spacious and climate-controlled, they make great year-round walking venues, especially when summer temperatures spike. You don’t even need to put on sunscreen! REST STOPS ABOUND While the average American shopping center isn’t as scenic as the Appalachian Trail, they are far more convenient. Replete with bathrooms, cool drinking water, and plenty of benches, the mall lets you focus on exercising and removes all of the “what ifs” that come with aging. Most malls are also outfitted with EMT kits in the event of a medical emergency. SQUEEZE IN SOME SHOPPING It is still a mall, after all. Why not check a few items off your shopping list or reward yourself with a new pair of sneakers? Getting things done as you exercise makes the experience that much more rewarding. Just remember not to overdo it. Carrying too many shopping bags can place undue stress on your back — and your wallet. YOU WON’T BE ALONE Today, malls are the second-most popular places to walk in America, after neighborhoods. Mall walking has become so big that many communities and senior living centers have put together official groups to stride together. Your local mall may already open early to accommodate walkers. So if you’re looking to make friends in an active, fun-loving community, do some research. Chances are there’s a mall-walking club near you!
These Malls Were Made for Walking
If you’re young at heart and looking to stay (or get) in shape this summer, consider taking a trip to the mall. No, not to pick up some hot new exercise product or dietary supplement, but to walk a few laps. Safe and convenient, “mall walking” has become one of the biggest trends in senior fitness. COOL IN THE SUMMER, WARM IN THE WINTER This time of year, heatstroke can be a real concern when exercising outside. But that doesn’t mean you have to be a homebody. Because malls are
Patient
of the Month
MARLENE WYE MICHAEL J. FOX FOUNDATION
Marlene was chosen as the Patient of the Month because of her determination and hard work during her time in PT. She kept a positive attitude and always had a great sense of humor. We will all miss her teasing of Dr. Patt. And we will miss her troublemaking husband, Ralph, too!
“About one million people in the United States have Parkinson’s disease (PD) and approximately another 60,000 Americans are diagnosed each year. It is thought that 10–15 percent of those diagnosed have Parkinson’s due to genetics — the rest due to the environment. I have Parkinson’s and have found the Fox Foundation to be a great source of information. For every dollar they receive, 89 cents are spent on research.” –Marlene Wye
2 • www.ProPTinc.com | Professional Physical Therapy
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online