10 Ways to Motivate Yourself to Walk
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Register for a Challenging Walking Event
Walking Event
Give yourself a goal and a deadline. Register for a walking event that will be a real challenge for you. If you are a beginner, select a 5K or 10K charity event. If you are ready for a more serious challenge, register for a half-marathon, or multi-day walking festival. You'll be naturally motivated to train consistently to be ready for the event. You can look forward to the triumph of crossing the finish line as a reward for getting regular exercise.
Set Up a Walking Plan
Design and follow a walking plan to start seeing results from your fitness efforts. Having a structure and varying your workouts will keep you on track. When you begin to feel the difference in your stamina, muscles, and vigor, you'll want to keep going. Try incorporating interval walks, hills, and maybe even some jogging into your weekly routine.
Wear a Fitness Tracker
Wearing a pedometer or fitness tracker can help motivate you to increase your activity. You can wear a device or start paying attention to the steps recorded on your smartphone. Set your step goal at 6,000 to 10,000 per day, and find ways to add steps to your day.
Make a Walking Buddy
Walking with friends can make a difference and get you out on a walk despite the weather or other excuses to skip your workout. You can keep each other moving with conversation, jokes, and coffee afterward. These include locating groups, walking clubs, and local fitness clubs.
Keep a Walking Journal
Track your walking minutes, steps, or mileage in a journal, whether on paper on app. Total your progress each week. Set a goal and you will find yourself out walking just to make those numbers add up.
Join a Walking Club
Joining a walking club can keep you active. You can also find walking clubs organized by health organizations, fitness clubs, schools, churches, and local parks and recreation organizations.
Buy New Shoes and Walking Clothes
When you have new walking shoes or new walking clothes, you may be motivated to get out and try them out. Hate to walk in the cold? Buy the right layered clothing and you'll have to take it for a walk. Hate the rain? A waterproof jacket or umbrella can give you an urge to dodge the puddles. Does hot weather make you wilt? Wear sweat-wicking clothes, a great hat, and a neck cooler for staying cool on hot walks.
Try Fitness Trackers and Apps
Like fitness trackers, any electronic gear can get you moving because you want to put it to use. Activity monitors can all make walking a little more fun and give you a reason to get out the door. You can also turn your phone into a walking gadget with a walking app.
Do a Virtual Walk
If you have a goal, you are more likely to put in the steps. There are apps that offer social elements that provide a supportive community to keep you focused on your goal.
Choose the Right Time
What is the best time to walk? To stay motivated, analyze your habits and choose the time that works best for you. Many people find that if they commit to early morning walks, fewer distractions pop up in the afternoon or evening. But if you hate mornings and feel most energetic later in the day, then that should be your walking time.