Walkers lead by Karen Williams and Chairman of Epping Forest District Council, Cllr. Penny Smith head off with a free MP3 player given by The Active Health team at Epping Forest District Council. The MP3 contains a podcast of the walk and its interesting natural history features, narrated by Tricia Moxey and Karen Williams.
AWARDS FOR ALL - LIFEWALKS PROGRAMME 
This programme of walks in the Epping Forest District is part of the Lifewalks programme run by Epping Forest District Council and supported by A Vision of Britain CIC
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT LIFEWALKS,
PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ THIS BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY WALKS
What is Lifewalks?
Lifewalks is a walking for health scheme organised by Epping Forest District Council Community Services. Lifewalks is approved by local doctors and hospitals and the West Essex Primary Care Trust. It is part of the national campaign walking for health which is promoted by Natural England and The British Heart Foundation.
Every week, Lifewalks offers a choice of group walks, led by specially trained staff. There are walks across the Epping Forest District so you will find one near you. You do not have to live in the District to join Lifewalks.
Why go walking?
Walking is fun, cheap and a form of exercise everyone can do. Going for a walk just three times a week can reduce your risk of:
Having a stroke – by up to 60%
Developing heart disease – by up to 50%
Developing diabetes – by up to 50%
Developing arthritis, osteoporosis and alzheimer's disease – by up to 20%
Walking is also the ideal activity if you are recovering from a heart attack or heart surgery, or are feeling stressed or depressed.
What kind of walking should i be doing?
You only need to walk a little faster than usual. Health walks are not 'power' walks. You just need to walk as though you are a bit late for an appointment. Fast enough to get warm, but not sweaty. breath a little faster, but still able to talk normally. feel as though you have had some exercise, but still do a bit more. for just 20 – 30 minutes, walking a little faster than usual and without stopping gets your heart rate up. That's what does you good, so on Life walks you should only stop for a rest if you need to. Ideally you should exercise five times a week for 30 minutes. That
doesn't mean every session has to be a Lifewalk. In fact most people are only able to come on one or two Lifewalks each week. For your other sessions you should go out for a health walk just with your partner or friend. Or you could go for a swim, play badminton etc. there are dozens of activities to choose from. Even if you are only going to walk around the shops just walk a bit faster and you will still do yourself good.
What kind of walks do Lifewalks offer?
All the walks are around local countryside and mostly on firm paths. The distances range from 0.8 mile to 3 miles. This may seem quite short but it's how fast you walk not how far. On days when we do a short route, we go round twice for those who want to do more. The paths are mostly gravel, grass or tarmac so are easy to walk on. The
routes are all graded for the amount of effort needed. There is parking at all the meeting places some of which can be reached by bus.
How can i find out if it is safe for me to go on Lifewalks?
Everyone who joins Lifewalks is a bit worried about whether they will cope with the distances or trying to walk a bit faster than usual. We therefore recommend that you ask your GP if it is OK for you to join Lifewalks before you come along for the first time. Whether or not you have seen your GP, we will ask you to fill in a short questionnaire about your general health on your first visit. This will help us decide if it is safe for you to come on the walks.
If we are in any doubt, we may not let you join until your GP has given his or her formal consent.
Footwear
For each walk we recommend dry, wet or very wet shoes: Dry shoes are sturdy, flat lace ups. Trainers are suitable for Level A walks but only if the weather has been dry. wet shoes are sturdy, water resistant, flat lace up shoes or boots. very wet shoes are either walking boots or wellies. Please do not wear slip-on shoes, open-toed shoes, or shoes with high heels. Please upgrade your shoes to the next level if it has been wet, as even gravel paths can have muddy patches after rain. For example, if the route recommends dry shoes but it has rained recently, please wear wet shoes. Please note we can't let you take part in a walk if the leaders feel your shoes are unsuitable.
Path surfaces
Paths can be tarmac, gravel, stony, grass or earth. Grass and earth paths may be uneven in places and possibly muddy and a bit slippery after rain. So please don't come on walks which are mostly on grass or earth paths if you have any problems with your back, hips, knees or ankles or are just generally a bit unsteady on your feet.
Weather
Life walks go ahead even in the rain. If we have heavy snow or very icy conditions the walk may be cancelled. Unfortunately if this is the case a walk leader may not be able to get to the start of the walk and we would ask walkers to take weather conditions into consideration before they leave home.
Routes
Please see pages 16 – 23 in the Lifewalks Diary for a description of each walk.
Gradients
Level a walks – These routes are on flat, hard surface paths. There may be a very short slope or a very short stretch of grass but that's all so everyone can do Level A walks
.
Level b walks - Part of the route will include a grass or earth path section, and /or two or three short slopes, or one longer but gentle slope. These walks therefore need a bit more effort. Most people can do Level B walks right from the start but, if you have any breathing or mobility problems, do a few Level A walks before you try a Level B.
Level C walks – These walks include either a long or steep hill on good walking surfaces, or are not too hilly but have a longish grass or earth path section, which can be quite hard to walk on.
Level D walks – These walks have a long steep hill and also may have an earth path section, which can be hard to walk on. They therefore need a lot of effort.
Level e walk – This walk has several very steep hills and you should only do it if you can confidently walk a level D walk
Please do not come on Level C, D and e walks until the Lifewalks leaders have said it is safe for you to do so.
Longer walks
On most days when we do the shorter routes (0.8 -1.4 miles) there will be the opportunity (for those of you who would like to) to do the route twice.
Enquiries:
If you have any questions, please call Karen Williams at Epping Forest District Council Leisure Services on 01992 564222
email: kwilliams@eppingforestdc.gov.uk
Click here to see more information and the Lifewalks timetable...
Or download a PDF of the timetable and these instruction here...PDF
Part of the objects of A Vision of Britain is to work with other organisations, councils and CIC's to encourage more people to become involved in Active Health walks. With so much beautiful countryside and many nature reserves and woodlands this area has lots of good places to get out and see. Health and fitness is vital to our well being A Vision of Britain uses multimedia and natural history to make its walks more appealing and interesting to those that who are not keep fit addicts. Photography provides a relaxing and enjoyable way of getting exercise and some mental stimulation. If you want to know more, email us with your details and we will get back to you. Contact us...