Walking more is a brilliant way to build fitness and improve your physical and mental health. If you’d love to step things up this spring, these simple challenges will help you get going at your own pace so that you can enjoy the fantastic benefits of regular activity.
Why is increasing your steps important?
Getting more active benefits your health and weight loss in ways you might never have imagined, including:
- better sleep
- improved mental health
- reduced risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers
- stronger bones and muscles, which will keep you mobile and robust as you age
- maintaining your weight loss long-term
How to get started
Choose your goal
It’s a common myth that we need to hit 10,000 steps a day to stay fit and healthy. The truth is, any extra movement uses energy and helps to improve health.
If you’re new to activity, 10,000 steps might be an unrealistic target. Instead, aim to do a bit more than you currently do, and build up gradually at your own pace. That’s the key to making activity an enjoyable habit.
Track your progress
Keeping an eye on your progress will help you stay committed to your goal. Most smartphones have a built-in step counter, or you can pick up a smartwatch for less than £20.
More for members: Connect your fitness app to our activity tracker to automatically record your step count. Last year, our members clocked up more than 34 million steps between them!
8 ways to boost your step count
Explore the outdoors
Spending time in nature has been shown to improve our mental wellbeing, and nature reserves or local parks are excellent places to start. Find somewhere new near you on the UK Government’s local park finder.
Slimming World member Becca, who’s lost 12lbs so far, gets her steps in with a blustery walk around a National Trust park.
Take walking breaks
Even for very active people, sitting still for too long can increase the risk of health conditions such as type 2 diabetes.
Break up long periods of sitting by going for a quick stroll. Even getting up and walking from one side of the room to the other will clock up extra steps and start to bring benefits – make it a five-minute walk for even more of a health boost.
Sign up for an event
Organised running and walking events boost your commitment to activity, and get you discovering new routes and meeting new people.
Slimming World Consultant Kelly keeps fit by doing a weekly Parkrun with her members.
If you’d love to take part in Race for Life, find out how Slimming World members can get 50% off the entry fee until 6th April.
Maximise your commute
Walking to work is an easy way to boost your step count and fit activity into your existing routine.
If you can’t walk the entire way, you could park further from your workplace, get off the bus a stop early or walk to the train station.
Find a fitness friend
Pairing up with an encouraging walking partner can really increase our motivation to exercise.
You could join a walking group, meet a friend for a walk around the park – or take a brisk stroll along the beach with your family, like Slimming World Consultant Kerrie.
Use the stairs instead of the lift
Climbing a flight of stairs gets your heart and lungs working harder and helps tone your leg muscles.
Make it fun
Combining a walk with other activities you enjoy will encourage you to stick to your fitness plans. These ideas will liven up any stroll:
- Press play on your favourite playlist or podcast.
- If you walk on a treadmill, watch your favourite TV show.
- Use apps like Pokémon Go, Walkr and Geocaching to turn your stroll into a game.
Consultant Nicola, who lost 4st with Slimming World, has discovered a passion for mountain hiking since she started her Body Magic journey.
Try a Slimming World walking podcast
Our exclusive guided audio walks are here to help members walk their way to better health and fitness – and have fun while they do it!
Take the first step to a fitter, healthier you
When you join Slimming World, you’ll gain access to our full Body Magic tool kit. It has everything you need to level up your activity, including:
- the Slimming World app and website – home to our activity tracker, exercise guides and fitness-themed podcasts
- more than 90 workout videos to suit all abilities, ranging from five to 30 minutes long
- mindset-shifting online articles to get you off the starting blocks and make moving more a regular part of your week
- our unique FITT log, to help you identify and overcome any personal obstacles
- motivating Body Magic awards, to inspire you through your fitness journey and celebrate your achievements
*If you’re planning to start a new exercise programme, we recommend you check with your GP first – especially if you have an existing health condition, such as high blood pressure, diabetes or asthma. If you’re pregnant, check the suitability of the exercise with your midwife.