National Walking Month: Why I walk

Happy National Walking Month! Now that evenings are lighter for longer and the weather is improving, it's the perfect opportunity to get walking. Read about supporter Sue's walking journey and maybe you'll be inspired to start too!

Finding a passion for walking

I have always loved walking, but in recent years I was doing less and less. Last summer we went on holiday to Cornwall and did lots of walking. At the end of the fortnight, I realised that the osteoarthritis in my knees was much better, so I decided to keep walking as much as I could when I returned. That's when I decided to set myself the target of a 10 mile sponsored walk and built up gradually to walking that far. I definitely have less pain and more range in my knees, so exercise has really helped - plus it is helping me to build strong bones. Weight-bearing exercise is one of the best ways to build strong bones and the more you can walk, the stronger they will be. 

Why I support the ROS

My maternal grandmother had osteoporosis and my mum was diagnosed with it back in 1992, when I was also expecting my first daughter. Mum was particularly upset because she couldn't pick up my daughter as she got bigger because she feared breaking bones. 28 years on, my Mum has very poor mobility because she has had so many fractures. She struggles with most every day things. My dad helps her a lot with personal care and fetching and carrying, but he has Alzheimer's Disease and so she finds that he forgets what he is doing or doesn't finish jobs. This means that she has to do more, causing her more pain.

Walking during the pandemic

I live in the Mendip area of Somerset, so basically anywhere locally is lovely to walk. I walk as much as I can now - places I would have driven to before, I'll now walk to. The pandemic has made me walk much more than before! I've been working from home since February 2020 and this meant that I could take regular breaks from my laptop and go for walks throughout the day. I also joined a wonderfully supportive women's gym when I returned from Cornwall in July 2020 and we have met in person when lockdown restrictions have allowed, but most of the sessions have been on Zoom. I also found that before last summer, I couldn't do gardening for more than 15-20 minutes without having lower back pain and having to stop for a rest. Now I have much less back pain and I can garden for two or three hours without stopping, which has made me very happy!

Looking after my bones

I was told I had osteopenia and I was obviously upset about it, but knew it was likely that I might lose strength in my bones because my Mum and Grandmother had osteoporosis. It made me more determined to do weight-bearing exercise, eat calcium-rich foods, take Vitamin D supplements and sit in the sunlight regularly to absorb the sun's vitamin D. I have a bone density scan every five years and the last results were encouraging in that things hadn't worsened. Since joining the gym and walking more, I will be very interested to see the results of the next scan because I am definitely stronger and fitter now, and hope that this has increased my bone density.

Sue's top tips

• Just do it! Start with short distances, like going to the end of your road and back or round the block, and gradually build up the distances you walk.
• Set yourself an achievable target, start building up and ask friends and family to sponsor you. You will be raising money and doing important weight-bearing exercise at the same time, so it's a win win!
• I really love nature, wildlife and being outdoors. When you're out walking, listen out for birdsong and if you stop and watch you'll often see all sorts of birdlife. Being outdoors is great for your mental health and wellbeing too!