Brisk walk

Take a brisk 30 minute walk today.

Make sure that you’re slightly out of breath to get maximum benefit – but you should still be able to carry out a conversation.

Exercising outdoors is beneficial for both your body and mind.

A brisk walk on New Year’s Day seemed like the perfect way to ‘start as I mean to go on’, especially after a slightly over-indulgent festive period. My calorie intake has definitely been high enough to warrant some exercise – however moderate.

I live in central London and don’t really have any green spaces to use, so I decided to walk into the City. There are plenty of landmarks on the way, like the remains of the London Wall and St Paul’s Cathedral, and it’s always motivating if I have something to look at other than pavement and corner shops.

So in the early afternoon I stepped out in my trainers. I have to admit my enthusiasm was knocked by the January drizzle, but the rain wasn’t heavy enough to use as an excuse not to leave the flat.

As the first day of a healthy living planner, a brisk walk was simple and fulfilling. It was definitely better than sitting on the sofa all day. I was out for just over half an hour and in hindsight I’m glad I went out before our new TV from the sales arrived, because I don’t think I’d have been able to drag myself away if it had got here first.