WALKING PART 1: DAILY CHALLENGE

For most of us, walking is the easiest way to exercise in the fresh air. Even if time is tight, here are some ways to make room in your life for a stroll. • Set yourself a little daily challenge. Walk all or part of your route to work, to the shops, or other regular journeys you make. If you can, go out after breakfast every day, or walk up a hill to watch the sunset. Step counters may be a help. Wear one on your wrist to keep track of your daily activity. Many will set you a daily target automatically; 10,000 steps is a good target for many of us. • Keep it local; if you plan to travel for every walk, they won’t happen so often. If you live in a city, you may be surprised at the green routes you can find by canals, riversides and in parks. • Choose one day a week to do a longer walk. Make a list of walks that are no more than an hour’s journey from your home, stick it to the fridge, and work your way down the list. • Walk with a friend or neighbour; you’ll encourage each other to keep going. • Join a walking group; to find one near you, go to walkingforhealth.org.uk; ramblers.org.uk; walkni.com, or for longer distances ldwa.org.uk. • Don’t wait for spring, or summer. Start today. And don’t let rain put you off.