When James Hughes was diagnosed with diabetes and was struggling with his mental health, it was the beginning of a long journey with fitness that was to transform his physical and mental wellbeing. But he didn’t find help at the gym or with a personal trainer. Instead, he put his walking shoes on, strapped on a backpack and went out for a walk, a decision he says improved his life far beyond his expectations.
James chose rucking, an accessible form of exercise that has its roots in military fitness and involves going out for a walk with a weighted rucksack. He believes that because it is relatively simple and easy to do, he’s able to motivate himself to get outside, even on those days when he doesn’t feel like it.
‘The first thing I did this morning was look out the window, and I thought, no, the backpack’s going to be far too heavy today. But it’s one of those things; you’ve got to do it to feel the benefit.’
Starting slowly and gradually building up the weight and distance, James got stronger, felt better and started losing the pounds too. Walking in the countryside in all weathers has improved his ‘mental state 100% more’ than he thought it would.
November is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, and Movember is a global campaign that focuses on men’s health. Stepladder, a men’s mental health and wellbeing project run by Second Step and Open Mental Health, is telling James’s story to remind men how small steps can make a big difference. Stepladder helps men make connections in their local community, reaching men who might be finding life tough.
Don’t think rucking is for you? Visit Stepladder’s interactive map Men’s Mental Health Activities – Second Step (second-step.co.uk) to find lots of activities and groups that can help you move your body and make a change. There is something out there for everyone.