas that will keep you walking and staying active during the Winter months.
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An acrostic ode to an amazing group
"Recently our group celebrated ten years. On that occasion I read out a poem which I had written which illustrates the awesomeness of our walking group."
Walking events are back!
We are so excited to share with you some of the fabulous walking events that happened in May.
Our ACT groups are Community Champions
Heart Foundation Walking groups in ACT featured as May 'Community Champions' by MP Andrew Leigh.
The Mindful Walk
When you are out walking, do you find you are able to tune into the present moment and just be out on your walk?
Heart Foundation Walking COVID-19 Safety Plan
While social distancing restrictions ease, it’s important for us all to continue playing our part to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Don’t fall for anything!
One in four people aged over 60 have at least one fall per year, and this increases to one in three over 65. Exercising helps to improve your strength and balance.
The World of Virtual Walking
Find out some more information on how the World of Virtual Walking can help keep you active and motivated while walking during social distancing and isolation.
Looking after your mental health in social isolation
Like many of you, our lives have become more and more detached from the physical world. We’re having coffee with friends on Skype, chatting with our colleagues on Zoom, and texting up a storm with family members. Some of you may be thriving in the virtual world. Many of you may not be. We’ve collated some mental health wellness tips that can help you navigate living in isolation during the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Picnic Perfect Recipes
Take a look at these enticing and healthy picnic recipe ideas and with some added helpful tips!
How to find a Walking Event
Learn how to find a Heart Foundation Walking event near you with this quick tutorial.
Fit Exercise into Family Time
We all want our kids and grandkids to be happy and healthy and to give them a head start in life. We can – by helping them make the best choices when it comes to food and physical activity.
The benefits of exercise on mental health
One in five Australians are affected by mental illness annually, and almost half of all Australians will experience a mental health issue over their lifetime. Mental Health Australia tells us why being active is important for your mental health and shares tips and links for some more information.
Don’t forget to slip, slop, slap, seek and slide
Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, with a least two in three people being diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70. Majority of skin cancers are caused by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the sun.
Who let the dogs out?
In celebration of International Dog Day, we walked with the Burnside Walkers and their pooches!
3 muscles getting a workout while you walk
Most people don’t realise how much of their body they use when walking, it’s more than just the legs and feet! Here are three muscles that you may not know help your walking.
3 surprising reasons men should get moving
This year's Men's Health Week, we motivating more men to get moving and be more active for their health.
What happens in a heart health check?
It's a simple check up that could save your life - find out more about what happens in a heart health check.
Simon leads the way
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A star Walk Organiser, Simon Pitcher, has been recognised for his volunteer services with a ‘Fellow Award of the National Heart Foundation of Australia’.
A walk back in time
This year the Heart Foundation celebrates its 60th birthday, and the Walking program holds a key place of our story.
Keep this in mind for your next walk
What is mindful walking and how can you add mindfulness while out in nature?
We love your feedback
We recently sent out our annual walker survey, and we want to thank you for your responses - we certainly learnt a lot about how our walkers are benefiting from the program.
Put your feet first
Did you know if you walk 10,000 steps in one day the average adults’ foot will shift the weight of a blue whale! That’s a lot of work! So how can you make sure your feet can do the distance?
We heart dogs
We know many of you like to walk with your dog - but did you know your furry friend could be more than just a walking companion?
Australia needs to get moving
With Australia ranking in the bottom half of global physical activity levels, the urgency to get more Australians moving has become even greater.
Many ways to walk
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A secret pathways mapping tool, a digital river walk and a new kind of football team - innovative ideas are shaping the way we are encouraging people to walk.
The best way to see the world
Australia is rugged and enormous, but that has never stopped us exploring it by foot.
5 recipes to boost your walking
Now that you've started walking, you might want to boost your diet to ensure you're getting the right nutrients and healthy sources of sustaining energy.
Walking with friends is good for your heart and head
Good mental health and good overall health go hand-in-hand. Our friends at Beyond Blue explain how group activities, such as walking, potentially offer the best of both worlds: a good dose of regular exercise and time to have fun and build friendships with others.
Australia - what’s your favourite walk?
So what’s your favourite walk? Is it a tour through the grungy laneways of inner city Melbourne or Sydney? Or might it be the Cape Byron walking track, past rainforest, beach and clifftops to the lighthouse that marks Australia’s most easterly point? Will you share your secret stepping spot?
The many wonders of walking
Walking is one of life’s simplest but most versatile activities. Far more than getting you from A to B, it offers a wealth of possibilities for socialising, exploring, and relaxing. Next time you’re stumped for how to pass the time, or you’re hoping to get outside but aren’t quite sure what to do, have a think about the many and varied benefits of putting one foot in front of the other.
5 wow-worthy walks from around the world
Our walkers love exploring the world on foot no matter where they are – from shopping malls and busy pedestrian centres, to bushland parks and wide open spaces. These walks show that just two feet can take you to some extraordinary places.
Nature’s brain booster
We’re always telling ourselves to get off the couch, and many of us know walking is good for the heart. But research is showing that our brains get a boost from walking too.
Hitting the pavement with your pooch
Just as keeping fit and healthy is important for us, it is just as important for our dogs to be exercised to ensure that they stay fit and healthy as well. Not only does walking your dog provide you with some great quality time with your best mate, but it is also a great way to keep both you, and your dog in shape. Keeping dogs fit with regular exercise has many of the same benefits that is does for humans. Maintaining a healthy weight for your pet reduces the onset of problems such as osteoarthritis, by reducing the strain on the joints and also ensuring that the cartilage in the joints remains well-nourished and healthy. Osteoarthritis is a major problem in dogs, especially as they age, and weight control has a significant positive impact on management of the disease.
Hints and Tips for Safer Walking
Heart Foundation Walking happens all around Australia, with people walking in parks, neighbourhoods, workplaces, beaches and even in shopping centres! Wherever you are, it is important to keep safe. Consider walks that have appropriate lighting and suitable terrain for all fitness levels, access to drink fountains, and seating for people to rest.
Winners go the extra mile for healthy hearts
A 90-year-old Port Macquarie walker described as a ‘pocket rocket’, a Townsville walking group coordinator, and a Rylstone walk organiser catering for special-needs walkers have won this year’s Golden Shoe Awards.
Look after your feet first
There’s a reason why our feet are often called the ‘mirror to health’. The condition of our feet can provide an early indicator of common health conditions such as diabetes, arthritis and circulatory disease. Early stages of nerve damage can sometimes be identified in your feet.