That's one small step for Mind.

Posted Monday 2 July 2012

I first saw the 10,000 Steps Challenge mentioned on Twitter, and after going to the site I decided that it was for me. I’m in no way sporty, but this just encouraged you to walk or cycle a little bit more each day.

I knew the Governments guidelines state we should aim for 10,000 steps a day to keep fit, and I had tried several times to do this myself, but had not kept it up.

My doctor advised me to get out for walks, to aid with my depression, as it would get me out of the house and also help me with my weight. So with the support of my GP, and having the added incentive of raising money for Mind, I was able to get really get behind it.

Part of the fun of the challenge was seeing how I could increase my steps in more ways that just walking. For example, in March when we had the short burst of sunny weather and it was nice enough to hang washing out on the line I would put out each piece individually, walking up and down the garden path 20 times. That number doubled when the washing had dried and needed to be brought in!

My fiancé was very supportive of me taking up the challenge and he would often accompany me on walks in the evening.

This gave us the opportunity to spend time together and talk, which helped me talk about my depression and how it was affecting me, and discuss with him ways in which I could manage it. Not all our chats were serious though, and we’d often end up laughing over very silly things!

We also got to explore a lot of the local area around Milton Keynes, finding some hidden gems in what people think is an urban jungle. 

I also boosted my steps by walking or jogging on the spot, and I found listening to music and doing a few hundred steps an evening a good way of ridding myself of some of my anxiety.

From having done the challenge, not only did I have the knowledge that I’d raised over £600 for Mind, but I also had the satisfaction of sticking with it for (very nearly) the duration. Sadly, personal reasons prevented me from doing the last three days but I was happy with the knowledge that I’d done both my physical and mental health a great deal of good.

I have already signed up to do the next challenge, again in aid of Mind, and am positive that I will again get a boost in my health.

Angela

You can follow Angela on Twitter or visit her blog site at www.meatina.com

Do good, feel great
You can still register for the 10,000 steps challenge.

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