Island Life Magazine Ltd April/May 2006 | Page 17

FEATURE Keep young and beautiful - Walking with children Physical activity is essential to a child’s development. The earlier that exercise is introduced into your child’s life, the greater the chance that they will carry this pattern through into adulthood. Feel fit and beautiful inside and out. Increase your circulation. Exercising brings a healthy glow to your skin so put your ‘Wight foot forward’. Walking with children, whether power walking or simply brisk walking, is a great way to get them moving. You’ll provide them with an important role model and firmly plant the idea that walking is a natural and normal activity. Sample of new walks for 2006 – we have added a few unusual walks to the programme this year, they include Tai Chi Walk, Meditation Walk, Speed Dating and Fire Walk. You even have the opportunity to join the Editor of Country Walking Magazine – Johnathan Manning on two of his favourite walks. Walking can be made fun. Children will walk further when there is something to see and do along the way. Try different routes that take in parks, streams or woods, or why not collect some interesting things along the way? New for 2006 Walking alone? No longer! The Isle of Wight Walking Festival’s new ‘speed dating walk’ gives you the chance to meet the ‘perfect person’ or just to have a lot of fun with like-minded people. Tuning into teenagers Walking is an ideal way for teenagers to control their weight healthily and sensibly. Teenagers need challenges, so activities such as hiking or orienteering are good ways to keep them active. The speed dating walk, 13th May - will be along around Sandown Bay with stops en route for liquid refreshments and food. This walk promises to be a lot of fun so sign up now and possibly change your life! Meet at the Longshoreman Shanklin Esplanade at 2.00 pm for a leisurely walk along the coastline. Prior booking is essential. For details contact (01983) 203888. Take control and think positive and beautiful thoughts Knowing how to take the first step towards meeting a challenge is what separates those who achieve their goals from those who don’t. With the right attitude and simple techniques, any one of us can make the changes we want and work towards achieving our dreams. It just takes practice and courage. - Walking outdoors takes you into the sunshine instead of the unnatural lighting indoors. The combination of physical exercise and natural light releases a ‘feel-good’ chemical in the brain. - Most people have positive feelings about being in the countryside. Psychologically, we benefit by thinking of our next walk. Island Life - www.islandlifemagazine.net 17