It’s ‘Walktober’ – Time to get moving! October 6, 2017

It’s ‘Walktober’, a Blueearth Foundation initiative to get Australian’s moving! Walktober challenges Australian’s to take steps to make sure this generation of kids are active and healthy. 

This year they’re focusing on not just walking but any kind of physical activity that gets people moving and happy. Their aim: Encouraging Australian’s to move more for just 31 minutes a day for the month of October. 

The health benefits of regular physical activity, such as walking are abundant. But you don’t have to dive straight into HIIT training just yet. Research shows that just setting yourself a goal of exercising briskly for 30 minutes on most days of the week you will be on track to: 

1. Lose body fat 
2. Improve your overall fitness 
3. Strengthen your bones and improve balance 
4. Reduce your risk of long-term conditions, such as type 2 diabetes 

Health benefits of walking 

There are many health benefits of regular, brisk walking. These include: 

• Boosting your cardiovascular and respiratory health 

Brisk walking pumps more blood to your brain, increasing cardiovascular and pulmonary fitness. It can also lower high blood pressure and cholesterol, dramatically reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. 

• Lowering your risk of disease 

Walking can lower your risk of heart disease by 9.3% and type 2 diabetes by 12.3%. 

• Boosting your mood 

Physical exercise releases happy hormones or endorphins. These are secreted within the brain and nerves system and release a positive feeling boosting your mood. 

Even if you don’t like exercising you won’t be able to help but feel better after a brisk walk, with research also showing that it helps override emotions such as dread and boredom. 

Tips to be more active 

All it takes is an extra 31 minutes of physical activity for the entire month of October. Physical activity doesn’t have to involve expensive gym memberships or equipment. Try out these tips to include more activity in your day: 

1. Park further from the entrance. 
2. Take the stairs instead of the lift. 
3. Get off the bus a few stops early and walk a little further. 
4. Make it a social event – go for walks with family or friends to make it more enjoyable. 
5. Consider purchasing a pedometer to help keep you motivated and on track. 

To get involved simply chose a distance that you want to complete, as your family and friends to support your efforts and get moving! Visit Walktober’s website for more details.