Every Tuesday morning when Yasmini Iglesias, a former elementary school teacher, arrives at her local park, she lights up as she’s welcomed by the other members of Venice Family Clinic’s walking group. The women fall into stride next to one another and the park fills with bright laughter and conversation.

After months of weekly sessions, the group has become about much more than exercise. The members – anywhere from 3 to 10 people on a given day – have grown to rely on each other for motivation, advice and companionship as they work hard to improve their health.

Before Iglesias connected with the Clinic’s health education department, she felt lost. Improving her health seemed daunting and all of the strategies she’d tried on her own had fallen short. “I remember wondering if I’d ever be able to really change my life,” she remembers. Now, thanks to the support she’s received at the Clinic, she feels like there’s no limit to what she can achieve.

The Power of Community

The new walking groups are a part of the Clinic’s comprehensive approach to health. Kelly Ayllon, one of the health educators who help run the Clinic’s weekly walking sessions offered at multiple sites, is excited about the positive results her group members are experiencing. “Our group members are thriving and making real progress towards their goals,” says Ayllon. “It helps that they know they have a community they can rely on.”

Research shows that people who exercise in a group are 42% more likely to succeed in their weight loss goals and maintain lifestyle changes over time compared to those who exercised alone. This is because supportive environments can replace feelings of isolation with a sense of belonging.

Walking Together, Healing Together

When Iglesias voiced her desire to lose weight and improve her health, her clinician offered three options: medication, gastric bypass surgery or natural weight loss. “I really wanted to make sure my weight loss was sustainable. I’ve done crash diets before, but the weight has always come back,” shares Iglesias. “When I heard about the walking group it seemed like a perfect opportunity to make a lasting change.”

After a few months of walking with the group, the impact on Iglesias’s health has been profound.

She has seen improvements in her fitness and energy levels and has started to lose weight. Iglesias shares that she’s never felt more motivated. “On my own, it can feel so hard to try and make the lifestyle changes I needed to make,” says Iglesias. “But with the walking group, I have a whole community behind me. On the days when I just don’t want to walk, I know one of the other women will give me a call and say, ‘Hey, let’s go.’ We’re all in it together.”

A Lasting Impact

In addition to joining the walking group and supplementing with independent workouts, Iglesias takes advantage of the other services the Clinic offers including regular one on one education sessions with Ayllon where they review techniques to help with weight management and nutrition-oriented cooking classes. She also attends our Free Food Markets where she receives nutritious fruits and vegetables for her whole family to enjoy.

Iglesias credits the Clinic’s comprehensive support with her success. “What makes Venice Family Clinic special is that they don’t just tell you ‘You have to lose weight’. They give you the tools and education to make it happen.” Because of the Clinic’s encouragement, Iglesias is inspired to push herself to new heights and intends to complete a 5K race in Las Vegas in 2025 to raise money for children’s cancer research and treatment.

To see the full list of exercise and other classes our health educators offer, check out our Community Calendar.