We all strive to be better. It is one of the best things about human nature. And the start of the year is a moment in time when many of us take stock and make commitments to ourselves. For those of you awesome members of the 99 Walks Pack, that commitment involves more movement, more walking … a commitment to walking our way to better this year.
But life happens. Kids get sick. We stare down five straight days of rain. And then there’s the flu, work deadlines and the days when we just “don’t feel like it.” It gets hard.
Here are my top nine tips for sustaining your walking practice in 2020.
Set Reasonable Goals. You will not change your habits overnight. Sustainable change is iterative. So set a reasonable goal and then improve upon it, bit by bit.
Make it Easy. Set out your walking shoes and clothes so that they are there first thing in the morning, the moment you get home from work or whatever time you plan to walk.
Speaking of Planning … Walks go on your calendar, like any other important appointment you make. Yes, when you feel the stress building and can walk out the door for 15 minutes, yes, when the mood strikes you or the weather calls to you, by all means, go on out. But don’t wait just for those moments. Schedule your walks.
Walk Away from the All or Nothing Mentality. We are a culture of all or nothing. We set huge goals and, when a day or two goes by when we don’t stick to them, we beat our selves up for our failure and quit. If you change nothing else, change this. Every day is a new chance. Heck, every minute is a new chance. Life will get in the way. It is inevitable. The key to your success is getting up the next day and trying again.
Avoid Boredom by Trying New Things. We are fighting two competing tendencies. First, building a walking habit is great. Put on your shoes, walk out the door walk the same path, get up the next day and do it again. We are creatures of habit and positive habits can be powerful in helping us reach our goals. But we also get bored. So change it up from time to time. Try a new coach, take a new class. Mediate with Jillie, go on a journey with Eric or, when it rains, check out Jenny’s new house-walking class. Find a new trail, walk a new path, come to a Walk + Talk or challenge yourself to a #SundaySix.
Read the Daily Walk. Every single day, we will hit your inbox with a jolt of inspiration, education, or fun. You will get to know your fellow 99 Walks Pack Members, stay up-to-date with what’s happening around here and learn about the 99 Walks team. Keep yourself engaged and connected because we are better together.
Walk with a Friend. Join a 99 Walks team and make a date to get on the phone and walk together. Or find a local friend, make a date, put it on your calendar (yup, that calendar thing). There are few things as powerful to keep you moving as the power of doing it with a team. Don’t wait for someone else on your team to make the connection or schedule the time.
Don’t Overthink It. Just put on your sneakers and go for a walk. And then do it again. Because …
You’re the Kind of Person Who … What you tell yourself about the kind of person you are is important to you living like the kind of person you want to be. Take a moment, grab a piece of paper and write down the words “I’m the kind of person who …” and then list five or ten positive attributes about the person you are when you are at your best. The person who you want to be. Here are a few of mine: I’m the kind of person who: walks in the rain. Eats fresh vegetables. Speaks kindly to the people I love. Gets up at 5:00 am and takes 30 minutes to center myself before the day begins. Is a good friend to my friends. Swims in the ocean. Does things that scare her.
This is a journey. There is no finish line. There is no perfect. There is just getting up every day and doing the best that we can do.