Mary Kenny: I never cared for walking. Then I started counting my steps and it became a daily obsession

When you reach your target, the app sends you a little round of applause and a special star. I was as delighted as if I'd been awarded a good-behaviour prize in primary school.

I used to consider walking a boring form of exercise. It's regarded as healthy, but rambling along somewhere on foot seems rather pointless.

An old adage disparages golf as 'a good walk spoiled', but at least walking on a golf course has a purpose - it's done for a sporting reason, unlike aimless ambulation.

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