Motivate yourself to walk

Read any self-help book or article and one of the top tips is to walk every day.  Even though we know that exercise is good for both our physical and mental health, there are times when we struggle to motivate ourselves to go out for a walk especially on damp dreary days.  So what can we do to increase our motivation?

Remind yourself of the benefits of walking

Not only does walking burn up calories, help your digestion and boost your immune system, it also helps you to get a better night’s sleep.  Walking is good for your mental health too by reducing anxiety and depression as well as increasing creativity.

Get a walking buddy

Find someone to go for a walk with you.  If you have someone to talk to while you walk, you don’t notice the time passing and the chances are that you will walk a greater distance.  Remember a walking buddy could come in the form of a four legged friend too but don’t rely on it for an indepth conversation!  Also consider joining a walking group or going on a walking holiday.

Join or create a walking challenge

Many charities have walking challenges designed to improve fitness but also to raise funds.  I have my #200rambles challenge for 2022 where I am aiming to walk 200 rambles in 2022 but each of them need to last at least 30 minutes.  Publicise your walking challenge on social media too so you are accountable to your friends and family to complete the challenge.

Have a treat after you walk

This could mean a trip to a coffee shop after you have walked three miles.  Or just a chocolate bar when you return home although be careful that your treat doesn’t negate the health benefit of walking!

Be a weather watcher

Grab the opportunity to walk when there is dry weather unless you don’t mind walking in the rain.  Weather apps such as the Met Office can provide you with an hourly forecast so you know when it is likely to be dry for your walk.

Track your walking progress

Use a Fitbit or iPhone Heart to see how your walking is progressing.  Try to beat last week’s walking distance by walking a little bit further this week.  If you are trying to lose weight, a regular weigh-in will encourage you to keep walking as you are seeing the benefits of your walks on your waistline.

Find new places to walk

There may be beaches, parks or forests that you haven’t been to recently but are on your “wishlist” of where to walk.  Make a point of planning a visit to them for a future walk.

Schedule a walk as part of your daily/weekly routine

You may be able to commit yourself to a lunchtime walk every day and this would be fantastic.  But for other people, their daily schedule is more variable so a daily lunchtime walk may just be “pie in the sky” and this can be demotivating when it isn’t achieved.  In that case, create a weekly walking schedule which includes days when a walk is achievable.

Take photos on your walks

As well as being able to publish these on social media, you could print your walking photos out, store them in an album and this would motivate you to see how many walks you have already completed as well as reminding you of some of the beautiful places you have visited.

Perhaps you have other ways to motivate yourself to keep walking and if so, I would love you to add a comment below.  Happy rambling!