» Health: Staying in Shape
Zara Baker looks at ways to keep the body in shape for a longer, healthier and happier life
I have a pedometer somewhere – one that I obtained through an offer on a cereal box or something similar. It’s not used (I have no idea where it is) and even if I did dutifully attach it to my belt every morning, it would probably shut down in defiance at my failure to get close to the optimum 10,000 steps each day. Maybe they should come with a bleeping alarm system so we’re forced into going that bit further as, let’s face it, 1,500 steps a day just doesn’t cut it.
The good news is that many of us will take around 4,500 steps each day without realising it, so we’re nearly halfway there in increasing our general fitness and wellbeing. As for the other 5,500 steps, well, the halfway mark should spur us into doing the extra exercise so the pedometer becomes more than just an accessory.
A small contraption like the pedometer also reminds us that walking is beneficial to our health, and something we don’t have to set aside the time to do as it can be incorporated into our daily routine. The NHS reports that a majority of car journies are less than two miles. Swap the wheels for your feet and you’re already making a difference – to your body and the planet. In the summer months it’s easier to walk places – and more pleasant, too. Walking is low impact, great for battling stress and anxiety, and can help reduce high blood pressure. You don’t have to walk fast to burn calories too. It’s all about the distance covered.
“Gyms are cool and air conditioned and there are great offers to be found at this time of year”
But to make a real difference to shifting weight and feeling healthy, seek out a higher impact workout. Gyms are generally quieter during the summer months as people head off for their holidays having already been down the gym since Easter, striving for the beach-ready body. In the summer it’s nice to workout outdoors, but don’t dismiss the gym entirely: they’re cool and air conditioned with multiple facilities and trainers on hand, and there are also great offers to be found for new and existing members at this time of year. The majority of venues offer swimming as well as gym facilities, and those with outdoor tennis courts are the perfect place to spend a summer evening.
Living in Brighton, we’re blessed with the beach and the South Downs right on our doorstep. We can enjoy country runs, long bike rides or swimming in the sea. There are plenty of sports to remind us that getting fit can be fun such as Orbing at Devil’s Dyke, paragliding off the huge hill in Glynde, or a game of volleyball on Madeira Drive.
The problem many of us face with exercise – myself included – is that it feels stale after a while, or there’s always something else to do. Once you’ve worked walking into your daily routine, look around for a fitness activity you haven’t tried before. When it comes to fitness, variety is the spice of a longer life.
