Blogpost: Membership Group Walk-What a Beautiful Morning in Florida

Today concludes the April walk challenge. We celebrated with a group walk along the Charlotte Harbor. We walked our 5k as the sun came up. There is no better community that a walking or running community in my book. No expectations or judgements. No person left behind. Just a group sharing a positive experience in the open air. We even saw a dolphin and a manatee. Sophie came on the walk because she is much better with other dogs. Three-o had his solo walk before. We had a few more people than those posted as well as a lab named Eric. Our practice has people from multiple states as well as throughout Florida. Some did their walk virtually. This group made a special effort to get outside of their comfort zone and walk with new people. Some made it the whole 30 days walking 5k daily. Others, started back walking, and others increased their frequency.

A person was walking the other way and noticed my shirt that has Jaimela Dulaney MD on it and made the comment that it must be a group of doctors. We laughed because there are very few doctors that would be in a group promoting exercise. The big box medical motto is familiarity breeds contempt with staff and certainly patients. What a world it would be if there were group walks and runs with every medical practice. It would be great for the doctors and patients to be out encouraging each other.

We need community. We need positive support. We need to know we are not alone in our health journeys. By stepping out of our comfort zone, whether that is meeting new people, getting up a little earlier, or pushing our physical limits we will continue to grow and become healthier. It is my hope that more people join in whether in person or virtually and join us as a group of people that just want to be a little healthier and happier through movement. I hope you got your walk in.