There was a time when walking was fun…you just may not remember it! When you first learned how to walk, it was new and exciting. You could move around like the “big people” and get into stuff. Now, walking is routine, but even more important. Walking can get you healthy and help keep you that way, and getting in your recommended 30 minutes a day of movement doesn’t have to be a chore or boring. Here are 21 fun ways to step your walking game up – no more excuses! Take the three week challenge and try a different one every day. See your body and mind transform!
1. Walk with a friend.
Take a walk with a friend you haven’t seen in awhile and use that time to play catch up. The time will fly by!
2. Start or join a walking group.
Sites like Meetup.com make it easy to find other people in your area that want to get out and walk. For the ladies, check out GirlTrek and walk with your local group (or start your own team!).
3. Give yourself a reward.
Treating yourself to a nice dinner at the end of the week, or giving yourself $1 for every 10 minutes (30 minutes = $3) you walk might be the incentive you need to keep moving.
You May Also Like
SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER HERE!
4. Buy a pedometer.
A pedometer counts your steps and if you’re feeling competitive this could become your best friend! It’s recommended to get in at 10,000 steps daily. Can you do it!
5. Walk across the country.
Now you can visit someplace new without leaving your neighborhood. Calculate how many miles there are between your city and your dream destination and challenge yourself to walk that many miles.
6. Skip the treadmill.
Walking without a change of scenery can get BORING. Keep your walks outdoors and only use a treadmill as a last resort.
7. Meditate.
Use your walking time to focus on your breathing and relax your mind.
You May Also Like
8. Count calories.
Use an app on your phone to track how many calories you burn with each walk.
9. Call a friend.
Can’t get a friend to walk with you? Call them instead and spend the first few minutes of your walk to quickly catch up.
10. Watch the sunrise.
When’s the last time you’ve seen the sun RISE? Get up and out early and take in the glory of a new day.
11. “Read” a book.
Your daily walk is a great time to listen to an audio book.
12. Make it a lunch date.
Use part or all of your lunch break to take a walk. Not only will you get in your walk, but you’ll relieve some workday stress!
13. Learn something new.
Watch/listen to a tutorial on Youtube about how to do something you’ve been meaning to learn.
14. Explore a neighborhood.
Take a walk on the other side of town and see some different sights.
15. Window shop.
Walk around the mall or in the downtown area of your city and see what sales you can find. You just might walk yourself right into a deal!
16. Buy new walking shoes.
Something about new shoes automatically makes walking more fun.
17. Get romantic.
Take an evening stroll with your ‘boo’ and build more intimacy in your relationship.
18. Take your children.
Walk with your kids, or any young people in your life, and hear what they have going on. Talk about school, friends, music, etc.
19. Take the long way to work.
If you commute by train or bus, get off a few stops early and walk the rest of the way. It’s a perfect way to get centered before getting into you j-o-b.
20. Get dessert.
All things in moderation, right? But, if you want dessert, you’re gonna have to earn it! Walk to a yogurt or ice cream spot and your treat will be the reward. Extra points if you walk back after.
21. Walk for a cause.
Diabetes. Breast cancer. Lung disease. Put your miles to good use by walking in a charity walkathon. You may walk more than you thought possible by not just walking for yourself.
Visit the BlackDoctor.org Weight Loss center for more articles and tips.
