Walk4Life
So you want to walk ...
Great...... Doctors tell us that walking at a brisk pace for a minimum of 30 minutes on at least five days a week will keep us fit and healthy, help reduce our stress levels and significantly reduce our risk developing coronary heart disease, obesity and certain cancers.
Although we should aim for 30 minutes a day, you don't have to do them all in one go to start with. You could walk for ten minutes, three times a day or 15 minutes twice a day at first. The most important thing is that you start 'where you're at' and build up gradually.
'Brisk' walking means walking so that you breathe a little faster, feel warmer and have a slightly faster heart beat. You should still be able to talk, if you can't carry on a conversation, then you're going too fast!
Remember walking can give you more energy, reduce stress, better sleep and save money. It can also help keep your heart strong, blood pressure down, manage weight and reduce your carbon footprint. Knowing all that, can you think of a reason why you wouldn't go for a walk tomorrow as well as today?
Make it a habit
The easiest way to walk more is to build it into your daily routine:
- Think before you drive less than a mile - walk to the local shop or post box
- Throw away the TV remote control
- Get off the bus a stop earlier
- Park the car further away at the supermarket
- Take the stairs instead of the lift
- Enjoy a walking lunch - walk to the park and eat your sandwiches
- Borrow a friend's dog and take it for a walk
- Walk the children to school
Choosing to walk from A to B as a travel choice is often cheaper, more reliable and gives you options to enjoy other things at the same time too. Walking can also save time and help reduce your carbon footprint. Try substituting your shorter car journeys for walk trips.
What should I wear?
A good pair of shoes is the only equipment required - any shoes that are comfortable, provide good support and don't cause blisters. Loose fitting clothing allows you to move more freely and wear thin layers rather than heavy, chunky clothing! If it's a hot day, take a bottle of water, a sun hat and sun cream.
Walking in Gloucestershire 
Here in Gloucestershire we have lots of opportunities to walk with a group or on our own if you prefer. The Walking for Health Groups are a great way for people to walk with others. The walks are usually 30 - 60 minutes and you can walk at the pace that suits you and it's a great way to make new friends.
To find your local 'Walking for Health' walks why not look them up on Active Gloucestershire's 'Activity Finder' here.
As part of the Change4Life campaign, Walk England have developed a website where people can download short accessible walks that are close to where they live.....Walk4Life, local walks for local people.
For those of us who would rather have a piece of paper with the route on and are not so comfortable with computers Active Gloucestershire, Walk England and 'Count Me In' are developing a series of walking maps with routes close to where people live so you don't have to get in the car to go out for a walk!!!!
To have a look at some of the Walk England walks in your local area please use the following links.........
For more walks in your local area check out the Walk4Life website
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