Walk Your Way To Health

Step into spring with this six-week walking plan from The Ramblers to get you back in tip-top health

- Tanya Pearey

Winter and lockdown may have combined this year to make staying fit and well extra difficult. But there’s still something free and readily available that can make the world of difference to your health – walking.

‘Walking is a powerful medicine,’ says GP Dr Nick Summerton, health advisor to walking charity The Ramblers. ‘A regular daily dose improves the way our bodies work, lowers stress levels and helps us to sleep better. It can treat the symptoms of depression and prevent it starting in the first place.

‘If you’re spending a lot of time sitting down and are particularly out of trim, then you’ll have the most to gain by even a small increase in activity, such as going for a short walk. People who keep moving are much less likely to get heart problems, strokes, diabetes, dementia or even cancer.’

The NHS recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity (such as brisk walking) a week. ‘Many of us struggle to achieve this target, perhaps because we set goals that are vague,’ says Dr Summerton.

He has devised a six-week walking plan exclusively for Woman’s Weekly to get you out there.