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NHS Sheffield leading by example
28th April 2011
NHS Sheffield staff will get walking next week to show their support for Walk to Work Week and Walk Sheffield.
On Wednesday 4th May, staff will walk out of the NHS Sheffield HQ on their lunch breaks, ready with step-o-meters for a local history tour of Darnall.
This has been organised as part of Walk Sheffield which will be taking place across the city from the 14th to 22nd of the month.
Dawn Lockley, Physical Exercise lead for NHS Sheffield, said:
“Walking has been described as the nearest thing to perfect exercise – it’s free, easy and is suitable for virtually everyone, regardless of their fitness.
The Sheffield Walking Forum have been organising Walk Sheffield for the past five years, capturing both rural and urban walking opportunities across the city.
Whilst the Walk Sheffield event only lasts for 9 days, the intention is very much about getting Sheffield walking on a day to day basis. And this starts with our own staff!”
The physical activity recommendations for adults wishing to maintain health is to take 30 minutes of moderate physical activity, 5 days a week. Approximately 50% of the population do not achieve this, with a ‘lack of time’ often given as the main reason.
Therefore, building walking into daily activities is one way we can all achieve our 30 minutes, for example by, taking the stairs instead of the lift, walking to the local shop rather than taking the car and if you use public transport, by getting off a stop earlier.
By increasing physical activity, the risks of becoming obese or developing inactivity related heart disease and Type 2 diabetes are reduced.
Dawn added,
“Many of us prefer to use the car for the shortest of journeys which in the past would have been taken on foot. It has almost become too easy not to walk!
We’re so lucky in Sheffield though. We have unrivalled opportunities for walking and is one of the ‘greenest’ cities in Europe, surrounded by our seven hills and an entire third of us located within the Peak District National Park. Perfect!”
NHS Sheffield, Get Walking Keep Walking and Sheffield City Council will be helping to promote the lunchtime walk and are also running many activities across Sheffield this month.
To find out more about Walk to Work Week visit: www.sheffieldc4l.org.uk/2011/02/walk-to-work-week-2011/
Or, to take part and let everyone know you’re joining us and walking more, make your pledge known at: www.yhmsheffield.org.uk
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