This entry was posted on Friday, May 9th, 2014at 12:21 pm by zoe.leahy@activenation.org.uk

Get Your Feet Moving It’s National Walking Month!

May is National Walking Month – so get up, put your best foot forward and start off on the road to getting active!

Walking is one of the best forms of exercise – it is simple, free and one of the easiest ways to get more active, lose weight and become healthier.

It’s often underrated as a form of exercise – but walking is ideal for people of all ages and fitness levels. Regular walking has been shown to reduce the risk of chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, asthma, stroke and some forms of cancer.

So what are you waiting for? If you need further inspiration try using one of the treadmills at our gyms or if you prefer the great outdoors, why not pop along to one of the many organised walks that set off from our venues.

In fact we are about to launch a walk for exercise referral patients from the Outdoor Sports Centre in Southampton on May 15 at 3.30pm. Initially, this is just for referral Supporters – but watch this space as it could be extended in the future!

And Yarborough Leisure Centre’s Health Walk meets in the café on a Tuesday morning at 10.40am and leaves 5 minutes later. Routes vary in length and difficulty and centre around the historic city of Lincoln.

Walk leader Morag said: “There are so many great benefits to get from walking. I have been doing this for over 4 years now and it is absolutely wonderful!

“You gradually build up your stamina and you get fit. People set their own pace and we have several walk leaders who make sure everyone is safe and gets to enjoy the route in their own time. We also encourage people to go on a course to be a walk leader so that they can help others take part.

“It’s a great way for people with disabilities or health conditions to get active and improve their fitness levels.

“It is also a great way to meet people and we all come back and have a coffee and a chat at the end.”

Carole suffers from an irregular heartbeat and has been taking part in the walks for a couple of years. She admits that she’s not the fastest, but can now complete 4 mile walks that would have been impossible for her at the start.

She said: “These walks have really helped me to improve my overall health a lot. I’m not very fast and often walk with a group at the back but it makes me feel great. I like it that much that I am going to be a walk leader myself.

“When it comes to walking, I would encourage anyone – wherever they are in the country – to just try it. It doesn’t even matter if you don’t finish so long as you just get started!”

Walks are also organised at other Active Nation venues – give us a call today to find out how we can help you to get moving!

For more information about National Walking Month visit: www.livingstreets.org.uk