The Irish Heart Foundation’s new Move More Walking Challenge will help you complete a 5km walk in just six weeks.

One of the best ways to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke is to get moving and walking is a great place to start.

It is recommended that all adults get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity five days a week. However, according to the HSE, just one out of every three people in Ireland is active on a regular basis.

Most people aged over 65 in Ireland are inactive and four out of five children in Ireland are still not getting enough exercise. All of this creates serious risks to your health and wellbeing.

By staying active, you can reduce the risk of as many as 35 chronic diseases including heart disease and stroke.

The Irish Heart Foundation has teamed up with parkrun Ireland to promote ‘parkwalk’, a parkrun initiative to encourage local communities throughout Ireland to get walking.

Parkrun events are free, weekly, timed events and with parkwalk, participants can walk the route at their own pace with the support of parkrun volunteers.

The Irish Heart Foundation’s new ‘Move More Walking Challenge,’ aims to help people complete a 5km parkwalk.

The ‘Move More Walking Challenge,’ is a six-week programme to help people achieve the physical activity guidelines and walk a 5km route at their own pace with the ultimate goal of completing a parkrun walk. Each week, participants will be encouraged to increase their step count, increase the distance they walk and introduce some mobility, stretching and strength exercises.

Walkers are supported with video demonstrations and tips on heart health. Each week, participants will be encouraged to increase their step count, increase the distance they walk and introduce some mobility, stretching and strength exercises.

Commenting Tara Curran, Physical Activity Coordinator with the Irish Heart Foundation said, “Walking is a great way to keep healthy. It’s free, sociable, we can do it anywhere, anytime. Regular physical activity can help reduce blood pressure, cholesterol and weight but to get all these great health benefits we need to be active for at least 30 minutes, at a moderate intensity, five days a week.”

“There are 3 key signs that tell you when you are working at a moderate-intensity; you begin to become aware of your heart beating in your chest, your temperature increases and it becomes a bit more difficult to chat, “she added.

To find out more or sign up to the Irish Heart Foundation’s ‘Move More Walking Challenge’ see here.