‘Walk with a Doc’ health program launches Mishawaka chapter

MISHAWAKA, Ind. (WNDU) - It’s time to get out the walking shoes after a year of sitting at home as a new chapter of ‘Walk with a Doc’ started in Mishawaka Sunday.

This national non-profit brings doctors and patients together for a stroll, and those who met Sunday made a leisurely 2 and a half-mile loop around the Riverwalk.

“It’s not competitive in any way. We’re just trying to get people, especially after a year of being locked up and being very sedentary and physically inactive, we’re just trying to promote a more active lifestyle,” Healthlinc Mishawaka Chiropractor Dr. Josh Majerus said.

Majerus is the walk leader and says getting out and walking can be a great way to get the recommended 30 minutes of daily exercise which may help reduce the risk of many diseases.

“A recent article in the British Medical Journal actually shows that people that met those physical activity guidelines actually have a lower risk of being hospitalized or even dying from COVID. A ton of benefits from becoming physically active,” Majerus said.

The free walks will happen on the first and third Sunday of each month and are open to anyone and everyone.

“I think a lot of us are missing that social connection, and with Healthlinc and our patient population, we see a lot of chronic pain, a lot of anxiety. There are physical benefits with walking and being active, but there are a lot of mental health benefits too,” Majerus said.

Majerus says they are a great way to be able to connect with others beyond just the clinical setting.

“In this setting, we can take off the white coat and the stethoscope and just have a more personal experience with our patients. Put on some good tennis shoes and come out and join us!”

The next Walk with a Doc will be May 2, and for more on how to join, click here.

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