By Gill Stewart at
We all tend to make resolutions we cant keep so this year why not make a pledge, sign up for a challenge and do some good at the same time?
Here are some great ideas for 2024
Buy nothing new month
Save your pennies and help protect your planet this January!
This campaign run by Keep Britain Tidy is in it’s second year and its a great way to help the plant by reducing waste and thinking about sustainability. Buy Nothing New Month is all about moving beyond simply recycling, to reducing the amount of new stuff that we buy, repairing things, and cherishing the things we already have. Those walking boots may look tatty but are they really ready for landfill?
Finding new ones that comfortable won’t be easy so maybe a new coat of waterproofing is all it will take to keep them going? So, before you hit the January sales, take a pause and consider if you really need the things you are tempted by? After all…….it’s not just good for the planet, it’s a great way to help navigate the cost of living crisis too.
Thinking of becoming more active? Join Move for Mind in January
This great campaign encourages you to complete 31 minutes of exercise for 31 days. Register today and get a free Move for Mind t-shirt. Then get some inspiration for ways to get moving from their friendly Facebook group and welcome pack. You can walk, run, dance, swim, skip – as long as you’re moving and having fun, it will count and will help somebody others too! . Sign up HERE
Fancy something more extreme? Why not walk 1,000 miles this coming year?
This great campaign is organised by Country walking magazine and is actually easier to achieve than you may think. Lot’s of our walkers take part in this and love the flexibility of this honesty based challenge. In essence it takes less than an hour a day to hit 1,000 miles in a year – roughly 2.74 miles a day. Obviously you might prefer to roll this into longer walks if that suits you better – it’s entirely up to you. You can access progress trackers and completion medals on the website plus lots of inspirational stories about how walking has helped people. It’s simple… just sign up and stick to it and you will feel amazing. Make sure you share that inspiration with others in the #walk1000miles community and by encouraging others to join you.
Click HERE to get started
Rescue a dog and your waistline?
There’s no better way to make sure you get out for a walk every day than to get a canine companion who will show you the lead (excuse the pun) when it comes to getting your daily steps in.
At this time of year there are plenty of dogs waiting for good homes and the commitment of a responsible owner. Speak to anyone with a rescue dog and they will confirm that giving an abandoned dog a chance is one of the most rewarding things you can do. Your new walking buddy will give you plenty of love, laughs and fun. Check out the DOGS TRUST HERE and the RSPCA HERE
Warning clicking these links could seriously affect your quality of life.. for the better!
Support Parkinson’s UK by doing a challenge Hike
Parkinson’s UK have partnered with Ultra Challenge series who organise walks all over the UK ( many of which are also attended by WALX and NWUK groups.)
A great way to train for a long distance walk in and inspirational location where you will be with others and feel supported every step of the way. Like these amazing ladies from WALX Ridgeway who completed the Chiltern 50 event in 2023
Here are a few of the dates and walks available to whet your appetite
Sign up via the Parkinson’s UK page HERE and be sure to encourage friends and family to support you to help those with Parkinson’s Disease by sponsoring you too. Share your pictures with the WALX team as we love to see you out there with or without your poles!
Help wildlife with every lifestyle change you make in 24 with the WWF my footprint app
This is not simply an activity challenge or pledge but a great way to look at how a mix of healthier ways to eat, travel and behave can reduce your carbon footprint. Whether you do more gardening, eat more fresh seasonal veg, walk more instead of using the car or sign up to any of the other ideas above. Be inspired by the difference these small things can make to nature and wildlife worldwide. This great App will help you to join others and reduce the impact that human activity has on the planet.
Find out more HERE
This time next year you will feel a great sense of achievement as well as BETTER all round!