‘I’ll be thinking of lost loved ones as I walk’
TV and radio presenter Gaby Roslin opens up about a big event that’s so special to her
Gaby Roslin tells us how walking changed her life
I’m obsessed with walking. ‘Obsessed’ is not an exaggeration. About four or five years ago, my husband bought me a Fitbit for Christmas. It changed my life. I’d always loved working out in the gym, but somehow that Fitbit strapped to my wrist upped my game. I realised I needed to move more. I started with a few miles, and now I’m at around nine miles a day. I don’t usually do it in one go, but after taking my youngest to school, I start with a five-miler, then walk to work, to the next meeting and then to the next job.
Many doctors are now prescribing walking to help mental heath and anxiety. I always say it’s good for my heart, body, soul, the planet and, of course, my mind. When I walk, I think, learn and breathe. It also helps me come up with ideas. I walk looking up, not with my head in my phone, but I do answer calls. I also take photos, which I’ve always loved doing, and now Instagram is a way to share those moments.
This leads me nicely to talk about the joy of Walk the Walk’s Moonwalk London. I did it for the first time last year after taking part in The Sunwalk festivals over the years with my kids. I’ve met Nina Barough, who launched Walk the Walk in 1996, and she’s a force for good; an amazing woman who is making a huge difference to the world. Her charity has raised over £100m and gives grants and funds to many good causes. Last year, I walked in actress Harriet Thorpe’s team with family, friends and other folk from TV and theatre. I loved it so much, I’m counting down the days until I do it again on
16 May. We walk the
Half Moon, which is 15.1 miles (hats off to those who do the 26.2-mile Full Moon).
I met some incredible people that night, including those who had lost friends and family to breast cancer, had the disease or had finished their treatment. We talked and walked together, and shared memories of people we’d lost. I’ve lost three girlfriends to breast cancer and they will be in my thoughts when I walk again this year.
Editor Jo says: ‘I did Walk the Walk, too.
Our sister publication, Good Housekeeping, is a media partner for the event, so I joined its team. Gaby’s right, it’s an incredible night, so why not have a go this year? For more details, visit walkthewalk.org.’
‘I’m counting down the days until I do Walk the Walk again’