Sometimes walking can get boring. We see the same thing over and over again. Or we are walking the same route and it’s redundant. Our motivation starts to wane and we wonder why are we doing this? So when your motivation slumps, here are ten ideas to get you up and moving that amazing body of yours.
10: Remember the Benefits of Walking
There is a reason you chose to start walking. Maybe it was to lose weight or to help you with your anxiety or depression. Don’t forget WHY you started. Sometimes our why is enough to get us off the couch and back out into our neighborhoods. If you need a little refresher check out the blog post on the Top 12 Reasons to Walk.
9: Walk with friends or Family
Invite a friend to go on a walk with you. It’s a great way to catch up, build that relationship and get healthy all at the same time. Some of my favorite walks are meeting a friend at a local park, setting a goal for how far we will go and then sharing in the beauty of nature. I also belong to a weight loss support group and we will arrange to meet up for a 2 or 3 mile walk. As we walk, we talk about the challenges of our weight loss journey and exchange tips and ideas that have worked for us. Another idea is to try and set up a time with your accountability partner to meet once every two weeks to walk together.
8: Walk the Dog
Grab your pups and head out outside for a walk. Not only do you benefit from the company, your dogs benefit too. They need the stimulation of an adventure outside just like you do. Often when I go out for a walk with Ellie and Kayah, I meet other dog lovers and it’s nice to say hello. Sadly, I tend to know the humans I meet as Indy’s dad or Thorin’s mom. I’ve got to work on that.
I tend to take two walks a day; my morning walk is for pace and distance and it’s just me and my headphones. My afternoon walk is a bit slower with the littles and the pups. It’s great to continue the exercise and get my 10,000 steps in. And side benefit, Ellie ( the black and white dog) is now an accountability partner. Ever since we started taking afternoon walks she is at the door in the afternoon and letting me know in no uncertain terms that I better grab that leash and get moving.
7: Listen to a book on Audible
6: Listen to a Podcast
Podcasts are absolutely amazing. They are short and to the point. I can usually get in one 30- 40 minute podcast in while walking 2 miles. They help me judge my time, keep my mind occupied and engaged. I use Spotify for my collection of podcasts. Others use Itunes or Stitcher. One of the things I like about using Podcasts as I walk is that I can change up what I am listening to based on my mood. A few of my favorite podcasts right now are: The Happiness Lab, Do It Scared, Joyce Meyer Enjoying Everyday Life and the His and Her Money Show.
5: Explore New Neighborhoods
Recently I was doing my normal walk around my neighbor and I saw this road that went off into a new subdivision. It was three blocks of shaded walkways without sidewalks and gorgeous houses with big front porches. Veering off the beaten path took me to an interesting new world that held my attention and interest!
4: Change the time of day you walk
Each of us has a favorite time of day to get out and walk. You might be a morning person or love a late afternoon walk. I wonder though, have you ever considered walking at night or walking as the sun rises. Try it and see if it invigorates your walk, motivating you to continue your walking habit. Here is a link to our Youtube video of a walk around a local park just before sunrise.
3: Walk to your favorite tunes
George Eliot said, “Life seems to go on without effort when I am filled with music.” This is the same when we are walking. Depending on my mood and energy level, I find that the music I select will pump me up so my pace quickens or help me to keep time during my walk. I make playlists through amazon music for different walks. You could also use an app like apptiv which is a paid subscription that has various guided audio workouts from walking and running to working out using your elliptical.
2. Join a Walking Challenge
There is something motivating about competition and accountability. When you join a walking challenge you are committing to yourself and others to get in a certain number of steps,miles, or minutes each day. On July 1st, I invite you to join our 31 Days of Summer Walking Challenge! Each day we will have a short motivational video and a place to share how your accomplishments. If you click on the link above you can get all of the details. Other options for walking challenges include creating a group challenge with your fitbit friends or joining the World Walking group to track your steps and gain badges.
Drum Roll Please, the number one motivation to walk tip is….
1. Walk in Nature
There is something magical and mood lifting about going outside your suburban or urban neighborhood and taking a walk in nature. The sounds of waves lapping at the shore, a creek bubbling or birds singing as you venture under a tree’s canopy will soothe your soul. So the next time you just don’t want to lace up those shoes choose a park or nature trail instead and see how it will transform your walking routine.
I hope all of the ideas help to restart your walking routine and motivate you to get out there and walk. This post is a part of a 5 part series leading up to our July Walking Challenge. We hope you will join us.
Walking in Grace with You,
~ Lori
