It's time to lace up your shoes for the good of your health and the wellbeing of others living in South Delta.
Carol Benson-Hitch, owner of CFS-Carol's Fitness Solutions, has organized a Valentine's Day walk in support of the South Delta Food Bank.
Benson-Hitch, a certified urban poling rehabilitation and wellness instructor, as well as personal trainer, offers group, private and semi-private classes using Nordic walking poles.
"The benefits of using poles when walking are many," says Benson-Hitch. "They include recruiting at least 90 per cent more muscles than just walking alone, improving your cardiovascular system, reducing stress and strain on knees and hips, and helping individuals with balance issues." Benson-Hitch shared the idea of offering a walking clinic to benefit the Ladner-based food bank with participants during a session last fall. Initially, she wanted to organize it for the Christmas season but the walkers in her group suggested Valentine's Day.
Benson-Hitch thought it was a great idea.
"The food bank needs donations all year long, not just at Christmas. Valentine's Day is a perfect time for the community to show its love to the food bank."
Cupid's Walk for Health will take place on Saturday, Feb. 14 at 10 a.m. Walkers are asked to arrive between 9:30 and 9:50 a.m. "We want to collect non-perishable food items and/or monetary donations well ahead of the walk," says Benson-Hitch.
The hour-long session consists of a warm-up, walking on flat roads, possibly the dike, and a low-grade hill ending with stretches.
"You don't have to use walking poles but they're welcome, along with leashed dogs and all two-legged creatures," says Benson-Hitch.
Walkers are encouraged to wear a bit of red to celebrate the day.
She will meet all walkers outside Petra's Arts Kafe on 12th Avenue in Tsawwassen. The walk happens rain or shine and registration is not required.
For more information about
Cupid's Walk for Health, email [email protected],
visit www.facebook.com/carolsfitnesssolutions or call 604-339-5985.
