For Mall Walkers, Health Is Only One Benefit
Long before department stores open their doors and even before the food court starts prepping for the lunch crowd, indoor malls play host to dozens of walking enthusiasts.
Patch woke up at 7:30 a.m. recently to walk alongside some of the mall regulars and found the most popular reasons why mall walking is great for the mind, body and soul.
Walking for Health: A low impact form of exercise with maximum health benefits.
Jim Dimer, from Orland Park, wouldn’t think of starting his day without a brisk walk through Orland Square. He completes a couple of miles every morning, 6 days a week, and has been doing so since ’94.
“Mall walking keeps you going and revs you up,” says the spry gentleman, belying his age of 83. “I start my day by walking, then going to church.”
Virginia Logan and Roberta Reilly, both from Orland Park, are also Orland Square mall walking regulars. Ms. Logan has a strong family history of high blood pressure and stroke, which she counters with regular cardiovascular exercise. Ms. Reilly, a cancer survivor, agrees, “I do it for my health. It certainly brings up your heart rate.”
Both ladies speak in special mall walking jargon when describing their routine. “Two times round equals a mile. We do four in and outs (walking from one anchor store to another, until you walk past all four anchor stores, four times total) which equals a total of 2 miles.”
Walking for Socialization: Making new life-long friends
After walking many people stay behind to chat and catch up on the day’s headlines, often over a cup of coffee. A lively group does just that regularly, holding court at a long table in front of the Orland Square Starbucks. Mall walking served as the catalyst for their friendship (some dating back to the mid-70s when the mall first opened), but strengthened through the years.
Kay Doenges, social coordinator for the group, is responsible for passing around a card for everyone to sign during birthdays or special occasions.
“And we expect the birthday celebrant to bring treats to share,” jokes George Popelka. He also offered a good social reason for mall walking. “It’s easiest to walk together.”
Walking for Love: Oh, the treasures you find
When Fely Chanico-Manalo started walking in Chicago Ridge’s Westfield Shopping Center just a few years ago, she would often pass Almaquio Polido, a 15-year mall walking regular. They would smile, say hello, and continue on.
Low Impact Exercise - News
Walking for Health: A low impact form of exercise with maximum health benefits. Jim Dimer, from Orland Park, wouldn't think of starting his day without a brisk walk through Orland Square. He completes a couple of miles every morning, 6 days a week,
Tuesdays and Thursdays, Women's exercise class meet at 6:30 pm for low impact exercise. Calvary Baptist. Sunday School Bible Study at 9:30 am and worship at 10:45 am Pastor Randy Brown will preach “Courage that Conquers” from Joshua 1:1-9.
The Jefferson Township Recreation Department is accepting registrations for a new session of its high energy, low-impact "Core" cardio exercise program that will run for eight weeks with spring sessions beginning on Tuesday, April 19.
Aquatic exercise is low impact and people of all ages and fitness levels can benefit from water aerobics. According to the American Council on Exercise, exercising in the water is a well-rounded activity that can encompass cardiovascular fitness,

He and his colleagues found that people who engaged in less vigorous exercise - perhaps doing vigorous activity less frequently, or sticking with low-impact exercise such as golfing or bowling - were no less likely to experience silent strokes.
Low-Impact Exercises for a Start
As the economy continues to put hardships upon the people like you and me you will notice businesses doing the same, and public schools are not exempt. Public schools tighten their finance belt, questions about funding for sports programs, and whether fees for sports and busing are necessary, has been the burning question this year.
Burning calories is what we really need to be doing, especially children. Children are gaining weight at an alarming rate, if we take away the sports programs how will children learn such great mobility skills, how will they burn of the fast food they consume all too readily.
With all that said I need to change gears for a moment and let you know the dangers that lurk are also college sports when the pressure for the "title" or "trophy" leads children into the danger area simply being a sport of good fun for a surge of injuries treated in emergency rooms.
The key to get a sculpted body is to burn that layer of stubborn fat first and then build muscle. Blend your routine assistance in this process, so mixing cardio with strength training to burn fat faster.
There are many reasons people don't ever get started with exercise, what if I told you that if you participated in exercise three times a week a minimum your sex life would improve, you could fight off depression, decreases stress and lower blood pressure, would this be incentive enough?
Many say yes, in fact most say yes however few ever really get started. One of the great motivators is to have an exercise partner, join a club, and or make goals with someone who you look up to- even if they don't exercise with you they can build you up and help keep you on track.
The key is to start, even if it is minimal. Set small achievable goals that will build to success with your final goal. Involve as many people as you need to get the job done successfully, and try to have fun in the process- be in the moment.
If you live a lifestyle that is contrary to your new goals, be gentle with yourself it might take some getting used to, but if you don't give up, so you will have new healthy habits.
Social Service Coordinators is the best health care advocate in the nation!
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We agree! Thanks for your input. RT : I'd also suggest in addition to as a great low-impact .
Too bad you can't swim, swimming is a great low impact exercise. It be great for your knee.
Looking for low impact , find out 'How does yoga compliment other activities, like running, biking or hiking?' Low Impact Exercise - Bookshelf
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Low impact exercise - MyLocalHealth
Low impact cardiovascular exercises generally have low physical risk and are quite effective for general fitness
Low-Impact Aerobic Exercise
Aerobic exercise lessens back pain by increasing the flow of blood and nutrients to back structures and decreasing the stiffness in the back and joints.