1. Get a Walking Partner
Ask a friend or neighbor to join you on your walk. Having company helps the time go by quicker, keeps you motivated to move along and prevents you from changing your mind about getting out and doing it in the first place. If nobody is available to walk with you, call a friend on the phone and chat while you walk. You should walk at a pace that allows you to maintain a conversation, so this is very doable.
2. Walk With a Furry Friend
Take your dog for a walk. If you don't have a dog, borrow a neighbor's dog. Having your best friend by your side gives you confidence, companionship and a selfless reason to get out in the fresh air and walk. You might find a local dog park within walking distance from your house that you can visit with your pooch. Another option is to look into volunteering to walk dogs for a local animal shelter. You can make your walk more fun and very rewarding.
3. Music Gets You Moving
Plug yourself into a set of headphones and some good walking music. Keep the volume at a level that allows you to hear traffic and people around you, for the sake of safety. Enjoy anything from classic rock to country to hip-hop. Whatever gets you moving, keeps a smile on your face and a bounce in your step is exactly what you need to be listening to. Step to the beat of the music to get a work out in. Use faster paced songs to get sweaty and switch to slower beats to cool down.
4. Get Out and Go Places
Make it a destination walk. Walk to a bookstore, to a friend's house or meet someone at a local coffee shop for a treat. Plan a light grocery shopping trip so that you have a manageable load to carry back home. Walk to the park and stop to feed the birds before walking back home. Reward yourself by choosing a destination that you wouldn't normally visit, like a boutique or flower shop to buy yourself a little something for working hard.
5. Walking Adventures
Find a new walking spot. If you've been walking on a treadmill, it's time to get outdoors and experience new things. You can walk on a track at a local high school, or just wander your neighborhood. Local parks often have great walking paths and trails. Drive to a destination that offers beautiful walking areas, as you're more likely to walk longer and more frequently if you enjoy your surroundings. Change it up from time to time, visiting locations with lots of stairs and hills for a challenge and to keep your walk fun.
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