February is Heart Health month so it's not too early to register for Senior Services of Alexandria's next speaker series: "Heart Health and Fitness for Seniors." This event is co-sponsored with Inova Alexandria Hospital on Wednesday, Feb. 13 from 9:30 a.m. - noon.
Attendees will get practical information on "12 Weeks to a Heart Healthy Lifestyle," from Dr. Maria Cristina Castillo-Catoni, a primary care physician board certified in Internal Medicine with the Inova Medical Group at Mark Center. Castillo’s focus as a primary care provider is on optimizing each patient’s healthcare experience. She believes that establishing trust-based relationships and providing counseling and support to her patients and their family members is the first step to creating an ideal wellness plan at any stage in life.
Attendees will also learn to separate fact from fiction about healthy foods and get an introduction to the new Robust Walking Program designed by fitness guru, Dr. Dan Kulund.
Kulund is a board certified orthopedic surgeon and a member of the City of Alexandria's Commission on Aging. Robust walking is a low-intensity version of the exercises practiced by President Theodore Roosevelt on the White House grounds in the early 1900s. A robust walker inserts exercises into a walk using environmental objects, such as benches, walls, poles and trees as props. Alexandria is the first city in the country to introduce this innovative walking program that will get your heart pumping as you walk through our beautiful city.
You'll also enjoy sampling a delicious food demonstration of hearty healthy options for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
This free event is open to the community. You can register by visiting SSA's website, www.seniorservicesalex.org or call 703-836-4414, ext. 10. You won't want to miss it.
MaryAnne Beatty
Administrator, Senior Services of Alexandria