People who discovered walking
It’s not hard to build walking into our everyday lives. Here are some people who have done it and the benefits they have found.
Chrissie Proudfoot
Chrissie travelled everywhere by car and was keen to lose weight. Picking up a leaflet about a new Ramblers Scotland project became the impetus for her to try out walking.
"Over the last few months I have lost over a stone and have no doubt that walking has helped me achieve my goals. I walk regularly at least four times a week - it's a very social activity with the added bonus of helping me to stay fit and healthy. I now find that I am always desperate to get out and every time I want to walk a little bit further and faster. In short walking is magic."
Photo: Fife Walking Initiative
Rob Duff
Rob (30) lives in South London and commutes to Paddington for work. Whenever the weather is good enough he leaves behind his long (and complicated) tube journey and takes the train. This involves a 3-mile walk at the other end.
“I was looking at way to improve my fitness and raise my energy level. I don’t have time to go to the gym before work and didn’t fancy getting up early to go jogging. So I thought about the hours I waste on the tube and worked out an easier journey to include a walk. Instead of the stressful tube journey in the mornings, I now have a nice relaxing walk through Hyde Park and arrive at work calm and full of energy. I feel great for the exercise and actually look forward to my journey to work in the mornings.”
Jo Clements
"Luckily I was always taken walking by my parents so I got into the habit early. I used to whinge quite a lot when I was a teenager but then I got back into it quite easily later on. When I was pregnant, right up to the last month or so, I found walking was a great way to relieve some of the discomforts and it also seemed to make the baby fall asleep so it would stop kicking me for a while!
"Now my children are nine (Mollie) and three (Boe) we often go off together where we live near Reigate. It’s a time when there’s nothing but the three of us, no computers, toys, homework or TV and we seem to come back with a peaceful glow. I always make it sound like an exciting trip rather than a boring walk – we go to see some windmills or throw fir cones in the lake and see who can throw the furthest. They love it!"
Sharon Woods
“I’ve always struggled with my weight. I've tried everything from starvation to aerobics with little long-term success. When I reached 11 stone I was horrified and realised I’d have to make some serious changes. I tried Weight Watchers but it didn't work for me so I began walking to and from work, an hour each way. My friends and colleagues thought I was demented but it paid off – over a two year period I lost two stone. I found I could eat whatever I liked and stopped being obsessed with food – that was the biggest liberation. Six years later and my only fluctuation is between eight and a half and nine stone!
"Walking really works for me because I can fit it into my day easily. It costs nothing, helps me deal with the stress of the day and it has freed me from crazy diets.”
Photo: David Sims
Walking is popular exercise among celebrities too. Many of the world’s most glamorous women walk regularly to keep fit and healthy. Catherine Zeta-Jones, Amanda Holden, Hermione Norris, Carol Vordeman and Victoria Wood are a few who regularly pound pavements to stay slim and trim.
“I walk up to see my Gran once a week. It’s two miles and nearly all uphill. When I first started doing it it nearly killed me but it’s easier now.”
“Yes it’s difficult for you not having the car any more.”
“Oh no, I’m glad I do it, it keeps me fit. When I get up the top I can feel my heart beat, I feel alive. I make the children walk to school now as well. They need the fresh air and they go to sleep when they go to bed now instead of playing up.”
Conversation overheard on a train
Pages in Take30
See also
First steps: more help and advice to get you started walking.
Take30 is a Ramblers promoting walking project. Read more about promoting walking work in Great Britain.
