Walking is an exercise which requires few new skills, it can be achieved by the majority of people, it is easy to incorporate into our regular lifestyle so why is it that the majority of journeys we make in the car are less than one mile? A distance most of us could make on foot.
A year ago we started a new absolute beginner walking group to try to encourage more people to use walking as a way of keeping healthy. Anita saw an article about this group and coincidentally her daughter also spotted it. So, encouraged by her family she made the phone call to find out more. Sometimes this is the hardest step. Anita said ‘I was given the information but in no way did I feel threatened. I felt if I attended I could easily opt out if it wasn’t for me. At the first session I felt welcomed and reassured – we were a variety of shapes and sizes and we started with walking on the athletics track. This inspired me to return as we were told we would walk in Sutton Park at the next session. As the weeks have gone by I have made new friends – we often stop for a coffee after the walk..but no cake!’
So what has Anita gained? ‘I will walk rather than take the car….even if it is raining. Walking is not a chore, I regularly walk three times a week. My stamina has improved, I noticed this recently when I went to India. Even my friend said you would never have been able to do so much if you had not been to the walking group. There have also been huge health benefits. My blood pressure has always been high and yet the last two visits to my GP has shown it to be normal. I have also lost a bit of weight. Probably the most significant change has been in self belief, I don’t even think about it now I just do it!’