Walking to Health
FLC Walks
There is nothing better for lifting the spirits than a brisk walk in the countryside, and in the Peak District we are lucky enough to have some of the most stunning scenery in the country on our doorstep. What is more, there is growing evidence that fitting in regular walks each week can help keep you healthy.
Penny Ward, Health Trainer at the FLC, has put together a programme of walks based at the Farming Life Centre (see the What's On pages for further details) and there are plans to initiate a further series of regular walks in the local area. The FLC Health Trainer Project wants to encourage members of the local rural community in particular to take part in our walks.For more information about our walk's programme, or about volunteering as a walk leader, please Contact Us.
Why Walk?
It is known that 70% of the adult population do not take regular exercise. Even those of us who lead outdoor lives and do regular manual work don’t get enough exercise for our hearts and lungs.
Walking regularly:
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will improve your all round health, boosting your physical, mental and social well-being.
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is easy and accessible, requiring no special equipment or gym membership.
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is good for your heart and lungs, improving cardiovascular fitness
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can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, cancer, osteoporosis and arthritis
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can help you to deal with anxiety and stress
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may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease
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will increase your muscle tone, boost metabolism, ease stress, raise energy levels and improve sleep, which combined can also help you lose weight.
What is more, walking is really enjoyable.
We hope that meeting frequently, our walks will become sociable occasions, as much as an opportunity to take exercise. What can be better than walking with friends in beautiful countryside?
Walking the Way to Health (WHI)
The walks also form part of a nationwide campaign, Walking the Way to Health. WHI is the largest national body promoting and setting the standards for led health walks. It's a joint initiative between Natural England and the British Heart Foundation. Its main aim is to get more people walking in their local communities, for the benefit of their health and well-being.
Debbie Chesterman and Vicky Smyth visited the Farming Life Centre on the 27th March to deliver a Walk Leader Training day. They run a successful programme of Walking the Way to Health walks based at Rosliston Forestry Centre and are qualified to train volunteers to lead health walks. The event was attended by Health Trainers and Health Champions, including the FLC's own Penny Ward and Hannah Watson. There are plans to train more volunteer walk leaders and to initiate a further series of regular walks in the local area.
For more information you can contact Penny Ward at the Farming Life Centre.
