Figuring out my why for walking

morningdew10

Hello!

I have been figuring out how to get more steps into my days.. some days are more of a struggle I noticed. I am also on a weightloss journey (lost 10lbs since the start of September!) I am aware of all the benefits that walking has to offer, but I am still met with resistance at times to just get up and walk. Maybe I have a lot of factors that contribute to my resistance that I havent completely looked into yet.. at the top of my head it could be body image related going out even just around my neighborhood.. or just the fact that I still need to train myself to get up and walk after being sedentary for a good part of the year. I am wondering if anyone has this kind of issue and if you have any tips or advice to offer ^^

littlegreenparrot1

I have to think of any kind of planned exercise as non-negotiable. I do it because the decision has already been made, whether I want to in that moment isn’t relevant. I will do it anyway, in the same way that I have to get on with it and clean the bathroom. Motivation is irrelevant, it’s the results that you’re after.

This is mostly because my brain is an idiot and wants to stay dry, warm, ideally reading and eating biscuits on the sofa. The results of that are less good.

Other people and what they think is also irrelevant. You’re definitely cooler than they are :)

I find it helpful to listen to audio books or podcasts, I just drift off and the time goes past quickly.

spiriteagle99

I have a dog who needs to be exercised a couple of times a day, which makes it easy to get out. I do it for him when I am not in the mood to do it for myself. I feel better on days I exercise, so I do it regardless of my mood. Music makes it easier on days I am less motivated. Finding someone to walk with helps a lot. See if a family member or neighbor would like to walk with you. Vary your routes. Go to more natural areas when you can. A walk in the woods does more for me than a walk around the same old houses.

morningdew10

Thank you guys, you are so right. I did end up signing up at a nearby gym and my walks have gotten better, since I do like walking on the treadmill. It helps that it faces out the window and I can listen to music or an audiobook, while being motivated by people around me at the gym. Not thinking about being judged is still a work in progress but you are right @littlegreenparrot1, what they think is totally irrelevant and I'm going there to help myself. I also stopped thinking about step goals and just thought about getting a walk in everyday. Resulted in a lot less noise in my head. :)

yakkystuff

Work in bits & pieces when doing other things - like stand while folding laundry and walk to put away 1 or 2 or 3 pieces at a time, same for unloading dishes, put away groceries, setting table.

Try pattern walking - sideways, criss-cross, circles, figure 8's, backwards, bunny hops to a song on radio or during a commercial… like a game.