Green way to get around

By Kath Gannaway
THE Healesville chiropractor with the long stride is a walker … by name and nature.
And, on Walk To Work Day, last Friday, Dr Paul Walker was keeping up the habit of a decade.
Falling into step with The Heart Foundation, The Cancer Council Australia, Diabetes Australia and the Australian Conservation Foundation, Dr Walker said walking is good in lots of ways.
If he needs a reason to walk to work, he has two …
“Because it’s not far, and I’m a health-conscious kind of guy,” he quipped.
“Any physical activity is good for your bones – walking is good for everything – mind, body and soul.”
Trevor Shilton, national physical activity manager of the Heart Foundation agrees.
“Including a half-hour walk in your daily routine is an excellent way to increase your physical activity.
“Plus it costs nothing and literally, walking takes you places,” he said.
Diabetes Australia CEO, Matt O’Brien encouraged people to start walking to work because a healthy active lifestyle can prevent type 2 diabetes in up to 70 per cent of cases and can improve the management of all types of diabetes.
Professor Ian Olver, CEO of the Cancer Council, said walking was a great way to improve health and wellbeing … and is both easy and free.
“Regular, vigorous activity like brisk walking and a healthy diet can help prevent up to 25 per cent of all cancers,” he said.
In addition to aiming for better health, Walk to Work Day is also about creating a cleaner environment.
Elle Morrell from the Australian Conservation Foundation said by choosing to leave the car at home, or even walking part of the way, Australians would be doing something positive for the environment.
“It’s a healthier, cleaner way of getting around,” she said.
Dr Walker not only walks to work … and home again.
“On most days I walk home for lunch as well,” he said.