If you’ve not been active for a while and are unsure about your fitness levels, walking is a great place to start being active. Just remember to take it easy and build up the length of your walks gradually.
Top tips
Walk Briskly
To gain the most benefits you need to walk briskly, this should mean you feel warmer and slightly out of breath.
Fit it into your routine
Think about how you can fit walking into your everyday routine, try walking to work on the school run or get off the bus a couple of stops early or park the car further away from your destination. Think about taking the stairs instead of the escalator or lift. If you work in an office, you could make an effort to get up and speak to people rather than emailing, or try a walking meeting, either by telephone or in person.
Use a smart phone app
An app , smart watch or pedometer can be used to track your steps and set yourself a challenge. The Active 10 app is ideas for beginners, and will help you set goals, shows you your achievements and gives you tips to boost your activity, as well as tracking your activity.
Make it social
Meet up with a friend or family member for a walk and chat in your local park, or green space. Joining a walking group is a great way to meet new people whilst staying active.