Family walks in the snow will burn off the Christmas calories
Walkers got the official Government stamp of approval today as a minister urged Britons to revive a festive tradition and take to their feet to burn off some of the calories from their Christmas lunches.
The Christmas Day walk – once a feature of family life – is returning to popularity. One national newspaper’s poll suggested 62 per cent of people in Britain would take a post-prandial stroll on 25 December, compared to only 40 per cent last year. The Government reckons if it could persuade every person to take a stroll after their festive feast, a total of 50 million miles would be covered.
The average Christmas lunch contains 1,470 kcal, and that’s without any alcoholic input. Forsaking the sprouts would save only 30 kcal, so that’s a lot of energy to walk off – more than half a man’s recommended intake and three-quarters of a woman’s.
Public health minister Gillian Merron said: “Whatever the weather, a traditional festive walk is a great way for families and friends to avoid that sluggish feeling and have a more active Christmas.
“Being more physically active can make a real difference to your health; taking that extra walk is something we can all enjoy as a family.”
She was speaking in support of the Walk4Life campaign, which has teamed up with the Ramblers to promote a series of winter walks and compile a list of top ten walks.
Ms Merron said: “Walk4Life is part of our groundbreaking Change4Life campaign which is supporting families to ‘eat well, move more and live longer’ throughout the year.”
Tom Franklin, chief executive of the Ramblers said: “Winter is a great time to go walking. There’s nothing like a crisp winter day and the kids will really enjoy themselves if it snows.
“But it’s also important to stay active and make the best of the short daylight hours by getting out of doors, helping you walk off the mince pies and avoid the post-Christmas blues.”
The Ramblers’ festival of winter walks series kicks off on Boxing Day and runs until 3 January.
The top-ten list of walks is:
- Bermondsey and the Thames in London
- Moseley Bog in Birmingham
- Worrall Fields in Sheffield
- Highfield Country Park in Manchester
- Heswall Dales in the Wirral
- Darwin Walk in Shrewsbury
- Hartington in the Peak District
- Harting Down in the South Downs
- Beccles Marsh Trail in the Broads
- Dawlish Discovery Walk in Devon
