Walking!

Walking is the most natural form of exercise in the world. You don't need any special clothing or equipment, you can do it wherever you live and whatever you age or circumstances, all you have to do is to put one foot in front of the other.
If you put a bit of energy into it, walking counts as aerobic exercise.

Walking can:

• help you to get and stay fit, and tone up your muscles
• boost your mood
• lower blood pressure
• reduce high cholesterol
• reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke
• reduce body fat
• increase and maintain bone density, helping to prevent osteoporosis
• help to control body weight
• help flexibility and co-ordination

Ideally, you should incorporate 30 minutes of walking into most days. It doesn't need to be all at once. Try these tips to increase your steps (every little helps):

• get off the bus one stop early and walk the rest of the way to your destination
• use the stairs instead of the lift at work
• buy a pedometer, it's a real motivator to watch those steps accumulate
• walk the dog or volunteer to exercvise a friend's pet
• join local walking club (it's a great way to make friends)