HOW FAR DO YOU WALK?
Why am I asking? Well, Britons are being urged to get up off their asses as official data shows that in general, people are walking a third less than 30 years ago to just half a mile a day. That adds up to 181 miles a year, down 86 miles from 1986!! Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has gone so far to say that the British public is in danger of grinding too halt.
Small changes to our lifestyles could have dramatic boosts to our health & wellbeing. Those of you who know me, know that I walk (power mince) everywhere, and if I'm not walking I'm cycling, so imagine my dismay when everyday I see one of my neighbours, who let's be honest, has definitely eaten all the pies on many days, take the car to the shop at the end of the road and back. 5 minutes would all it would take her! So so sad.
Is it a coincidence that declining levels of activity coincide with increasing levels of obesity, diabetes and dementia? Hmmmmm...... Many people use an activity tracker such as fitbit to record their steps but the simplest thing is this; make walking a bigger part of your everyday life. By getting more active, the public can help the NHS by getting fitter and being less prone to avoidable health conditions that require medical intervention.
Researchers are telling us more and more that sitting at a desk all day, taking no exercise increases our risk of an early death by a whopping 60%!! Even taking a 5 minute break every hour and having a walk round the office will deliver health benefits.
Basically folks, the average Brit has got to get moving. Maybe the current Pokemon Go craze will get people moving out and about more, especially children, who, for the first time in generations, are in danger of having shorter lives than their parents. Maybe this game will get the walking habit engrained into them. Walk to the shops, walk the dog, get off a bus stop earlier than you have to, this is the message that needs to be spread, get out there, get walking, get healthier.
See you next week
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