National Walk to Work Day

Friday 3rd October

You may well ask, “Why do we need a national day declared to encourage people to walk to work?” With the pace of today’s modern technological society, I think we tend to forget that we are walking and running animals and walking is our natural mode of transport. It is a sad fact that for many people their daily walk is 20 metres to the car and 200 metres to an elevator. Therein lies our problem.

Across the board our society suffers weight gains and a decline in health standards. The remedy is so plainly simple and yet it seems it is not easy for many people to grasp and understand. Small habit changes can quickly put the trend in reverse.

All you need is comfortable shoes and a door to open, to discover that walking is the most convenient and most effective exercise available. Walk to Work Day is the perfect catalyst to start forming a healthy habit.

To lose fat, exercise doesn’t have to be rigorous, painful or extremely intense. The safest and most effective way for anyone to lose weight is to undertake low to moderate intensity activity for extended durations.

No gym memberships, no boot camps, no expensive personal trainers. Instead, my clients put on a comfortable pair of walking shoes and hit the pavement. Walking daily stimulates your immune system, burns calories and improves circulation. As a regular walker, you will also have less risk of diabetes, heart disease and some cancers. We are all living longer, and it is established that active octogenarians have less disease, more independence and better mental health too. Just remember, if you “don't use it, you lose it”.

It sounds simple because it is simple. We are animals designed to walk long distances by foot. Let’s not complicate it with timetables, treadmills or stressful boot camp classes.

Walk to Work Day is on Friday 3 October. Why not use it to mark the start of a walking routine? Even if you walk to the next bus stop instead of getting on the bus at your doorstep, it still counts. Walking in the morning when insulin levels are low is a great time for burning extra body fat. Walking releases endorphins so walking all or part of the way to work really is a great way to start the day on a high!

I encourage everyone to be a walking class hero by walking all or part of the way to work. Hosting a healthy breakfast is another great way to participate. Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day, as it ‘breaks the overnight fast’ by replenishing your body’s energy supply and providing many essential nutrients that help maintain health.

Registrations for Walk to Work Day (Friday 3 October) are open now at www.walk.com.au, and registration is FREE!

Marion Maclean
Director
You are what you eat – www.youarewhatyoueat.com.au

Bush fire danger period begins

Illawarra Zone

NSW Rural Fire Service Illawarra Zone has declared the start to the statutory Bush Fire Danger Period (BFDP).

From October 1 any person wishing to light a fire in Kiama, Shellharbour and Wollongong will require a permit. During a Total Fire Ban however, no fires of any kind may be lit even if you hold a permit. 

"Commencement of the Bush Fire Danger Period does not prohibit landholders from burning. In fact, we continue to encourage properly prepared and managed hazard reductions. It does mean however, that permits will be required for lighting fires, said Superintendent Richard Cotterill, Illawarra Zone Manager.

`Fire permits are free and can be obtained from your local fire station or fire control centre. For more information contact RFS offices at Albion Park (4256 2838) or Bulli (4284 8596) during business hours.

`As temperatures get warmer we also ask people to be careful when using fire. The current conditions across most of NSW mean that fires are more likely to develop, possibly threatening life, property and the environment.

`It is an offence to allow a fire to escape from your property and it is your responsibility to ensure that fires are not left unattended.

`We strongly advise residents to contact their local brigade and use their expertise to assist in carrying out safe and successful hazard reductions.

`If the fire does escape, it is essential that the landowner call Triple Zero (000) immediately so that emergency services can respond accordingly and minimise the damage,” said Superintendent Cotterill.

NSW Rural Fire Service