30 January 2009, 09/20
Take your own steps to better health
Walk your way to health and join a brand new initiative that is
to be launched in West Lancashire to get people fitter.
West Lancashire District Council’s GP Referral Officers and the
Rangers, in partnership with Natural England, are running the new
walking programme, which has been designed for people aged 18 and
over of all abilities.
The ‘Walking the Way to Health’ scheme is to be launched on 12
February and the aim behind it is to improve the health and fitness
of those who want to become more active.
Walking is good because it can:
- Make you feel good and give you more energy
- Help reduce stress and help you sleep better
- Reduce blood pressure
- Help to manage your weight
Also, because the Council’s ‘Life Matters Exercise on
Prescription’ course is so popular, this latest health scheme has
been set up so that those who are on the waiting list can try the
walking programme in the meantime.
Cllr Geoff Hammond, Portfolio Holder for Community Services,
said: "This is a great initiative which will improve people’s
overall health and fitness, especially those who are not physically
active and want to become more active. Walking is great because
almost anyone can do it, it’s free and easy, is a chance to meet
new people and there’s very little risk of injury - so come and
join in!"
The first session starts on Thursday 12 February, 11am at Beacon
Country Park, Up Holland. The next walk is on Thursday 26 February,
11am at Coronation Park, off Park Road, Ormskirk. Walks will then
take place every other Thursday, alternating between these two
sites, with Beacon first, then Coronation Park, all starting 11am.
The walks will last for about an hour each time and will include
different routes.
For more information about the Walking the Way to Health scheme
contact Craig Baxter, GP Referral Officer, on 01695 555804.
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