When I'm active - I feel so much better.  But, I find it a challenge.  I'm never going to be a gym bunny, but getting outdoors for a dog walk or bopping away in a dance class are things that I really love doing.  

This pandemic has a lot to answer for.  I've gone from 10,000 steps a day easy to barely making it over 3,000, because I don't leave the house.  This has to stop and I need to find the energy and motivation to start doing the things that put a smile on my face.

So, this May I'm taking on Edinburgh Leisure's brand new Movement for Good Challenge and committing to being active for 30 minutes every single day throughout the month.  I'm hoping that this will increase my energy, give me a boost of those endorphins and help me ensure being active is part of my daily routine.  So, I'm going to dig out my walking boots and trainers to get the step count up and find the joy of being more active.

I'm also raising sponsorship for Edinburgh Leisure's Active Communities programme.  Working for Edinburgh Leisure means I see firsthand the difference this work makes to people by improving their health, wellbeing, and quality of life.  Each year the team support over 10,000 people affected by health conditions, disabilities, inequalities and poverty and I think that's pretty impressive.

They help people like 81 year old Mary who has arthritis and often suffers from pain in her knees. Living on her own Mary struggles to keep active and can often feel lonely and isolated in her small flat. Mary got in touch with Active Communities to find out more about their low-level walks. Mary now meets a group of friendly volunteers and participants each week for some gentle exercise and a blether. Completing her walk gives her a real sense of accomplishment each Monday morning and sets her up well for the week ahead! Her spirits have lifted and she is now in regular contact with some of the new friends she has made. Regular walking has improved her mental health and helped her manage her arthritis.

Please help me support people like Mary through Edinburgh Leisure's Active Communities programme by donating now.  

Thank you

Zoe x