Take a walk...help yourself.
Keeping fit need not have to be hard work. But it makes a great deal of sense.
People who don’t exercise have a greater chance of dying prematurely...in fact 37 per cent of the deaths due to coronary heart disease can be attributed to a lack of physical activity. And there are many more diseases and disabilities such as stroke, obesity, Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, colorectal cancer and osteo-arthritis that are associated with physical inactivity.
Wealden District Council, Freedom Leisure and the Sussex Downs and Weald Primary Healthcare Trust have organised a weekly healthy walking programme which everyone can take part in… mums with buggies, elderly people who may have no-one to exercise with, people with disabilities - anyone who wants to come along.
“You don’t have to spend hours exercising,” says Claire Goodey of the Sussex Downs and Weald PCT. “Just 30 minutes a day, five days a week of moderate activity such a brisk walking – you should be breathing a little faster and feeling a bit warmer, but still able to carry on a conversation.
“And if you can’t spare half an hour, try doing two lots of 15 minutes, or three lots of ten minutes.”
The inaugural Stepping Out healthy walk took place last week at Crowborough, when warm autumn sunshine ushered the walkers on a 40 minute trip from the Freedom Leisure Centre to Hourne Farm and back. Among those taking part was Council Chairman, Councillor Pat Kennedy, who later this month is scaling the dizzy heights of the Andes on a sponsored walk in aid of the Sussex Air Ambulance Appeal.
Stepping Out healthy walks will take place once a week on Thursdays in Crowborough, leaving the Freedom Leisure Centre at 10.30am.
“Stepping Out is an ideal way to take regular exercise. It requires no equipment and can easily be fitted into your everyday routine,” said Councillor Mrs Margaret Kirkpatrick, Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Development on Wealden District Council.
“We would like to set up walking programme in other parts of the district. So if you are interested, please get in touch with Wealden.”
Wealden’s healthy walks coordinator is Kelly Harris, Sports Development Officer. She can be contacted on 01892 602754 or email kelly.harris@wealden.gov.uk
