Walkers poured in today to the first floor meeting room at the Burien Library/City Hall, for a brief talk followed by a 2.5 mile walk, January’s special “Walk-n-Talk-with-a-Doc.” In spite of an almost-assured downpour, 61 eager people gathered to hear Dr. Michael Schlitt, of Highline Neurosurgery, talk about specific spinal benefits and general health benefits of walking. Dr. Schlitt’s number one prescription to his spine surgery patients is “WALK!”

WNT-Doc Group010613LO

The crowd ranged in age from the twenties to eighties, mostly women (the men were home watching football playoffs), and all were interested in adding walking programs to their lives. The meeting room serves as the Burien City Council chambers, and the room is rarely this full for any council meeting!

Dr.MichaelSchlitt-PortraitLODr. Schlitt talked about the value of movement, proper form when walking, calorie counts and step count goals. At the end of his 20 minute talk, each walker was given a complimentary pedometer by the doctor, along with a written copy of his walking program. WABI Burien also provided its handout “Start Walking for Health and Well-Being”.

After hearing the pep talk from Dr. Schlitt, the large group headed out of the council chambers and west along SW 152nd Street, creating a string of walkers blocks-long through town. We walked west to Seahurst, looped around Lake Burien and back into town.

Upon arriving in Olde Burien, the walkers were treated to a free sampling of teas from Phoenix Tea Shop, including a chai tea and “Yang Xian Mao Feng”, a Chinese green tea. Hot tea was welcomed after a walk on a chilly day. Thank you, Phoenix!

WNT-Doc TeaSipping010613LO

WNT-Doc TeaGathering010613LO

WABI Burien is grateful to Dr. Schlitt, his associates and staff for their passionate support of walking and their willingness to participate in today’s special Walk-n-Talk-with-a Doc.

Thanks, also, to the many walkers that joined in today. We look forward to seeing you at future walks here in Burien.

By the way, there will be TWO walks in February: 1) the usual Walk-n-Talk on Sunday, February 3 and 2) a special, collaborative event, “Seattle Stairway Walk” on Saturday, February 9. Stay tuned for further information here on the WABI web site. READ MORE.

…and it did NOT rain on us today!

• • •

Highline Neurosurgery • Michael Schlitt, MD
16259 Sylvester Rd. SW, Suite 502, Burien WA 98166 • 206-838-7065

Phoenix Teaphoenix-teashop.com
902 SW 152nd Street, Burien WA 98166 • 206-495-7330