Walking Group check in. How did you do in January.

Well that month soon went didn't it. Only another eleven more to go of the Walk 1000 Miles in One Year Challenge. So how did it go for you? With extremes of weather happening all over the world, and this being an International Walking Group, there will be some people who are going to be struggling to get out. Parts of the UK have snow, but we are ok at the moment here in the east of the country. We may get some eventually.

Lets have a look at who is taking part in the challenge this year.

Samantha - Sheffield.....Kath K.....Ruth K.....Mrs Off-Grid Feral.....Hazel c UK.....Cherie K.....Slave to a sighthound.....Fiona.....Linda - London.....Anne.....Beachcomber.....Hazel Dxb.....Judith - Switzerland.....Ray Nicholson.....Jeanneke.....Wendy Elisa.....Simone.....Julia.....James Jepson.....Odette.....Hilogene Oltman.....Vickiey.....Alison Central Scotland.....Sue P.....Kay Schmitz.....Hilde.....Jeanette.....Sandi.....Jenette.....Linda Martin.....Jayne.....Kate on the Coast.....Mary Rothfus.....Christina B.....Pam Davis.....Jenny P.....Mut657.....Jacquie.....Nicki.....Jennifer Christie.....Joy - Central Vic Australia.....Connie S.....AT.....Heather.....Alicesav.....Alison - Victoria BC Canada.....Rentintin.....Melanie.....Jo.....Welsh Walker.....Susie W.....Renee.....Bunty Moore.....Patricia in Canada.....Gillian.....Eilidh.....Jana.....Gillie.....Lisa NSW.....Deepti - Auckland.....Sonja North Carolina.....Shelly Williams.....Apartment Cat Katie

What are the rules? There are no hard and fast rules. You are responsible for measuring you own mileage and you can do that whichever is the best way for you. There are electronic gadgets, fitbits, pedometers, GPS on your phone. I measure mine by using a web site Bikehike.co.uk. I have a 2 and a 3 mile route around my village which I walk most days. When I go further afield I take an OS map and mark where I have walked as I am doing it, then check the distance when I get home. If you use this site, you want to toggle the map sizes so the OS map is larger on the right hand side of the screen.

It's up to you whether you record every step you take, or if you only record the distance when you go out for a walk. For instance, I don't record my shopping trips, but when I put boots or trainers on and go for a walk, I count that in. You can do what suits you best. It isn't a competition, isn't a race, you are doing this for the benefit of your good health. The idea is that you do some exercise.

You might not make the 1000 miles, perhaps set your own target a bit lower. I'm impressed by those readers who have been doing this for a while, some are doing more than me. Well done, keep it up. This isn't a short term fix for a few months, something to try then stop when you get fed up. That will not bring you many benefits, and when you stop you will undo all the good work that you have put into it. It's a lifestyle choice, a commitment to do the absolute best that you can for yourself.

63 names on the list, myself makes 64, a fantastic number. So I'll start the ball rolling and declare that I am on 84 miles. Don't forget that February is a shorter month so a bit more effort is needed to stay on target. Good luck everyone and thank you for taking part.  ilona