According to the NHS, the average Brit walks between 3,000 and 4,000 steps a day. Yet the benefits of walking 10,000 steps every day are enormous.
Studies have found that those who walk more have lower risks of developing diabetes or having a stroke. Walking can also lower the risk of heart disease by 50%.
On top of that, regular walking also improves lung capacity, reduces knee joint pain for those with arthritis, and reduces the symptoms of depression.
Not bad for a free exercise with no equipment needed.
This September, we’re encouraging everyone to join September Steps as part of LJFitness’ 2024 Charity Event.
Set yourself a walking target that’s going to challenge you, whether that be 5,000 or 15,000 steps. For every day you complete your challenge, donate £1 to Inspire.
You can also join the Facebook Group to share how you are doing with your target, and join others to keep each other motivated. Participants will also be invited to a special event at Paddy & Scott’s in Ipswich on September 29th to meet everyone else who took part, and celebrate the end of the challenge, how many steps were taken, and how much was raised for Inspire.
Ways to walk more
If you’re trying to fit a few more steps into your daily routine, here’s a few ways to up your count.
Go on a family walk
Walking benefits everyone, especially children with better moods, improved sleep and quality family time all reasons to take the family for an after dinner walk.
Keep hydrated
Take a reusable water bottle everywhere with you. Not only will you have to go and fill it up, but you’ll probably end up walking to the bathroom more.
Walk while you binge
It’s not rocket science to say spending hours sitting watching Netflix isn’t the best thing for your health, so take your show outside. If you can only binge when you’re walking, you might be more inclined to get out.
Make it fun with an app
Remember when everyone was outside hunting Pokemon with Pokemon Go? There’s no reason to not dust it off again and go collecting in the name of your step count.
If that’s not up your street, there are numerous apps that make walking more fun. Like Run, Zombies where you follow a story to collect vital supplies, rescue survivors, and find a cure for the zombie plague. Or Walkr: Fitness Space Adventure, where the more you walk, the more power you get for your spaceship to explore planets.
Suggest a walking meeting
It won’t be long before the winters start drawing in. So why not suggest making the most of the weather by taking your meetings outdoors?
Find out more about the September Steps challenge here.
