Wild Wishes 25 July 2010

“Walking:  the most ancient exercise and still the best modern exercise” 

  - Carrie Latet

Family Walking

Walking is one of the most primal movement patterns known to man. We know walking burns calories, improves the immune system, massages internal organs, removes toxins, improves energy levels, increases mental clarity, reduces depression and improves well being.

And, if you walk with your family, along beach promenades, suburban and coastal bush tracks, walking can also improve communication, coordination, balance and upper body strength.

So, how do you go about getting the kids to join you on a family walk?

Here’s a few tips:

1. If the kids are little, put them in a back pack
2. Play little games with kids as you walk, such as spotting plants or animals, or finding little treasures such as funny shaped stones, leaves or seeds.
3. Have a goal in mind, such as “Once we reach the lookout, everybody gets a treat.”
4. Walk in the rain with rain coats and float leaves down the gutters. But make sure you don’t stay out too long, and have a hot choccie when you return!
5. Walk around the rocks at the beach. This will really increase your kids confidence and also improve your own balance and coordination. (Take care to check the tides before you start.)
6. Get everybody a pedometer so you can count the number of steps you do. 10,000 per day for adults and 15,000 for kids over 6.
7. Teenagers might need to be bribed to walk, but once you get them out, they usually enjoy it. You might find one on one walking with teenagers works a treat and it’s amazing what they might reveal in conversation. But make sure you don’t walk too far or too fast, cos you’ll turn them off.
8. Go for a night walk with your partner or teenager. This can be a real adventure, but ensure youre in a safe location.
9. Check out http://www.adventure.com.au/AdventureWalkers.asp for ideas of walks, or use walks that you know from your trek training sessions.
10. Plan a family walk adventure such as the Spit To Manly, or the coast walk from Dee Why to Manly, or South Head to Rose Bay. And make sure you pack yummy food for a magic moment in a stunning location.

I guarantee that the whole family will be on a high afterwards and you’ll be giving your kids a gift for life by giving them the opportunity to walk in interesting locations in nature.

Di Westaway

Director, Wild Women On Top