Step out, join in and let’s all exercise together
To combat the urge to nap wherever and whenever possible, we’re trying to ensure we all take breaktime walks
EVERY DAY this month I shall be doing 100 squats in the Business Lounge here at University Business Centre at the Piece Mill in Halifax.
Not my idea initially, rather that of my lovely colleagues Emily and Stuart.
It’s for a good cause and is sponsored – Emily’s raising money for Cancer Research and myself and Stuart are supporting her.
I’m unsure it’s all that much of a good idea for me personally, with my ‘musical’ knees, but I shall have a go!
We’ve been looking at ways of getting through winter as a team now that the clocks are’ back‘, and the dark nights are longer.
To combat the urge to nap wherever and whenever possible, we’re trying to ensure we all take breaktime walks wherever possible and I’m certainly ‘on with’ Vitamin D and calcium supplements.
We are also definitely going to be making use of the wonderful services offered by Marie Conway at Calderdale Council.
Marie is Calderdale’s Health Improvement Manager on the Public Health Team and works with businesses and communities throughout Calderdale to run initiatives encouraging groups and individuals to exercise in a manageable and fun way.
In October they started the ‘Midday Me Time’ lunchtime group walks on Savile Park Moor in Halifax.
Due to the positive feedback received Marie and her team would like to roll this out in other areas across Calderdale, and therefore she is looking for anyone that is interested in setting up a ‘Midday Me Time’ in the area where you work or live.
The concept is that groups use one mile routes manageable as people can do less or more than a mile.
People don’t realise they have done a mile time goes so quickly (only takes 20 minutes or less walking at a steady pace).
There are many benefits such as talking to friends, colleagues and meeting people you don’t usually come into contact with, as well as the physical and mental health benefits of taking a break and moving more during the working day.
Marie and her team can offer support through Walk or Run leader training.
They already have a member of staff member interested in doing one at Brighouse (Wellholme Park) and there is an existing walking group at People’s Park in Halifax
Let’s get more set up further up and down the Calder Valley!
If we can’t get to the lunchtime walk we do also try (and it is try) to take part in Marie’s weekly ‘Take 10’ Zoom sessions (early afternoon – the exact time that the snooziness begins to set in for many) which are simple and fun home exercise sessions led by Marie herself.
If you’d like to learn more or how to join in, then Marie can be contacted via email on marie.conway@calderdale. gov.uk.
Come on! Step up, step out. It’s fun and it’s free and it’s healthy!
Certainly something we shall be encouraging our lovely client businesses at University Business Centre at the Piece Mill to join in with – exercise together one day, chips from Pearsons or something delicious from Pride and Provenance together the next!
All about balance isn’t it?