There is a reason why Happy Feet has grown so quickly from just a handful of members to 75 women just in 3 months and that reason is simply Friendship.  Friendship and support is the glue that holds all of us together.  Actually studies have shown that women need friends to be healthy! “Scientists now suspect that hanging out with our friends can actually counteract the kind of stomach-quivering stress most of us experience on a daily basis. A landmark UCLA study suggests that women respond to stress with a cascade of brain chemicals that cause us to make and maintain friendships with other women.”

While all of us enjoy walking alone and with our families, I think the biggest boost in energy and spirit comes from our weekly Saturday morning walks.  These Saturday morning walks are a chance for us all to come together and simply enjoy each other’s company.  The laughter and joy that can be heard on Saturday mornings is not only loud but contagious! We need each other to keep the momentum going.  The next time you feel like skipping the Saturday morning walk – just remember that you are actually doing yourself a disservice.  While all of us would like to sleep, the benefits of walking with friends, far outweighs the negative aspects of waking up at 5:30am. This Saturday put on your shoes, your red Happy Feet shirt and head out of the door – your friends are waiting!

Source: http://www.anapsid.org/cnd/gender/tendfend.html