The Free way to health in the Central Scotland Forest
Healthy exercise – is it for me? DEFINITELY!
Most of us feel we could benefit from a healthier lifestyle, but don’t find it easy to achieve. Constant warnings of shortening one’s lifespan, the threat of debilitating illnesses or general poor health may not be enough to kickstart a change of lifestyle.
The thought of healthy exercise tends to conjure up images of pricey gyms, sports centres, aerobics classes, equipment and kit. But, even forgetting the expense, these don’t appeal to everyone.
However, an easier and FREE alternative exists. Many health improvements can be achieved for free, using green spaces, woodlands and the open countryside, all of which provide opportunities for physical activity and relaxation. Half an hour of brisk walking five times a week is all one has to do to fulfil the government’s recommendation on exercise. And, if you walk briskly, or cycle, for half an hour every other day, it greatly reduces the risk of a stroke or heart attack, makes you feel much better, tones the muscles and, for most people, provides a "feelgood" factor which gives that extra ‘bounce’ to help cope with everyday life. It can also help weight control.
In addition to being free, countryside exercise requires no special equipment, facilities, aptitude or training and there’s room for everyone.
Healthy exercise in the Central Scotland Forest
The
Central Scotland Forest Trust, responding to government statistics on
the poor health of Central Scotland’s inhabitants (we have the highest
incidence of heart disease and strokes in the UK), is incorporating
opportunities for healthy exercise for novice walkers in most of its
projects.
We are even creating specific health walks in three communities. The locations are Black Moss Village Nature Park, in Armadale, West Lothian; Langlees in Falkirk and Torbothie near Shotts in North Lanarkshire. These sites were selected because they meet the essential criteria of being flat ground just steps away from where people live. Developing the health walks involves more than just creating paths, it entails building wider paths to allow social groups to walk three abreast; installing more benches and resting ‘perches’ for those requiring a break; and erecting interpretation boards to display health benefit information and to offer encouragement.
Future Sites
To keep the focus on health in the
Central Scotland Forest, more sites have been identified as meeting
health walk criteria. They include two possible routes in Greenhead
Moss, a much-used, now restored, open-cast mining site near
Cambusnethan and Wishaw in Lanarkshire; a route linking West Calder and
Polbeth which follows the Harwood Water in West Lothian; and a route
along an old mill lade and the River Carron near Broomage in Falkirk.
South Coatbridge Healthy Walking Scheme
This
scheme is different from those mentioned, as it is ‘footloose’. It is
not a single fixed walk but a mosaic pattern which allows the walking
group to vary the route they take. Based in the Social Inclusion
Partnership area of South Coatbridge, the approach was to bring
together people interested in walking to improve their health,
initially for local walks, and then expand the area of exploration. The
group now goes to Strathclyde Park and the North Calder Heritage Trail
and has plans to visit other areas of the Forest including major
attractions like the Falkirk Wheel and Summerlee. A key feature of this
group is that regular walking is balanced by a social interlude with
friends over a cup of tea, which is a very good way of maintaining the
commitment to your health when the Scottish climate isn’t so great!
Cycling
Having concentrated on walking, we
should not forget cycling. The Sustrans Route 75 crosses right through
the Forest from Edinburgh to Glasgow offering miles of good cycling and
the towpath of the Forth & Clyde Canal and the Union Canal offers
another cycling opportunity.
In summary, the Forest is open for you to choose your free way to improve your health. Walking, cycling or even horseriding - opportunities abound!
