There’s no doubt that walking is good for you. The list of mental, emotional and physical benefits is long (read about 12 reasons walking is magic here), but did you know that walking can actually help your heart health? It’s true. Research has shown consistent associations between walking and better cardiovascular health for people of any age, both healthy and with heart conditions. Following are five heart-healthy benefits you can get from a regular walking practice.

Several years ago, a couple of friends asked me if I’d like to join them on a run. Now, both of these friends were what I’d consider runners, and I, well, was not. Sure, I had run from time to time. Even participated in the occasional 5k. But a runner? Nope. However, I agreed to join them as I was excited about the opportunity to share this experience with them, and hoping that running with friends would motivate—er, distract—me from the pain I was sure to endure.

During this run, one of my friends who happens to be a long-distance runner, referred to me as an athlete. “A what?” I thought. Not me. I had never played team sports before, unless you’re counting recreational soccer at age 8 or the neighborhood swim team at age 10, but I stayed active. I went to the gym fairly regularly. I walked. Even jogged a bit. Often chased around a toddler. But an athlete?

This February, in honor of Black History Month, we are sharing with you 28 quotes.. Quotes meant to inspire. Quotes meant to motivate. And quotes meant to remind us how Black women have done—and are doing—so much for our community. Our country. Our world.

Don’t let the short winter days interfere with your walking practice! If you find yourself starting or ending your day with a walk in the dark, here are nine tips to help keep you safe:

Life is complicated. It’s full of ups and downs. Hugs and tears. Agreements and misunderstandings. How we approach each of these matters. And in each, we have a choice. We can choose to lift others up, or knock them down. We can teach or we can preach. We can assume the best in others, or we can assume the worst. This month, join us as we walk through four of our core values as a guide to always lead with love.

Embracing the stage in life where her children are grown, Pack Member Lacey Salois, age 43, has turned her focus to self care. She takes the lessons she learned along the way—some the hard way—and is building a life that truly serves her.

We recently chatted with Lacey to get to know her better and here’s just some of what we discovered.

You do your best to stay positive. To look at the silver linings and make the best out of your situation, but there are times when you may feel run down and sad, sometimes with no explanation at all. It’s times like these, especially during the late Fall and Winter months when you may experience symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder, better known as SAD. Coupled with the lingering effects of the pandemic, this could be a recipe for the winter blues. How do you climb out of those feelings? Here are nine ways to walk away the winter blues and feel more like yourself again.

Working from home, whether by choice or because of the pandemic, certainly has its benefits, but it often leads to a blur between work and life, causing quite the imbalance. And because of this, you just might find yourself sitting more, and moving less. But, with a few small tweaks, you can stay active and stay productive while working remotely. Here are nine tips how:

You don’t have to go far these days to hear about someone who’s sniffling, coughing, or fighting through the flu or COVID virus. Germs are everywhere, and though you may think you’re doing everything you can to keep them at bay, there may be one more thing you can add to your line of defense. And that’s the simple act of taking a walk.

A new year! A fresh slate! It’s the perfect time to commit to taking your fitness routine to the next level and a consistent, intentional walking practice is the first step. Here are nine ways to elevate your walking practice in 2022.

I’ve always wanted to learn to play the guitar. To be able to sit around a campfire amidst the flicker of light and strum a simple tune. And so I bought that guitar, a case to keep it safe, and a book to teach me the fundamentals. Armed with about a decade of piano and French horn lessons, I should be able to pluck out my favorite tunes in no time, right? Wrong. After a few days practicing a chord or two, learning the notes, and working on strengthening my hands, I quickly realized that learning a new instrument would be a process. And in order for me to realize my fireside dream, I had to slow down.

Sometimes you have to slow down to speed up. You have to make a commitment to the process, focus your attention on the basics, and take the time to strengthen both your mind and your body. And with walking, it’s no different.

Think back to when you were six. What did you dream you'd be when you "grew up?" An artist? Maybe a veterinarian? Perhaps a ballet dancer? All of the above? Sure, when you were a kid, the sky was the limit. And then you started to focus on making a living instead of living a dream.

For many, the turn of the calendar to a new year means a fresh start. A clean slate. The chance to set goals, an opportunity for better habits, and a time to reset your intentions. Whatever you call it and whatever you are hoping to achieve, sticking to resolutions can be hard. But we have a suggestion. It may sound crazy, but it’s true — walking can help. Here’s why.

We get it. Stepping outside to take a walk when you have to wear more layers than the number on the thermometer is tough. But, with the right tips and tools, staying active during the winter months will actually make you feel better, both physically and mentally. Keep reading for all the benefits, how-tos and inspiration you need to keep walking this winter.

You’ve found the perfect pair of walking shoes, clothes that allow your body to move comfortably, and even remembered your favorite hat to block harmful rays and keep the sun out of your eyes. But wait … you need one more thing! You need a good pair of socks. Scratch that, you need a great pair of socks. Socks that provide enough cushioning to support your foot, keep moisture at a minimum, and are made from materials that don't cause blister-forming friction. We’ve compiled our 9 favorite socks for walking.

We’re in the midst of the holiday hustle and bustle, and though our celebrations might look a little different this year, the feelings are the same. We’re all scurrying around frantically working to make sure all the loose ends are tied up. We’re craving connection and good cheer. And we’re looking to the future, thinking about our goals and our dreams and wondering if this will be the year we get one step closer.

To be real, these last two weeks of the year can be overwhelming. They can be stressful. And they can lead us into some bad habits. But right now, we can all make a positive change — we can commit to walking our way through the holidays. Here are nine reasons why you should make walking part of your holiday habits.

You may be bracing yourself for the cold days looming, but don’t let a drop in temperature keep you from the body-boosting benefits of walking. With a little thought and preparation, you just might find yourself craving a stroll with a side of winter chill. Here are 9 ways to get yourself ready for winter walking:

You spend Thanksgiving Day working in a soup kitchen. You invite the man on the street into the sandwich shop and buy him a sandwich for lunch. You volunteer in the PTA helping organize events for students and families. You visit an elderly neighbor and invite her out for a walk. You put canned goods out on your porch for the local food drive. You set aside your needs, your schedule, your agenda for someone else. You show your generosity.

From being so out of shape she couldn’t walk through a grocery store to now having a love—her family calls it an addiction—for walking and hiking, Pack Member Paula Patterson, age 48, has found a new purpose through 99 Walks that has changed her life.

We recently chatted with Paula to get to know her better and here’s just some of what we discovered.

Taking a walk has a significant number of health and wellness benefits, but when you combine that walk with gratitude, those benefits multiply. Here are 9 reasons to take a gratitude walk.