Step up to fit challenge

The campaign recognises that environmental pressures, such as desk jobs and long commutes, make healthy choices difficult. However, inactivity is making people unhealthy, accounting for one in six deaths in the UK and costing the health service up to £10billion a year. We need to find a way to be more active.

Swapping four wheels for two feet is one of the best places to start. Walking is free and has many more benefits than people realise. It reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, stroke and depression. What’s more, walking is very easy.

Adults are recommended to be physically active for 150 minutes a week and by choosing to walk on the school run, popping out on your lunch hour for a stroll or taking a walk at the end of the day, you can easily start building these minutes up.

National Walking Month, organised by Living Streets, takes place each May, and this year we’re encouraging everyone to ‘Try20’ – that is, just fit 20 minutes of walking into their day. Then watch the benefits it brings.

Emily Humphreys,

Living Streets