For the past two years, the Pittsburgh, Pa.-based nonprofit, Variety the Children’s Charity, has been running “My Bike,” an initiative that provides customized, adaptive bicycles to children with disabilities.
The biggest principle for fitness is “Use it or lose it,” but research has shown that older adults tend to focus on positivity more than younger adults…so perhaps for this age group, it’s best to say, “Use it and keep going strong!”
Eight years ago, I found myself in a dire situation—heading home from 17 days of hospitalization after suffering a heart attack and undergoing triple coronary bypass surgery. My cardiologist and primary care physician sounded alarms that I would find myself back in the emergency room if I continued my sedentary habits and did not address my almost 300-pound weight.
In this post, as RTC continues our month-long focus on Washington State, we are pleased to explore a local community's transformation into a more walkable and bikeable place, and the nostalgic passion of one local champion who put the gears in motion.
Chickaro Martin and RTC recently teamed up to work with students at D.C. Prep School on ways they can incorporate the Metropolitan Branch Trail—which runs right by their playground—into their play time and daily routines.
A relaxed bicycle ride on the beach | Photo courtesy Kim Seng, CC by 2.0
In celebration of Valentine’s Day, we'd like to take the opportunity to focus on emotional heart health, which recently has been proven and recognized as having a profound impact on physical heart health in a number of different ways…for example, did you know…?
As we lead up to Valentine’s Day in our American Heart Month series, RTC is pleased to share this story by guest contributor Marcia Laus of how—after losing a son to epilepsy and battling severe health problems—she (55) and her husband Rick (58) are rebuilding their lives and repairing their hearts on America’s trails.
Active aging is essential to healthy aging, according to the CDC. But, as this blog tells us, ensuring seniors have access to opportunities for physical activity is, and must be, a community-wide effort.
In the past decade, much research has been published about the effects of socioeconomic imbalances on health and wellness. In observance of American Heart Month, RTC is pleased to present this post by Dr. Ted Eytan, which discusses a factor that health professionals attribute as being particularly relevant to the short- and long-term health of communities: walkability.
RTC staff work tirelessly around the country on projects that open up opportunities for children and their families to get outside, get active and ultimately be together. We believe that trails are one of those special places where families can not only spend quality time together, which is so important, but also allow for that special time to be spent making every family member healthier through movement.
Here at Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, we understand the undeniably important connection between our nation’s vast trail systems and our nation’s heart health. And it’s this connection that has inspired us to join and help lead this conversation, this February and year-round, to fight for healthier communities across America.
