Unfit, lacking in energy, overweight? Stressed-out, sedentary and low in spirit? Finding it difficult to drag yourself out of bed in the morning? Your get-up-and-go has got-up-and-gone? Do you recognise this person? I certainly do.

More than ten years ago, I suddenly realised I was beginning to slow down. I was unfit, I didn’t have as much energy and I’d put on weight. At one time I played tennis, squash and badminton regularly, and as a busy teacher, I considered myself a fairly active person. But the passing years were starting to take their toll. I found it hard to include exercise in a busy life and very easy to find excuses. I’m sure you know them all:

• not enough time
• too tired at the end of the day
• you’d rather relax than exercise

So I decided to exercise more and get fit. I installed an exercise bike in the bedroom. I tried following umpteen exercise plans in women’s magazines. And I must have tried every exercise fad going, from going to the gym, to yoga, callenetics, skipping, aquarobics, and jogging (Oh, my poor knees!). You name it - I tried it. Not that there’s anything wrong with any of these exercises - but how many people do you know who keep them up, week in, week out throughout the year.

I was desperate for something that actually worked, something that I could keep up, and something that was FUN! And then it dawned upon me. Why not walk more often. I’d always loved walking, from being a child. So I decided to step up my pace, leave the car behind a bit more often, and just get out in the fresh air. And it was a revelation.

The first thing you find is that you don’t have to spend hours in the gym to get fit. Getting fit and keeping fit can be as simple as walking out of your own front door. All you have to do is step out at a brisker pace and step out more often. That’s what I did - and I’m still doing it!

Walking is simple and fun and it’s the most natural exercise in the world. After all, you've been doing it since you were around a year old. It's safe and almost injury-free and regular fitness walking does more than keep you fit - it provides a marvellous feel-good factor. And it’s inexpensive - all you need is a pair of comfortable walking shoes.

Don’t forget that healthy eating is as important as regular exercise. By combining fitness walks with The Walker’s Diet you will soon begin to zip off several pounds a week and your diet will be much healthier. Take a look at how Step It Out can help you reach your goal.