May is National Walking Month and there are plenty of different opportunities to get walking in Portsmouth.
Portsmouth Healthy Walks have a variety of volunteer-led guided walks, taking place throughout the week at different locations across the city. There are walks for all abilities and all are free.
Residents with young children can join in the buggy walks, running every Friday in May from 1.00-2.30pm, leaving from Canoe Lake Café (last one of the month from Milton Children's Centre, Perth Road). These walks are a great way to get some exercise and fresh air, whilst meeting other parents and carers. You don’t need to book and they're free to attend.
Dr Jason Horsley, Director of Public Health at Portsmouth City Council, said: "Not moving enough each day can lead to serious illnesses like heart disease. Walking is a free and easy way to be active and stay healthy.
"You can often build more walking into your daily routine, for example walking to work, walking the kids to school, walking to the shops or walking with a friend whilst you catch up. This is what will help to keep you healthy."
Website livingstreets.org.uk offers top tips to increase how much you walk each day with the aim that you do at least 20 minutes every day. They're also encouraging people to rate the walks that they do this month with the chance to win a family UK city break.
There are also lots of free apps that can help monitor how much you're walking and encourage you when you need to take more steps. One is Active10, launched by Public Health England. This shows how much brisk walking you do throughout the day, and provides tips and encouragement on how to fit more ten minute bursts of brisk walking into your day. Search Active10 online to find out more and to download the app.
