5 Ways to Kick-Start Your Daily Walking Routine
May 14, 2024 | Tags:
Our lives are busy, and finding motivation to add more movement throughout the day can be challenging. Walking is a great option that doesn’t require any special equipment or skills. Studies show that a daily walk can improve your physical and mental well-being, including your memory and heart health. It can also help you maintain a healthy weight, boosts your mood and help you sleep better. Whether at home or at work, there are many ways you can find time in your schedule to get your steps in and keep yourself accountable.
1. Create a walking plan or step goal
A simple way to start a walking routine is to set a daily step goal. Start out small to keep your expectations realistic. Then gradually add to that number once you have a comfortable routine in place. You can use a fitness app on your phone or a pedometer to track your steps and make sure you’re hitting your walking goal. This will help give you a baseline to accomplish each day! If you don’t have any tracking equipment, try aiming for at least 150 minutes total per week.
2. Find a walking buddy
Trouble holding yourself accountable? Or would you rather hang out with friends than make time for exercise? Make your walking plan more social by bringing along a friend or coworker! Use your walking time to catch up or just enjoy nature together. Plan weekly meetups to keep your progress consistent.
3. Register for a local 5k or walk for a cause
Signing up for an event with a specific date can help you turn your intentions into an actionable goal with a deadline. Knowing you have a specific date you need to achieve your goals by can instill a better commitment to your exercise plan. Plus, charitable walks help organizations in your community, giving you an added boost of encouragement to hit your goal.
4. Split your walks into shorter sessions multiple times a day
Feeling like you don’t have enough time to get a solid walk in? Try splitting your walk into shorter sessions throughout the day – walk your dog in the morning, take a walk on your lunch break, walk during your errands or even take a stroll around your workstation at least once every hour. A few minutes walking here and there is better than no minutes!
5. Make a plan to stay active year-round
Stick to your walking goals year-round by preparing yourself to handle walking during the winter months. Try walking indoors at a mall or recreation center, or outside with the appropriate clothing and shoes to provide warmth and prevent slipping. Check for community events around winter holidays, like the Turkey Trot, to add a little fun and excitement to your walking routine.
Start your steps today!
Now is the perfect time to start a walking program or re-commit to a previous one. Even if your schedule has changed, you can still make time to walk. All you need is a decent pair of walking shoes and you can get started anytime, anywhere. If you need a little help to get started or prepare for your next walk, check out this list of general walking tips from the American Heart Association. Medicare Advantage members have access to Silver Sneakers®, which offers memberships to participating gyms and virtual classes at no added cost to you. Whether indoors or outdoors, committing to your daily steps goal has never been easier. Join Silver Sneakers® in the link above.
SilverSneakers is a registered trademark of Tivity Health, Inc.