Promoting Wellness Through Movement – National Walking Month

In today's modern world, where sedentary lifestyles are becoming more common, including simple physical movement such as walking into our daily routines can improve overall health and well-being, making it a powerful step towards a healthier, happier life.

Whether you are walking around your home or neighbourhood or taking a leisurely stroll through the park or on the high street, walking provides numerous health benefits for people of all ages and fitness levels.

Regular walking improves cardiovascular health, aids in weight management, strengthens muscles and bones, and enhances joint health. It also boosts mental well-being by reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression and mental fatigue.

WISE and Get Fit Wales – A step towards better health.

With National Walking month well underway, it’s the perfect opportunity to spotlight our partnership with Get Fit Wales who have an innovative step programme that includes walking as one of the easiest ways to improve our health and stay connected to our community.

What is Get Fit Wales?

Get Fit Wales is an innovative target-based step programme designed to reward people for staying active and adopting healthier lifestyles.

By linking an individual’s profile to their step tracker such as a FitBit account, participants earn points based on the amount of steps taken and quests completed. The goal is to encourage participants to reach the NHS Choices recommended target of 10,000 steps a day.

The points accumulated through completing quests can then be converted into vouchers that can redeemed in businesses across Cwm Taf Morgannwg, such as fruit and veg stores, gyms and fitness classes, barbers, hairdressers and much more  .

Community Impact and Continued Engagement

Data collected has shown that participants in the Get Fit Wales programme, not only increase their physical activity but also demonstrate a strong desire to continue using local health services even after the project ends. This sustained engagement highlights the lasting impact of the programme on individual and community health.

Sign up to Get Fit Wales through the WISE programme

Empowering individuals with self-management skills is central to the WISE approach to physical and mental wellbeing. Our courses support you in incorporating regular physical activity into your daily routine and the Get Fit Wales initiative is one of the options. This complements other wellbeing elements taught on our courses such as sleep, social connection, mental wellbeing, healthy eating and minimising harmful substances.

Explore our Health App Library, hosted by ORCHA, for various health management applications to support your journey: https://ctmwise.orchahealth.com/en-GB . For more information about Get Fit Wales and how to join the WISE Programme, please email CTM.WISE@wales.nhs.uk or call us at 01685 351 451.