Are You Almost On Track With Walking?
By Sandy Schroeder
Sometimes I spend more time making excuses than it would take to get the job done. That can happen with walking routines too. It’s all too easy to let life interfere. An extra meeting, a late start on the morning, or an unexpected task can replace walking if we let it.
Walking is so easy to do, and so available, that it can be tempting to let it slide.
Here are some good strategies to make it happen.
Line Up a Buddy – Pick your most active friends and plan a time to walk with them. As you enjoy meeting with your friends, you will also be putting in some regular walking time.
Set Up Walking Cues – Most of our daily habits depend on surrounding cues to get done. If you tie your walking routine to a specific part of your day, or another routine that you always do, it is a lot more likely to happen.
Build In Options – When your morning walk gets lost in a chaotic schedule, have a couple more options ready. A lunch walk, walk with the kids after work, or dog walk in the evening can fill in. Keep a pair of gym shoes at work, and another pair in your car.
Hum or Read, Too – Using your favorite tunes or audio books to keep walking interesting could be the way to keep walking in your schedule. When you get hooked into a plot, or your favorite songs, walking becomes a lot less tedious. If you are walking outside, only use one earbud to be aware of traffic.
Walk Your Dog or Someone Else’s – Volunteering to walk the family dog guarantees you will be out there. Your dog simply won’t let you forget. If you do not have a dog, you could volunteer at a shelter, or join a neighbor as they walk their dog.
Change Up Everything – If your regular walk is boring, look for ways to make it better. Pick a different time and see what walking is like early in the morning, while it is all quiet, or at the end of the day when lots of people are out. Pick a new park, or add an errand. Or, just flip your walk around.
Keeping walking in your daily routine is definitely worth the effort. Over a period of time you may see better health numbers, weight loss, and mood improvements. One of my friends says she’s hooked on walking because she always gets her best ideas when she is out there.
Keep looking for reasons to walk and enjoy the results.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.
