Women across the UK could be donning their ladies fitness wear and heading out of the door on Friday as the government urges families to take a walk on Christmas day to burn off the calories they consume at lunchtime.

The Department of Health has launched Walk4Life, part of the Change4Life campaign, and is calling on families to bring back the tradition of a Christmas day walk to burn off some of the 1,470 calories that are, on average, included in a Christmas dinner.

Ruth Somerville of Ramblers, said: "Walking is ideal for the post-dinner calorie burner, as you can tailor it to your own pace. If you feel stuffed to the gills with mince pies, then you can walk gently at first. Gradually you'll burn them off."

She said that walking as a family gets people communicating more as they are not distracted by the television.

Ms Somerville added that walking improves mood as it improves the circulation of oxygen and serotonin in the body.

Posted by Martin Sebborn. ADNFCR-2569-ID-19528989-ADNFCR

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