The Eastern Heart and Sole (EH&S) Walking Group is a sports club based in Melbourne, Australia. The club is dedicated to promoting physical activity and walking as a means to improve cardiovascular health and overall well-being.
The EH&S Walking Group is proudly supported by the National Heart Foundation of Australia and is part of a nationwide network of over 600 walking groups. The group aims to build connexions within the community and encourage individuals to walk together towards a healthier heart.
Walking for an average of 30 minutes a day has been proven to lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes by 30 to 40 percent. Additionally, regular walking can help manage weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels, reduce the risk of certain cancers, maintain bone density, and improve balance and coordination, thus reducing the risk of falls and other injuries.
Healthcare professionals can refer their patients to the EH&S Walking Group's structured and supportive walking programme, which complements their care. Whether individuals prefer to walk alone or in a group, the programme's motivational approach is designed to help them meet the national physical activity guidelines.
Testimonials from members of the EH&S Walking Group demonstrate the positive impact walking has had on their health. For example, Maria, a group walker, shared her success story of losing weight, managing her diabetes, and improving her blood pressure through walking.
Joining the EH&S Walking Group is easy. Individuals can join the club's Facebook group to become part of the walking community. They can also search for a walking group within a specific radius and register online. The group's walk organiser will provide all the necessary information to get started.
For those interested in making a larger impact, the EH&S Walking Group encourages individuals to become volunteer walk organisers. These organisers play a vital role in planning walking routes, setting meeting times and locations, and welcoming new members to the group. In return, they receive training, access to an online profile to manage their group, and invitations to events and workshops.
The EH&S Walking Group invites individuals over the age of 18 to join and start walking towards a healthier heart.