I had heard about a group that walked every Saturday morning. So I went to Hagen Park to see if I would like to join them.
 
The first time I walked with the Saturday walk group was about a year and a half ago. I weighed 252 lbs. that first day and I really needed to find a way to help me lose some weight. We started the walk right at 9 am and as we walked, the further back I got. The rest of the group was walking at a much faster pace than I could go. The further we walked, the further I fell behind the rest of the group. Soon I had lost sight of the group, and I had no idea where I was going. I became very upset with the fact that no one stayed back with me to keep me company or to help me with the route. At that moment, I felt like if I wanted to walk alone I could have done it right outside my house. I didn’t have to get into my car and drive to be treated this way. I did not finish the full route that day. In fact I did not manage to complete the full three mile walk for many weeks to come.  All of this did not stop me from returning the following week, however. Each week, I would set a goal to make it to the end of the three mile walk and each week I failed. It was a challenge to meet this goal, but as time went on, I did succeed most of the time. Finally it did happen and I had
completed the full route and everyone in the group was very supportive. This of course made me feel really good.
 
Several months later, I had become very ill. Each week, I would fight to be out there walking with my friends. I remember one Saturday, I had started walking with everyone and had gone about 2 miles when I became very sick. A couple of the walkers went to get my car, while the rest of the guys stayed with me to make sure that I was going to be okay. Thanks to my co-walkers, I was able to get home that day. I didn’t walk then for the
next four months. Now I’m back!  Walking every Saturday morning. It’s been a real challenge. I now work with R. J. Hadley and I am his co-captain of this group.
 
We will make sure that if it’s your first time walking that someone in the group will walk with you at your pace. We will make sure that your experience with us is a good one. We will walk at your pace as long as you need us to be there with you. It is a great group of guys and we have a great time each and every Saturday morning just out there getting some exercise. Oh, and by the way, I now weigh in at 220 and I owe it to the Saturday morning walks through Wilton Manors. The Brian Neal Fitness and Health Foundation has been a real blessing for me. Thank You!
 
Jim,  a Brian Neel Fitness and Health Foundation Member

For more information see http://briannealfitness.org/

This community free walk meets each Saturday at 8:30am at Richardson Park 1937 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors FL   We walk one hour and three miles.