Britain's politicians are being challenged to take a healthy living message with them on the campaign trail when they are canvassing in their constituencies. In the run-up to the election the Ramblers' Association (RA) is recruiting prospective MPs to wear a pedometer to highlight the benefits of walking.
Health is at the top of the agenda in this election, and the RA, the country’s largest charity working to promote walking, is asking parliamentary candidates to take the lead in showing people how to take positive action to improve their health. Candidates who accept the RA’s challenge of 10, 000 steps a day will be given a pedometer as they pound the pavements in their constituencies and will be recording their success, or otherwise, as they go.
Chris Smith, the former MP for Islington and current President of the Ramblers’ Association, said, "Walking is not just enjoyable and fun; it's also the very best way to get some exercise, blow away the cobwebs, and keep fit and healthy. Any candidate worth their salt is going to jump at the chance of taking this message out in a visible form with their pedometer clocking up the canvassing miles."
Doctors recommend we walk at least 10,000 steps daily for better health, but for many of us working in sedentary jobs this goal is often difficult to achieve. In fact many people struggle to clock even a third of this distance. Walking may not seem like real exercise yet it puts other sports to shame when it comes to health benefits. It's low impact, low cost and can be done almost anywhere and can be easily adapted for even the busiest lives.
The RA has devised a 10-week walking plan, Take 30, to allow people who many not exercise currently or who do little exercise, and want a common-sense programme that does not demand masses of time or money, to help them loose weight and get fitter.
