Walk With A Doc

💚 Let's set the record straight.

Walking doesn't have to be fast, long, or perfect to make a difference. Every step counts, and small amounts of movement can add up to meaningful health benefits.

👟 Which walking myth surprised you the most?

Tell us in the comments below!

And if you haven't taken a walk today, consider this your sign to get outside and move. 🌿

Good morning!

Happy Friday, my friend.

🌱 One of my favorite questions to ask patients is how they like to stay active.

This time of year, one answer comes up again and again: gardening.

And every time I hear it, my heart sings a little.

Gardening is one of those rare activities that seems to do just about everything right.

💚 It helps us manage stress.
🍅 It encourages healthier eating.
🧠 It may help protect our brains.
☀️ It helps us make Vitamin D.
👟 And yes, it counts as exercise.

Gardening involves squatting, lifting, reaching, carrying, digging, pulling, pushing, and walking.

Basically, it's a long athletic game of Twister, only with weeds and rutabagas.

It also creates social connection. Community gardens are wonderful places to share knowledge, swap stories, and build friendships.

Whatever you choose, there's something deeply satisfying about planting a seed, tending to it, and watching it grow.

I hope you have a wonderful, green weekend.

— Dr. Sabgir 🌿

Read the full newsletter here: https://walkwithadoc.org/2026/06/gardening/

🌟 Featured WWAD Chapter 🌟

Grundy County Memorial Hospital has been walking the walk since 2016, continually finding creative ways to meet people where they are and make movement more accessible in their community.

Over the years, their Walk with a Doc program has taken many forms. Before the hospital’s beautiful LiveWell Loop walking path existed, leaders used Walk with a Doc to introduce community members to the county’s Pioneer Nature Trail, encourage families to explore the local Story Book Walk, engage parents waiting outside dance practice, and even connect with fairgoers by walking through the cattle barns at the county fair.

Today, the program has developed a strong core group of repeat attendees while continuing to welcome new walkers each year. Hosting walks on the hospital campus has also opened the door for more hospital staff members to participate, further strengthening the sense of community and connection that has become a hallmark of the program.

After a decade, Grundy County Memorial Hospital continues to prove that meaningful health promotion doesn’t always happen inside clinic walls, sometimes it happens on trails, sidewalks, fairgrounds, and walking loops shared together.

Learn more about their walk here: https://walkwithadoc.org/join-a-walk/locations/grundy-county-iowa/

We all need a place where we feel connected, supported, and seen. In this week’s newsletter, Dr. Sabgir reflects on the importance of finding your “Third Space”, those meaningful places beyond home and work that help us thrive through movement, conversation, and community: https://walkwithadoc.org/2026/05/third-space

What's your third space?

We’re excited to celebrate Lifestyle Medicine Week!

Across the globe, our Walk with a Doc leaders are stepping outside the clinic to walk alongside their communities, building meaningful relationships, sharing evidence-based health information, and helping make healthy living more accessible, social, and sustainable.

They aren't just talking about lifestyle medicine; they’re modeling it in their community, one step at a time.

If you're new to lifestyle medicine, learn more at https://lifestylemedicine.org (American College of Lifestyle Medicine)

Learn how you can start or join a Walk with a Doc program at https://walkwithadoc.org