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SBC > LA21 > Up To Date > News |
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Press Release
25 February 2008Lose a pound - find a friend!
Link: WalkWise Calendar
Spring is upon us - and the next programme of led Health Walks has now been published, helping us to get out and enjoy the approach of softer weather and longer days.
Hot off the press, the updated Walk Wise programme, published quarterly, gives details led Health Walks around the Borough. This new programme covers February to April.
120 Volunteer Walk Leaders have now been trained to lead Health Walks all around the Borough, from venues in Stafford, Stone, Gnosall and Hixon. More than 60 FREE walks will take place over the next three months.
Health Walks are particularly aimed at encouraging people to take up more active lifestyles and to help people who would benefit - physically and mentally - from walking more regularly. All Health Walks are led and back-marked by formally trained Volunteer Walk Leaders, so you are in good hands.
Walking regularly brings great benefits. From the health point of view walking can help improve or maintain general health. It is particularly important in helping to tackle obesity, an increasingly urgent issue. Walking is accessible to most people, you can start at your own level, it's sociable and fun - so you're more likely to keep exercising without even realising you are exercising - but you're still burning up 100 calories every mile you walk!
More specific benefits include helping to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, improving muscle strength and bone density, and reducing the risk of falls and osteoporosis. It can also help to reduce stress, anxiety and depression.
In addition, by walking more, there are many benefits to our environment - short journeys on foot help reduce traffic and therefore cut traffic jams, reduce fuel consumption and reduce pressure for new roads - and also reduce climate change emissions!
Led Health Walks take between 30 minutes and one hour and people taking part are asked to wear comfortable footwear.
The free "WalkWise" leaflet is available from the Civic Centre, Stafford's Tourist Information Centre in Market Street and all local libraries. It is also available to download from www.staffordbc.gov.uk/la21
The Walking for Health Initiative forms part of the Borough Council's sustainable development programme which aims to achieve social, economic and environmental well-being and a better quality of life for all, both today and in the future.
For more information on the Walking for Health programme or on sustainable development in general please contact the Sustainable Development Team at the Council on 01785 619408 or email la21@staffordbc.gov.uk
Contact Officer: Karen Davies, Sustainable Development Team