I don’t know about you, but there have been times when I’ve gotten to the end of the day and couldn’t figure out what I had actually accomplished. Don’t get me wrong, my day had been jam-packed and I didn’t have a second to stop, so why is it that I felt completely unproductive? Reflecting back on it, my guess is that I gave into the busy and didn’t focus on the important. 

Have you noticed that the information you take in day-to-day makes an impact on your mind and mood, both internally and externally? Feeding your mind with positive, affirming and relatable stories can help shift your mindset to one that reflects a happier and more productive self. In order to fuel yourself with inspirational conversations that will help you reset your mind, join Joyce Shulman, 99 Walks Pack Leader and CEO, as she hosts Walk + Talks, casual conversations featuring guests from all areas of expertise. Perfectly packaged in a 30-minute recording, these Walk + Talks are ideal if you’re heading out for your daily walk or need a quick reset throughout the day. 

The autumn season is a favorite for many. Our thoughts turn to football, pumpkin spice, warm layers, and calming colors. But it’s also a time of year that calls us outdoors with a break from the heat of summer temperatures and all-around natural beauty. It’s the perfect time to take a walk, or even rekindle a routine of walking for exercise. Sure, there are plenty of mental and physical health benefits you get from walking, but it’s also the best way to capture the the splendor of the season. Here are nine reasons why autumn is a great time of year to lace up your shoes and walk.

In our fast-paced, technology-driven world, the pursuit of longevity seems to call for complicated diets, expensive supplements, and high-tech gear and gadgets. But around here, we know that one of the simplest and most accessible ways to increase your chances of living to 100 is right at your feet—walking. This low-impact, free, and natural activity offers a multitude of physical, mental, and social benefits that can significantly impact your lifespan. 

If you’re looking for ways to change up your walk, consider taking it up—up the steps of a lighthouse, that is! Whether along the coast or lakeside, lighthouses dot the landscape offering unmatched views of our country’s natural beauty. To give you a little inspiration, we’ve compiled a list of fourteen lighthouses from sea to shining sea that you may want to add to your bucket list. Don’t let our list be the only light to guide you, though. Keep a lookout for numerous more with history and stories to keep you stepping up your walks.

If you’ve been on a walk, you probably know how it’s great for your mind, mood and body, but if you walk the same route too often, you might find your enthusiasm waning. Nope, you don’t have to find a new form of exercise, you just need to find a way to spice up your walk. Like turning it into a walking scavenger hunt!

It’s likely that you’ve encountered someone who’s grumpy and has an all-around gloomy disposition. If you’ve ever spent any time around a teenager, you can say this with certainty. It’s as if they got up “on the wrong side of the bed.” And perhaps, according to Roman history, this frame of thought—turned idiom—could be true. Romans had strong superstitions and believed the side of the bed from which you arise each morning impacted whether you would be surrounded by positive—right side—or negative—left side—forces. Literally, there was a right and wrong side of the bed.

My favorite thing about watching a toddler learn to walk is the way they walk like Frankenstein. With stiff legs and little bend in their knees, they keep their arms outstretched, steadying themselves as they walk along even the smoothest surfaces. But as they grow stronger and more confident in their new skill, they start taking on new challenges. The bumpy mulch in the playground. The wobbly scattering of rocks near the edge of a clearing. The trail through the woods with tree roots littering the path. Bit by bit, they learn to maintain stability while walking on uneven surfaces.

Within months of getting married, Eric and I committed what we called “the great puppy caper.” Long before Google Maps, we navigated via a paper map to the end of a long driveway in a small town in Connecticut and left 20 minutes later cradling eight pounds of fluff who, over time, grew into 40 pounds of pure love. His name was Kibo. He taught himself to lifeguard our kids when they were swimming, became a working therapy dog at two, and understood more than 100 words. He accompanied us everywhere, loved hotels and never needed a leash. He was the dog of dogs.

We’ve compiled a list of 11 great books about walking. They walk us through history, take us on their journeys, tell us stories, and provide inspiration that we hope will inspire you to keep moving forward, step by step. 

With the summer sun high in the sky, staying hydrated is super important. Not only does your body need proper hydration to survive, but also to thrive. So how can you make sure you’re getting enough water when your body is sweating it out from the moment you step outside? Here are four tips to staying hydrated while you walk.

Eric and I visited Madison, Wisconsin on a glorious week in late July. The air was clear and perfect with temperatures in the low 80s. The sun shined and you could often feel a breeze off of one of the two lakes that border this little jewel of a city.

As we typically do when we find ourselves someplace new, we set out to explore. On foot. Here are six fabulous walks we discovered.

Merriam-Webster defines adventure as “an exciting or remarkable experience.” Exciting. Remarkable. And isn’t that what we want our life to be?

What is exciting for you? And, perhaps more importantly, what is remarkable? Memorable? Impactful? 

At the core of our health and wellbeing lies a fundamental truth: our values shape our choices, habits, and ultimately, our lifestyle. Yet many of us, despite achieving great success in various aspects of life, grapple with less than ideal health or a feeling of powerlessness in our relationship with food. This anomaly often represents a deep-seated disconnection stemming from an inconsistency between our actions and our stated values. Understanding this disconnection is the first step towards healing our bodies and our relationship with food.

Last month, my two best friends and I met up for a girl’s trip. It’s something we try to do once a year to stay connected, but because each of us live in different states, it takes a bit of coordination. This particular trip, however, was the first chance all three of us have been able to be together since before the pandemic. For some friendships, this may conjure up worries of awkwardness. For best friends, we picked up right where we left off.

Do you get enough protein in your diet? Before you ask “what’s enough,” know that it varies from person to person based on your age, weight, muscle mass, typical level of activity and your own, unique physiology. Moreover, even the “experts” haven’t quite agreed on the optimal daily protein intake. That said, most agree that the “Recommended Dietary Allowance” for protein of a mere .36 grams per pound is far below what is needed for optimal health, with the majority recommending about .75 grams of protein per pound of your body weight. Unless you are super in-tune with what you’re eating, you may be falling short of that target. Though everyone needs a protein-rich diet, women especially need to pay attention to their intake. Here’s why:

Yep, the temperatures are rising, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still realize the healthy benefits of walking. There are plenty of ways to dodge the sweltering temperatures, plus you may be surprised just how good walking in the sunshine is for you! Read on for a list of resources to help guide you as you walk your miles during the summer so you can stay safe, keep moving, and continue to crush your health and fitness goals.