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How to add your steps to our Virtual Walk

We are walking -virtually- from St Michael’s Mount to Mont St Michel Our virtual walking holiday is in full swing. So far, we have walked along the South Coast of the UK, from St Michael’s Mount near Land’s End in Cornwall, to Exeter in Devon. Not signed up yet? Read this first! You have signed up, are part of the Group, and you have joined the walk. How do you…Keep Reading

How to join our virtual walk – for computer phobes-

We are walking -virtually- from St Michael’s Mount to Mont St Michel Our virtual walking holiday is in full swing. So far, we have walked along the South Coast of the UK, from St Michael’s Mount near Land’s End in Cornwall, to Exeter in Devon. I love how it gives us a common goal. It might inspire you to go out and give your step counter a bang for its…Keep Reading

And we are off…. on our virtual Walking holiday

Yesterday I invited you all to join me on a virtual walking holiday, as a way to have some fun, stay socially connected and active, while we have to keep physically distant from each other. 9 members have now signed up to join me on this adventure, and we have already made good progress! As some of you will know, I went on a very real adventure in 2016, when…Keep Reading

Quarantined? Let’s go on a virtual adventure together

Stay physically distant, but socially connected. Let me help you stay motivated, active and happy. Let’s go on a virtual walk together. Use your fitbit or step counter on your phone to add steps to our walk. All steps count. You can walk in the safety of your living room, in your garden, on your balcony, or in your local park. I have picked a walk with great views for…Keep Reading

Walking for Parkinson’s

http://www.fitandhappyoutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/thames-bridges-trek-2019-015.jpghttp://www.fitandhappyoutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/thames-bridges-trek-2019-015.jpgWalking for Parkinson’s

Walking for Parkinson’s. We did it! For those of you who missed it: On Saturday we walked from Putney to Southwark park, crisscrossing over all the bridges we came across in between. 25 kilometres, 16 bridges, lots of stairs, wading through crowds on Westminster bridge and Southbank, and loads of smiles and friendly faces. We took part in this event to raise money for Parkinson’s uk and there is still…Keep Reading

Romania Walking Week 2019

28 August-4 September Impressive views, unspoilt nature, green valleys and lovely locals I am super excited to announce our newest plans for a walking holiday in Romania! This time I have teamed up with Silvia to design a holiday in Romania, just as we like it. Plenty of nature, lots of culture and interesting architecture, lovely walks that are challenging enough, but not too challenging (hey, it’s a holiday!). We…Keep Reading

Tree of the month: the Alder

http://www.fitandhappyoutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/20180227_150545.jpghttp://www.fitandhappyoutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/20180227_150545.jpghttp://www.fitandhappyoutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/20180227_150545.jpgTree of the month: the Alder

Walking around the parks of London, we get to see trees in all seasons. Trees I might have walked by without thinking, suddenly grasp my interest. It might be that the winter sunshine catches the red of the berries, even more spectacular when the leaves are all gone. Sometimes the particularly white and softly haired leaves catch my eye in early spring. Making me wonder what that tree is that…Keep Reading

Well done to the participants of the Big Half

Well done to the participants of the Big Half

To all of you who will Nordic Walk the Big Half for Silverfit on 4 March 2018: My hat is well and truly off for you. So many of you have been training tirelessly over the past months. In rain or shine, you have been building up your distances, strength, technique, and endurance. I have been watching you with admiration. How you overcame aches and pains, and have learned to…Keep Reading

How to train for the Big Half

http://www.fitandhappyoutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Training-for-Big-Half.jpghttp://www.fitandhappyoutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Training-for-Big-Half.jpgHow to train for the Big Half

Deciding to sign up and Nordic Walk the Big Half (marathon) can be an amazing thing to do for yourself. You will raise money for an exciting charity, led by older people for older people, whilst giving you a great reason to get off that couch and stay active this winter. Some things to think about before you decide to sign up for the Big Half Ask yourself the following:…Keep Reading

Let’s start Training for the Big Half

http://www.fitandhappyoutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/TBH-495x320-01-1032x576.jpghttp://www.fitandhappyoutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/TBH-495x320-01-1032x576.jpgLet’s start Training for the Big Half

On Sunday 4 March 2018 the Big Half will take place in London. The Big Half Marathon that is, starting at Tower Bridge and finishing in Greenwich, passing through the boroughs of Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Lewisham and Greenwich. Silverfit, well known to many of our Nordic Walkers, has a limited number of places available. The Big Half aims to be truly global and uniquely local in a celebration of the…Keep Reading

Halloween: a Nordic Fright night walk and a terrifyingly good party

http://www.fitandhappyoutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Burgess-Park-2017-Fright-Night-slider.jpghttp://www.fitandhappyoutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Burgess-Park-2017-Fright-Night-slider.jpghttp://www.fitandhappyoutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Burgess-Park-2017-Fright-Night-slider.jpgHalloween: a Nordic Fright night walk and a terrifyingly good party

This year was Fit and Happy Outdoors 4th Halloween, and the suspense was killing me. The wonderful location we had used in the past years had been closed down this summer. Apparently we were not the only ones who loved the circular barbecue area in Burgess Park. This summer, parties had been a daily occurence in Burgess Park, and not all of them had been so quiet as ours. Many…Keep Reading

Fear of failure – what my expedition taught me about the upside of failing

Fear of failure – what my expedition taught me about the upside of failing

Of the things I have feared most in my life; the fear of failure is probably my biggest fear of all. It has played a major role in the way I have lived my life so far, but my expedition this summer has been a great learning school. Time to re-evaluate my fears. In school, my fear of failure meant that I didn’t pursue the subjects I didn’t think I…Keep Reading

Choosing Nordic Walking poles

Choosing Nordic Walking poles

Choosing Nordic Walking poles can be daunting, there are so many diffent brands and models. To help you, I have written a guide explaining the most common options. Nordic Walking poles are different from trekking or ski poles, mainly because they connect differently to your hands. Ski or trekking poles usually have a simple loop, which means that you loose your hand position on the pole if you let go…Keep Reading

Goal setting – or The Power of One Small Step

Goal setting – or The Power of One Small Step

Are you one of those people who think that change can only happen if it is done in a big and bold way? Are you convinced you need a complete life style makeover to lose weight? Is it even possible to achieve anything in life if you don’t set some big bold goals? Go big or go broke? This is the question I asked myself before I set off on…Keep Reading

Sea kayak expedition day 10 – Beachy head and the Seven Sisters

Sea kayak expedition day 10 – Beachy head and the Seven Sisters

These days, it seems like I spend as much time drying gear as I spend paddling. I am starting to understand that what makes a long trip in the UK hard is not do much the paddling itself, but the work it takes to keep your gear comfortable and in working order. The salt of the sea covers your clothes and prevents them from drying. Out on day trips, we…Keep Reading

Sea kayak expedition day 9 – The surprising kindness of strangers

Sea kayak expedition day 9 – The surprising kindness of strangers

After yesterday’s long paddle I decided to take it easy today and to stay an extra night in the very civilised camping in Norman bay. I was yearning for a nice cooked breakfast and the reception recommended the bakery in Pevensey bay, about a 20 minutes’ walk along the shingle beach. It felt good to walk and slowly my tight muscles loosened up again. The bakery was full when I…Keep Reading

Sea Kayak expedition day 8 – From dawn till dusk and beyond

Sea Kayak expedition day 8 – From dawn till dusk and beyond

Waking up at the crack of dawn, I find out that my phone has refused to charge off the full battery pack. So, no tide information, no pictures, and no alarm! I am lucky that the light woke me up at 5.30 anyway. Breaking up quickly, I manage to set off at exactly 7 am. Still feeling very sleepy, I paddle as fast as I can. But it still isn’t…Keep Reading

Sea Kayak expedition day 7 – They’re shooting!

Sea Kayak expedition day 7 – They’re shooting!

Before I set off on this trip I had planned very little. Just as well: I am learning now that whenever I do plan something, my plans will be thwarted anyway. It started on day 3 with my plan of going to Whitstable for lunch, when a shivering sandbank got in my way. Then on Tuesday I had thought of going to Folkestone, when the wind was much stronger than…Keep Reading

Sea Kayak expedition day 6 – No squirrels, no seals, but lots of bunnies

Sea Kayak expedition day 6 – No squirrels, no seals, but lots of bunnies

An appointment to the hairdressers had seemed ridiculous before I set off, but now, after less than a week on the water, my fringe is hanging in my eyes and my ponytail is completely tangled and matted together. I decide to use my day off to find a launderette to wash some clothes and a cheap hairdresser to untangle and cut my hair. By three pm I have done all…Keep Reading

Sea Kayak expedition day 5 – White cliffs…. and wind!

Sea Kayak expedition day 5 – White cliffs…. and wind!

Getting up early is now becoming a routine, and packing up the kayak is taking less and less time. As bothersome as a steep pebble beach as helpful it proves to be if you want your kayak back into the sea; she just slid herself down. I set off in good time and said goodbye to my beautiful beach. I hadn’t even paddled five minutes when a seal popped its…Keep Reading