Friday 11:06
Lose a few pounds - and save some
There is nothing like a good Christmas break to round off the year. But after the hectic last minute shopping and indulgent Christmas dinner, it's all too common to make New Year's resolutions to get into shape and save money. This year, why not make this a resolution you can really stick to: make 2005 the year when you walk to school.
Think about it - if you walk to school regularly:
* You don't have to go to the gym to keep fit... * ...and you can save yourself the embarrassment of wearing tight-fitting lycra * You can save money on petrol * You can beat the traffic as don't have to rely on the car * Best of all, you and all your family can enjoy the benefits
SIX REASONS TO STICK WITH THIS ONE RESOLUTION IN 2005
1. BURN CALORIES: A brisk one-mile walk to school and back burns around 150 calories. 2. GET A HEALTHY HEART: Walking to school boosts the metabolism, burns fat and helps cut the risk of heart disease by up to fifty per cent. 3. MEET NEW PEOPLE: Nearly nine out of ten parents who walk their children to school see it as a better way of meeting new people than going to pubs, clubs or supermarkets. 4. DO THE MARATHON...23 TIMES! Daunting? It shouldn't be - the average parent and child cover the same distance each year on the school run. So become a marathon walker with just a few minutes' walking each day. 5. GIVE YOUR CHILDREN WHAT THEY WANT: Research shows that nearly half (48%) of children would like to walk or ride their bikes to school even more if they could. 6. SAVE MONEY: The school run doesn't come cheap. It costs families on average over £300 a year in petrol and wear and tear to their car. Think what else you might be doing with that money.
Professor Stuart Biddle, Professor of Exercise & Sport Psychology, Loughborough University said:
"It can be difficult to motivate yourself to stay fit but by building exercise into your everyday routine, for example by walking to school, you'll have a greater chance of succeeding. You're also more likely to stick to walking if others do it with you, so try getting other family members involved. Walking to school can be done at almost any age and it's an excellent way to help the whole family stay healthy."
Client ref YH/464/04
