TAKE 30, the Ramblers Scotland guide to walking for health and fitness

7th March 2013

Ramblers Scotland is today launching TAKE 30, a campaign to support the UK Chief Medical Officers’ recommendation that we should all be aiming to take at least 30 minutes of moderate activity 5 times a week. TAKE 30 supports GPs as they encourage their patients to be more active in the NHS Health Scotland led pilot being launched by the Minister of Commonwealth Games and Sport this Thursday and is endorsed by Dr Andrew Murray, the Scottish Government’s physical activity champion and the Royal College of General Practitioners.

Jeannie Cranfield, Ramblers Scotland’s Games Legacy Advisor said:“The Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next year provides an incredible opportunity to inspire people to be more active in their daily lives, but a profound cultural change is needed in Scotland if we are to improve the health of the nation. This is most easily done through spending more time walking and cycling for everyday journeys and for fun. We need to motivate people to get up from their desks and walk about, get outside over their lunch break, get off the bus a few stops early, park the car 30 minutes walk away from the office and get the bike out of the garage.

“As part of our TAKE 30 campaign we have developed a TAKE 30 guide - www.take30.co.uk to walking for health and wellbeing, to encourage more people to be more active in their daily lives. Walking is an excellent natural exercise that almost everyone can do, that costs nothing and helps us stay fit and healthy. This guide includes a 12-week individual walk programme to help anyone, wherever they live, to get started in increasing their physical activity levels.

“Everyone across Scotland should know they need to to TAKE 30. This simple message can have a positive impact. We want to see the TAKE 30 message reinforced in health centres across the country, and people building physical activity into their everday lives.”

Dr Andrew Murray said:“We know that physical inactivity costs the Scottish Economy about £660 million and that getting people active can help to treat over 20 diseases. Around 75% of people die now from preventable diseases, and walking can help treat the majority of them – each step is a step to health.

“I’d urge everyone to look at this resource and if it’s for you, get on and use it. It’s providing a solution to a problem. Health professionals including GP’s, and practice nurses are increasingly aware that it’s almost always safe to get our patients to be more active and it’s significantly to their benefit. Everyone knows how to walk, it’s not difficult, and if we can get people walking regularly it will improve health and happiness. We as health care professionals need to be offering our patients the very best, and physical activity is a first line treatment for many conditions.”