3 Ways to Get Motivated to Walk

If you think it is too late to reap the benefits of walking for daily exercise you will not be disappointed. Researchers discovered a 51 percent lower mortality risk for those who took 8,000 steps per day. Those who walk daily have lower risk of stroke, improved cognition, lower blood pressure, and weight loss. Walking is an easy to do exercise that has many benefits with very little risk of injury. Walking doesn’t require expensive equipment either. You can get in your steps within just 30 minutes! A brisk walk is a bonus. You will find after a few weeks you look forward to the time and will probably enjoy a little stress relief. Spending 30 minutes outdoors can lift your spirits! Here are three tips to make walking a little more interesting and get you out the door. 1. Find a friend who likes to walk too. Ask your current friends or neighbors if they want to join you. Join a local walking group or hiking group in your area. Search platforms such as Meetup, Facebook, Nextdoor, Bumble, or GoJauntly. If you have a pet dog, join a dog-walking group in the neighborhood. 2. Listen to your favorite podcast on your walk. Be entertained, educated, engaged, and inspired. A good podcast makes time go very quickly! Walking sparks creativity and can inspire new ideas. I love to listen to history podcasts when I walk. 3. Explore new routes. When we walk the same way all the time, it can get boring. Discover scenic trails, parks or neighborhoods you have never walked before. Seattle has an abundance of trails such as Discovery Park Loop, Burke-Gilman Trail, Alki Path, Green Lake Path, Seward Park Loop, Seahurst Park Trails and so many more!