I’m not at all motivated when it comes to doing exercise and I’ll make any excuse why I can’t fit some into my week. I’d rather write than slog my guts out in a gym for an hour. Sadly, writing does not produce what Terry Wogan describes as a ‘racing snake’ physique.  Best-selling author Carole Matthews calls the resulting posterior spread ‘writer’s bum,’ as over time you start to fill the seat of your chair.  She’s been a full-time writer for over 15 years and knows that it’s every bit as important to put exercise into her day, as it is to write a chunk of her current book.  Therefore, if I’m going to hang on to the new, slimmer me; I’m going to need to follow Carole’s lead.

The one fitness goal I have is to get back into hill walking. Because I used to be very overweight I haven’t hill walked for many years; but I surprised myself on Boxing Day by completing a 7 mile walk with no problems. Admittedly, Bedfordshire is hardly Scafell Pike, but it’s a start. More recently, another opportunity presented itself and I said yes to giving Nordic Walking a go.

Nordic walking began back in the 1930s, when Finnish competitive cross-country skiers decided to keep using their poles while walking during the summer months. They kept their cardiovascular fitness and were much better prepared for the start of the racing season.  By the 1980s it had become a recognised recreational activity across continental Europe and the first classes were taught in the UK in 2001. There are now over 1000 trainers in the UK alone.

It’s a very different way of walking and there are a set of skills that you need to learn. Using Nordic Walking poles means that your upper body muscles are used as well as the ones in your legs and the poles propel you along at a faster rate than you would usually walk. Somewhat conflictingly, you work harder but it feels easier!  It’s great for helping you to shift that extra weight too; as you burn 20-40% more calories Nordic Walking than you would on an average walk.

From my first session I could clearly feel the increased cardiovascular benefit and I was zipping along enjoyably at quite a lick. Striding out in the lovely Bedfordshire countryside is infinitely more attractive than staring at the four walls of a gym.

I had four introductory sessions, which gives me a competency card and enables me to join the organised walks which happen all over the country.

As soon as I completed my sessions I went out and bought my own poles and have been putting in some 3-4 mile walks just to get out in the fresh air on a regular basis. I’ve also been using the stride techniques on my daily walk to work. I’m walking faster and arriving a full two minutes quicker than I’ve done in the past.  On bracing winter days it’s great for getting the blood pumping and warming you up.

If you enjoy walking and fancy using it as a way of getting fitter, then Nordic Walking is ideal way of achieving it.  A set of 4 introductory lessons will cost about £40 and Nordic Walking poles start at around £25 a pair.  Go to www.nordicwalking.co.uk and search for an instructor in your area.