WINTER WALKING PLAN

Be motivated to move even when it's cold and wet outside with this easy-to-follow guide

- NATALIA LUBOMIRSKI

Stepping outdoors and moving your body might seem like the last thing you want to do when it’s chilly and damp, but walking through winter isn’t just about staying active, says Joanna Hall, founder of the WalkActive Method (walk-active.com). 'It keeps joints mobile, supports immune health, boosts energy and lifts your mood when dark days can leave you feeling flat.'

To get you moving in the right direction this winter, Joanna has created a four-week winter walking plan. With clever tips on pace, posture and how to stay safe when it's slippery underfoot, it will keep you active for the next month and beyond...

LET’S GO! How you walk is as important as how much, says Joanna. 'Each session in the plan helps to improve posture, reduce joint strain and help people walk further, faster and more comfortably.'

WEEK 1 FEET FOCUS: Encourage a smoother roll through each step, reducing knee strain and improving balance and stability - essential in wet, uneven conditions.

HOW? 'Feel the peel,' says Joanna. Peel your foot from the floor - heel to arch to toes - rather than pushing forward from the front leg. 'Imagine the back foot is gently rolling away from the ground and feel how the ball of the foot spreads.'

WEEK 2 HIPS FOCUS: Hip lift - lengthens waist, engages glutes and helps maintain upright posture.