If you’re the one who knows all the benefits of walking for ten minutes a day but still find yourself making excuses for not getting off the couch and starting walking, I get it. I’ve been there!
When I started walking seriously as a form of exercise, I began with only 7 minutes of walking aimlessly in a dark neighborhood street.
I always wanted to exercise to stay fit and at ease with my body. I wanted to look good when I wear my pants, at the same time be healthy and happy.
So, a 10-minute walking exercise seemed like a pretty good deal for me.
Now, I want to share some tips, experiences, and talk about how I’ve been able to start walking as an exercise.
Let’s get into it!
MY EXPERIENCE
I have been walking as a form of exercise for 4 years. I started at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, in the beginning of 2020.
I remember feeling like a sloth in my house during quarantine, eating, and watching NETFLIX, thinking in my head, “man, I need to do something”.
One day, when the quarantine regulations were relaxed, I felt that my stomach was not feeling well and I felt like the food was stuck in my stomach, hampering digestion.
Without thinking, I went out of the house and started walking to the dark streets of the neighborhood without any particular aim.
I remember the exact feeling of movement inside my stomach, and I farted on that empty dark road.
From that day on, I personally realized the benefits of walking and started walking daily for 4 years.
HOW DO YOU WANT TO START YOUR WALKING EXCERCISE JOURNEY
In the beginning, find out the reason why you want to start your walking exercise.
Knowing the benefits of walking is not enough, as if it was enough, then the 8 billion people on earth would pick walking as an exercise habit.
You must know the ‘WHY’ behind doing this. For me personally, it was the reason to stay fit and look good in pants. Find your ‘WHY’ first.
People are different in their needs, wants, desires, and goals. You’re unique on your own. Watching Netflix while eating and having popcorn is very enjoyable.
But, think about 10 years from now…
You know what happens if you just watch TV all day for 10 years…
You know what happens if you go out for a walk for 10 years…
You know the benefits of walking for 10 years…
So, think of the big picture, invest 10 minutes a day, and over time the benefits will stack, and you will reap the benefits for the long term.
TIPS FOR STARTING WALKING EXERCISE
Now, all that depends on whether you are starting your walking exercise or not. There are some personal tips that will help you start your walking exercise.
- TIPS 1: Start Small
Start with very tiny goals. Make it so easy that it is funny. Go at your own pace.
If you think you will only do 10 steps for 20 seconds, do it and from there on, level up slowly.
Then, if you feel like doing 100 steps, that’s fine, but don’t lower the threshold.
- TIPS 2: Keep Track of Progress
To this day there are lots of apps which can track your progress.
The goal here is to count your progress to make sure your threshold level is always.
Because as the saying goes, ‘if you can measure it, you can improve it’.
- TIPS 3: Choose a Familiar Place
I remember back then I started walking exercise around a dark neighborhood street because that place was familiar to me and I liked that place.
So, the first tip is to choose a place that is familiar to you and you like.
Because human beings are comfortable in the known and very alert in the unknown.
- TIPS 4: Reward
Behavior is cemented through reward and punishment.
From the first day on, reward yourself.
After the walking exercise, give yourself a little treat, but be careful what you treat yourself with.
Of course, don’t treat yourself with junk food! Come on, we are trying to cement the walking exercise to be fit, and junk food does the opposite.
Duh…
- TIPS 5: Don’t Get Discouraged from Days Off
I have a confession to make here.
Yes, I also skipped days when I promised myself that I would go for a walking exercise.
Now and then, it could happen that you get sick, the weather is bad, or your loved one needs help with his/her chores.
If you somehow skipped your walking session, don’t get too discouraged.
Get back up,
Dust off the old plan, and keep going.
FINAL THOUGHT
Everything comes down to when you are going to start your walking exercise journey.
My suggestion is to find your why, start very small, keep progress, reward yourself, and don’t get discouraged from days off.
Just know it is possible. And you have to just take the first step to make it happen.
But it’s worth it!