It’s National Walking Month: Discover the Benefits of Walking!
As we mark National Walking Month, let’s discover the benefits of walking and how you can join walking groups in Doncaster!
Walking is not just a leisurely activity – it’s an easy yet effective way to maintain health and wellness. It’s simple, free, and one of the easiest ways to become more active, lose weight, and enhance your overall health. In Doncaster, we take pride in encouraging our community to join in on this beneficial exercise through our local walking groups.
Why Walk?
Walking briskly is more than just a stroll – it’s a way to get outdoors, burn calories, and improve cardiovascular health. It’s an exercise that fits easily into your life, without the need for extensive preparations or expensive equipment. Even a quick 10-minute daily walk can significantly contribute to your recommended 150 minutes of weekly exercise, as advised for adults aged 19 to 64.
Getting Started
To begin your walking journey, all you need is a comfortable pair of shoes or trainers that provide adequate support. If you’re walking to work or planning a longer stroll, consider carrying water, healthy snacks, and appropriate weather gear in a small backpack. For those who want to ensure they are walking briskly enough, walking at about 3 miles per hour or at a pace where you can talk but not sing is a good measure.
Motivation and Tools
Staying motivated can be challenging, but making walking a habitual part of your daily routine can help. Consider walking to work, taking stairs instead of elevators, or enjoying a post-dinner stroll with family. Incorporating music or podcasts during your walks can also make the time fly while keeping you entertained.
The NHS’s Active 10 app is an excellent resource for tracking your walking pace and duration, offering goals and rewarding progress. It’s available for free and can be a great companion in your walking journey.
Join a Walking Group
One of the best ways to keep up with your walking is by joining a local walking group. It’s a fantastic opportunity to meet new people, stay motivated, and enjoy the social aspects of walking.
Doncaster celebrates walking not just as exercise but as a communal activity through Get Doncaster Moving. To learn more about local walking groups and to start exploring the myriad of walking paths in and around Doncaster, visit Get Doncaster Moving.
Whether you’re looking to start small or dive into regular group walks, there’s no better time to lace up your shoes and step into a healthier lifestyle. Join us in celebrating the power of walking and discover how a few steps each day can lead to significant health benefits.