6 WAYS TO MAKE WALKING MORE FUN

By Kenda - April, 9th 2015

One of the easiest ways to get more exercise is walking. It’s free, accessible no matter where you live, doesn’t require special equipment or a gym membership, and you can fit it into any schedule. The downside? Sometimes it’s not exactly fun. Unlike a dance class or gym circuit, it’s often hard to get motivated about something you already do all the time: moving your feet.

No matter if you are new to walking or have beaten a path through your favorite neighborhood for the past three years – there are several ways to jazz things up and make your next walk more of an adventure.

6 WAYS TO MAKE WALKING MORE FUN

1. Go Off The Beaten Path

If you have time to explore, try walking in an area that is new to you. You can hike through your local forest areas or even drive to a new walking path, park and start moving. Research your local nature parks and spend a day seeing something new to rekindle your love of walking. Safety tip: Always remember to have a phone with you when walking alone in a new area.

2. Or Go Where The People Are

Out schedules get so hectic that sometimes we may have to choose between meeting new friends or burning some calories. Right? Not always. Find out where people in your local neighborhood like to walk and join in. You can meet new faces and still get your workout. Open to a challenge as well? Maybe it’s time to join that walk-a-thon next month.

3. Make a Photo Journal

Chances are you already have your phone with you. Why not put it to use and take photos along the way? Capture nature shots, animals you encounter and even capture the changing seasons. It’s fun to look back on where you’ve explored and watch the foliage and landscape change as the year goes by.

4. Brainstorm

Many people find they think better in the shower. Why not when you’re walking? If you’ve got something puzzling you, a decision you’re mulling over, or just a challenge at work – use a long walk to think things through. It’s quiet, your brain is working at it’s best because of all the endorphins rushing around – you might be surprised at how quickly the answers come.

5. Walk With a Friend

We see plenty of people chatting at the gym while they’re on the treadmill. Why coop yourself up in side when you can play catchup under the sunshine? Grab a friend (or two) and set up a weekly walk together. It could be after you drop the kids at school or after dinner when everyone is relaxing for the day. It’s a great time to check in with your friends, share a laugh and just enjoy the company. Knowing that someone else is relying on you to make an appointment will also keep you motivated.

6. Count Your Steps

If you’re a competitive person, or just someone who likes to keep track of their progress, counting your steps is a great motivator. Using an activity tracker, like the Omron Alvita Wireless Activity Tracker (HJ-327T) from Omron Healthcare Inc, transfers each step into a visual tool that not only keeps track of calories burned and distance walked, but also creates a seamless sync between the tracker and your smartphone so you can share your stats online and/or compare with friends. You can also set personal goals, count progress over several months and get a free account at www.omronwellness.com where you can participate in fitness challenges.

Omron is currently challenging people to participate in #WalkoutWednesdays where you make yourself a promise to leave everything else at home and move your feet once a week. Ready to join in?

Do you walk? What activities do you mix in to make your walking time more fun?

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Omron. The opinions and text are all mine.