When we launched Find Your Active’s Big Winter Walking Challenge, we hoped it would motivate people across Essex to stay active through the darker, colder days of winter. But one participant didn’t just rise to the challenge, she absolutely powered through it.
We are thrilled to celebrate Lorraine Evans, who recorded the most steps of any individual, clocking an incredible 736,564 steps and covering around 505km between December 1st and 24th. For Lorraine, this wasn’t about hitting a one‑off target; it was a natural extension of the active lifestyle she leads every single day.
A Day in the Life of Lorraine
Lorraine’s routine is a masterclass in how everyday activity can add up to truly impressive results. She rarely uses her car, instead walking or taking the bus everywhere she needs to go. A “typical” day for Lorraine involves:
- 3–4 visits to her local charity HQ which is around 2 miles each trip.
- A bus journey to visit her mum, paired with shopping or errands.
- Trips to friends, classes, and additional daily walks.
- Volunteering, using longer routes to maximise her steps.
She normally aims for around 10 miles a day, but with this challenge, and with an Long Distance Walking Association event on the horizon, she pushed herself even further.
Why Walking Still Excites Her
Despite years of long‑distance challenges, Lorraine says walking continues to energise her.
It helps her stay fit, manage her weight and most importantly gives her space to think and relax.
Lorraine is also a long‑time member of the Long-Distance Walkers Association (LDWA). This year she completed their prestigious 100‑mile event in 48 hours, an experience that cemented her belief in personal resilience:
“Anything is possible if you are determined. I had blisters and the dreaded ‘Lean’ but not completing simply wasn’t an option. As the saying goes, pain is temporary, failure is forever.”
Everyday Habits That Added Up to 736,564 Steps
Lorraine’s December total didn’t come from dramatic expeditions; it was built from intentional daily choices:
- Walking to bus stops further away
- Doing steps on the spot while waiting
- Taking extra walks around the village
- Classes that now incorporate additional step exercises
- Volunteering trips where she avoids the shortest route
Her success shows how small, simple choices can accumulate into something extraordinary.
Her Advice for Anyone Wanting to Walk More This Year
Lorraine’s number one recommendation?
“Don’t use the car.”
She believes that any journey under one mile is best done on foot or by bike, and that many short car trips are unnecessary:
“It seems crazy to me to drive to a gym or class when you could get the same benefit simply by walking more or walking to the class and treating it as your warm‑up if it’s only round the corner.”
It’s a refreshingly practical approach to building more activity into daily life.
Celebrating an Incredible Achievement
Lorraine Evans didn’t just take part in our Big Winter Walking Challenge, she embodied the spirit of Find Your Active. Her 736,564 steps and 505.1km total reflect consistency, passion, and a genuine love of movement.
Lorraine also perfectly reflects the spirit of our Women and Girls Like Us campaign. She shows that being active isn’t about athletic titles or gym memberships, it is about real women finding real ways to move in their everyday lives. Her approach is relatable, sustainable and grounded in confidence built over time, not perfection. Lorraine proves that when women embrace movement in ways that suit them, it can lead to powerful ripple effects: improved wellbeing, increased resilience, stronger communities and a belief that people like us absolutely can be active. She is a reminder that active women look different, move differently and find motivation in all kinds of places, and that every step counts.
And as daylight hours begin to stretch a little longer each day, it’s the perfect opportunity for all of us to take inspiration from Lorraine. Brighter mornings and lighter afternoons make it easier to get outside, enjoy fresh air, reconnect with nature, and find small pockets of movement that genuinely boost your mind as much as your body. Whether it’s a short walk around the block, a stroll to a nearby shop, or choosing the scenic route home, these brighter days are an invitation to move more and feel better than ever.
