Put Your Best Foot Forward
Take part in the 2012 Great British Walking Challenge...
If you're looking to lose weight, get fit, make new friends or explore your local area, then national charity Living Streets has an idea for you.
Why not take part in its Great British Walking Challenge?
The challenge, which lasts the whole month of May, is free to enter.
Once the challenge begins, a special online tool will monitor every walk taken (it can add up minutes spent walking, 
miles covered or steps taken - and even logs the numbers of calories burned).
This May we're hoping to get the whole country walking. Every step will count as we unite on a mission to see how many times we can collectively walk between John O'Groats and Land's End.
As part of the month-long challenge we'll be asking people to walk to work and kids to walk to school for at least a week.
The Great British Walking Challenge shows that you don't need costly gym sessions or marathon training to get fit and active. Walking is a free and easy way to work more exercise into your daily routine - and it is often overlooked.
Tony Armstrong, Chief Executive of Living Streets
Anyone can take part in the Great British Walking Challenge, regardless of age or fitness levels.
You can take to your feet for a morning stroll around your neighbourhood, get off the bus a stop early, stretch your legs at lunchtime or walk to your local shops rather than driving. Every single step counts - and you could compete with your friends and family, neighbours or even work colleagues.
Walking is good for your mind, body and soul and the benefits are well documented:
- Regular walking can reduce the risk of stroke, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, some cancers, osteoporosis and arthritis. It can also increase your good cholesterol and boost the immune system.
- Walking can help you lose weight. When you walk, you boost your metabolism and burn more energy: walk for 20 minutes per day for a year and you should burn off half a stone (7 pounds) of body fat.
- Walking releases endorphins, which can improve mood, reduce anxiety, aid sleep and improve self-image. Active people have a reduced risk of suffering from clinical depression.
- Studies have found that walking can combat the decline in brain function associated with ageing and aid concentration
As part of the Great British Walking Challenge, don't miss Walk to Work Week from 14th - 18th May then from 21st - 25th May get your kids walking during Walk to School Week.
All participants have to do is register on www.livingstreets.org.uk/gbwc.