Walk Time Trials prove that my fitness levels have increased

Alida always loved walking and knew that it was a good way to exercise for her as she had suffered from weak ankles after various breaks over the years. The impact of jogging was too much for her body and left her breathless and uncomfortable. As a none driver, she already walked a lot and found it easy and recognised the benefits it could bring to her health and wellbeing.

At the 2009 Vitality Show in London, Alida listened to one of my talks ... and the rest is history!

"I was completely amazed at what a fantastic motivator Joanna was. Her talk was the last one that me and my friend went to that day and it was the best one! She shook hands with every single person in the room, introduced herself and afterwards quite a few people followed her to her stand because, like us, they found her talk very influential and motivating, which touched us."

Alida became a member of my Walkactive Club there and then, despite being unemployed at the time. "I saw it as a great investment. I am now employed full time and am very much looking forward to doing one of the Walking Spa Breaks and perhaps one of the courses in Regent's Park having been to some of her Walk Time Trials. I use my pedometer all the time and log my daily steps. They are ingenious!"

Alida decided to use her membership benefits and joined us at her first Walk Time Trial the following month. Not only did she have a lot of fun, but she was impressed by her own personal time in completing the walk. "It was amazing to have Joanna there to motivate us as she does every single time. And, she's right, I have improved my timed walk quite a lot since my first one thanks to her motivation and encouragement and I'm very proud of that. I love having her there, with a big smile on her face, it's so valuable for every single one of us. For the past two months I've been able to be at the front of the group which has been a great satisfaction for me personally."

Her primary aim was not to lose weight but to improve her fitness level which, as she has done as can be seen by her improved time of completing my Walk Time Trials. Walking has contributed to Alida's weight loss and she has also been working out at the gym and with a trainer to help with recovery from an injury.

I am delighted that walking well is working for Alida in her day to day life and that she is enjoying the support that being a Walkactive Club member offers. Seeing people reach their goals using my walking technique is what makes my work worthwhile! I'm looking forward to seeing Alida at September's Walk Time Trial (if you'd like to join us please visit the SHOP to book your place) to help keep her walking well. Our Walkactive Club is full of people like Alida who are enjoying the various events that we host and who are making walking work for them. Congratulations for all the effort that you are putting in and for putting your best foot forward - I'm so pleased that it is paying off for you!

© Joanna Hall 2013