Put on your walking boots and take a stroll to enjoy the winter landscape and burn off all that Turkey and Christmas pudding!

Today the government is urging families to go for a walk on Christmas day to burn off all the calories cosumed as part of their annual turkey roast dinner.

This comes as a surprise to someone like myself who always goes for a walk after a hearty Christmas dinner. I suppose it’s just as well that its a family tradition in my house to walk off a large dinner when apparently the typical Christmas dinner adds up to 1,500 calories which is a half of a man’s recommended daily intake and three quarters of a woman’s.

Even without a Christmas dinner to walk off, it’s an especially beautiful time of year to go for a stroll with friends, family or a furry companion. With so much of the country ground to a halt by the snow, there’s never been a better time to take some time out and stretch your legs.

All you need is a good pair of walking boots and some warm winter clothing.

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of walking in winter with its clear skies, crisp air and stunning scenery that’s blanketted in snow and sparkling with frost.

While it’s tempting to stay cosy and warm inside at this time of year, staying physically active during the cold winter months can make a very big difference to your health, especially when we’re tempted to eat and drink a bit more than we normally would around Christmas.

If you’re in the habit of falling asleep in front of the television after your Christmas dinner, get up and take the family for a traditional festive walk. You’ll all feel thoroughly better for it and enjoy the exercise, especially is someone starts a snowball fight!

So stay active this Christmas, even if it’s just a casual stroll after your annual Yuletide feast.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Walking.org