Fitness
Walking does not only keep you fit, it prevents obesity, which is fast becoming a severe problem, notably among children and young people. And don't dismiss the benefit of exercise in the fresh air and being out in the sunshine: "Get outside to maximise the action of sunlight on converting vitamin D, essential for healthy bones" (advice from nutritionist Dr Toni Steer, in 'What you eat'. Guardian, Tuesday 20th, 2004, p. 9).
Healthy bonesSome people, in particular women, may start to suffer from brittle bones, when they get older. Instead of HRT, which has until recently constituted the preferred therapy to counteract this tendency, but which now appears to give rise to unexpected complications, walking does the same trick, according to a study published in the British Medical Journal, quoted in an article on 'milk', Guardian Weekend magazine of 13 December. "Exercise may be the best protection against hip fractures," they say on page 51. See also the Dispatch section in the Guardian of Thursday, December 18th:
Why exercise makes the skeleton strong
A flight of geese in Winter
And what about fun?
Gorgeous landscapes, sunshine (with an occasional spot of rain, it is true) Walking with friends, or not, if you so wish, company is never far away.
Just putting one foot after another surely is the best way of experiencing the countryside!
(said by Janet Street-Porter on 'The Joy of Exercise Programme, 7th January 2004)
