In this issue:

• Couch to 5K Walking Program

• Introducing: Topic Pages!

• Parkinson’s Exercise Class

• Free Articles and Videos

• Soft Trail Stroll Schedule

• About Me

The spring Couch to 5K Walking Program begins soon!

If you have ever thought "I really should walk more," now is the time!

I am putting together a group to train for the American Heart Association Heart Walk in May. I will coach you from whatever walking you are (or aren't!) doing now all the way to completing 5k (that's 3.1 miles).

The group will meet online in a Facebook group for discussion and support, and will meet in person in parks around Des Moines and Ankeny for walks of various lengths.

Let me know if you have any questions!

For $60 you get a custom walk journal, an online discussion group, group training walks on paved trails in parks around town, accountability, advice, support, and more. Plus, if you complete the program and the 2025 Central Iowa Heart Walk, I’ll donate $10 to your fundraising page!

I have a new feature on my website!

Topic pages allow you to find articles, videos, and programs related to specific topics more easily.

From my homepage, use the menu in the upper-right corner to choose Topics. Then check out the pages for walking, quilting, stretching, biking, movement snacks, and snow shoveling!

Let me know what topics interest you most.

I was busy last month!

I wrapped up January’s 31 Days of Movement Snacks project with a summary article and compilation video.

February’s project was four videos for heart health. Each video helps you get ten minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, and the companion article discusses why that’s important and offers tips for getting more.

We know that exercise is good for the heart, but how specifically does it benefit? Check out “6 Ways Exercise Benefits Your Heart.”

Spring may be here soon, but there is always a chance of more cold weather before winter is over, right? Check out “How to Dress for Cold Weather.”

Soft Trail Stroll is a series of free walks designed to help people looking for a simple way to become more active, and to increase appreciation of our local soft trails.

Our walks are typically 1.5 to 2.5 miles long. We always set a pace that accommodates everyone present. It’s a stroll! No one is left behind.

Details for each route are available by clicking the graphics below.

If you are on Facebook, join the conversation in our Soft Trail Stroll Facebook group! This group is useful for discussing the weather forecast and meeting locations. After each stroll, it’s a good place to continue conversations and share photos.

Whether you are 55… 75… 30… or any age, you've probably noticed that some things aren't as easy as they used to be. That might be climbing the stairs, putting the heavy platter in the top cupboard, or riding your bike all day.

I can design a program for you that takes into account what you do and improves what you need, so you can succeed at what you want to do.