The Downtown Chatham Centre Mall Walker program is a friendly community of people looking to regain or maintain an active lifestyle in a safe, indoor environment. Membership is free! Participants wanting to join the Mall Walkers are requested to sign a release waiver at the Mall Walkers Club House on the upper level.

Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Sunday 11:00 a.m. to noon

1.   Walking prevents type 2 diabetes.

The Diabetes Prevention Program showed that walking 150 minutes per week and losing 7% of your body weight (12-15 pounds) can reduce your risk of diabetes by 58%.

2.   Walking is good for your brain.

In a study on walking and cognitive function, researchers found that women who walked the equivalent of an easy pace at least 1.5 hours per week had significantly better cognitive function and less cognitive decline than women who walked less than 40 minutes per week.

3.   Walking helps alleviate symptoms of depression.

Walking for 30 minutes, three to five times per week for 12 weeks reduced symptoms of depression (as measured with a standard depression questionnaire) by 47%.

4.   Walking improves fitness.

Walking just three times a week for 30 minutes can significantly increase cardio respiratory fitness. You burn just as many calories “fitness walking” as you do running.

5. Walking improves physical function.

Research shows that walking improves fitness and physical function and prevents physical disability.

tips found on www.medicinenet.com