Walking Stories

Sometimes the best way to recharge your batteries is to exchange inspiration with others. Take a look at how others are walking in Nova Scotia.

You can even share a story of your own. Send us or your friends a quick walking message with our e-card and spread some energy. Or email us your longer story and we might feature it to inspire others!

Read other inspiring stories

One step at a time

Treka Burke knows all too well how difficult it is to juggle a young family, a full time job and a healthy active lifestyle. Yet she is very committed to achieving that goal. Treka is the Primary Health Care Coordinator at Dr. Kingston Memorial Medical Clinic in L'Ardoise. While she sees daily the results of an inactive lifestyle, she tries to be a support for herself and for others.

In addition to her active involvement with the Project Heart Smart for high riskcardiac patients, she is also involved with Heart&Stroke Helping Hearts and Move More.

When Treka heard about Heart&Stroke Walkabout^TM , she knew the program was just what she had been looking for in her community. "Even as a kid in high school, I walked." Treka reports. "We did the loop in L'Ardoise every day." Treka became a Heart&Stroke Walkabout^TM leader and organized a walking group in her community.

Treka quickly realized that, just like in high school, the social aspect of walking was one that would make it work for her group; she also knew that having a pedometer to log the group steps could inspire the group to keep moving.

Lead by Treka, the East Richmond Walkabouts are a dedicated walking group. They meet twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and, unless it is very stormy, walk in all weather. "Of course, it is always a challenge to [find] a time convenient for everyone, but most of the members are very committed and will come no matter what to meet up with their friends. And, in good weather, they bring their friends along," said Treka.

For Treka, it's important to be active for both herself and for her children; she realizes that her children need a good role model to inspire them to be active since her family has a history of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and kidney disease. In addition to playing Wii Fit with her children, Treka also supports their own involvement in activity in addition to setting an example through her participation in a Ladies Hockey team and yoga.

Treka's thoughts on motivating herself and others; just get out some music and walk.

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"I walk back and forth to work every day - two miles each way. For me, it's a great way to stay active without having to go to a gym. A brisk walk to work in the morning does more wonders than any cup of coffee ever could!"
-Lisa, 24, Halifax

"For me, walking is therapeutic. Work causes me stress at times, but getting out for a 30 minute stroll during my lunch hour really calms my nerves. I come back to the office feeling rejuvenated and ready to get back to work."
-Nancy, 40, Dartmouth

"My favorite thing to do is kick back with a good book. Although this is good for the brain, it's not so great for the waistline. Now, I just throw an audiobook on my ipod and I hit the walking track! Great way to stay in shape while still getting my read on like old times."
-Paul, 32, Spryfield

"My best friend Jane and I really love to chat. We can easily spend hours on the phone, catching up with all the latest gossip. When we were both feeling down on ourselves about our health, we decided to make a change. From then on, if we wanted to chat, we'd have to do it as we walked. We now go for an hour walk every night, and you wouldn't believe how fast the time flies. Sometimes we don't want to stop by the end of it because the conversation is too juicy! We've been doing it for a few months now. We both feel so much better about ourselves and have even lost a few!"
-Sharon, 28, Halifax

"I have never finished a walk or a run that I did not feel better physically and mentally than when I started. It is my form of meditation."
- Bill McInnis, Bridgewater