GEML Ladywood

Posts Tagged ‘keep fit’

Walking is a simple, low-impact way to keep fit. Walking for a total of 30 minutes a day on at least five days a week for adults, or 60 minutes a day every day for children, meets the Chief Medical Officer’s minimum recommendations for physical activity. It may be more manageable if you split the walking into two or three shorter sessions. Walking has many impacts to health and by building activity into your daily routine you will be able to:

• Help control your weight
• Improve your body tone and shape
• Protect your health by lowering the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer and osteoporosis
• Increase your fitness and strengthen your heart and lungs
• Strengthen your bones
• Reduce stress and boost your mood

Walking is an excellent form of exercise as it is free and doesn’t involve expensive equipment or gym membership. It is one of the most accessible forms of transport and can fit in with any lifestyle, culture or domestic circumstance. It is sociable and allows you to enjoy time with friends or family while being active. It can also help you meet new people and learn more about your local environment. Just by walking your children to school or walking some or all of your way to work you will be able to benefit.

Heart of Birmingham Teaching Primary Care Trust are working with the Health Exchange to deliver the Get Active Walks Programme. The programme aims to provide residents with the opportunity to access regular supervised walks on a weekly basis from a wide range of locations. With enthusiastic and friendly walk leaders the walks programme allows you to ‘Get Active’ and have fun!!

The Get Active Walk groups are open to everyone – all ages and abilities are very welcome. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. No special clothing or equipment is required, but bring some water and comfortable flat shoes are recommended.

To find out about when and where your local Get Active walks meet call the Health Exchange on 0800 158 3535  or download the  Get Active Get Walking