You know walking is good for you and you want to do it, but you can't seem to find the motivation to get on that treadmill or take a stroll around your neighborhood. And, if you're typically a couch potato, it can be even more challenging. But, there are things you can do to motivate yourself. Here are five tips you can follow to incite yourself to walk.
- Set Realistic Goals
When first starting out, if you set a huge goal that has you dreading even the thought of walking, you're going to overwhelm yourself and will likely face inevitable plateaus. This can be discouraging and keep you from even trying. Instead, start off with several small, realistic goals you know you can accomplish and then progress as you go.
But, you don't want to start off too small. So, set goals that’ll challenge you enough to motivate you to walk, but won't be too challenging where you become overwhelmed. For instance, start off with a goal, let's say, to walk three days a week, 30 minutes each day and then you can gradually work your way up to five days a week.
- Give Yourself a Reward for Reaching Milestones
After you've set some goals, providing yourself with an incentive for hitting each milestone can be that extra push you need to get out there and start walking. Your reward can be anything from a healthy treat, like Tiger Nuts, to a massage and a new pair of walking shoes.
- Get Yourself a Walking Buddy
Have a friend come along with you on your walks or even someone you can check in with each day to hold you accountable. They can give you that gentle nudge if you don't send them a daily message letting them know you walked that day. Remember, even Fido can be a great walking buddy.
- Use an App or Gadget
Different gadgets and apps on your phone can help you track your steps. Many fitness watches, pedometers, and apps will let you know the length of time (and distance) you've walked and how many calories you've burned. You can use the data from this technology to improve your steps or minutes walked with each walking session.
- Join a Walking Group
It can be hard to stay motivated to walk by yourself. Many individuals prefer walking groups for the social aspect of it. It’s a great way to take your mind off of walking and make the time fly by. You can meet others who are trying to stay fit and be more active. You can be accountable for each other and motivate each other. It’s a way to socialize that also benefits your health, making it a win-win activity.
There are many ways to motivate yourself to walk. Find one or more ways and just get out there and get going. Sometimes, motivation shows up once you've started. So, simply forcing yourself out the door and getting going may be all you need to inspire motivation.
This article is brought to you by Tiger Nuts USA and if you have any comments or questions about Tiger Nuts, please email us at nuts@tigernutsusa.com
Jack Sims - CEO Tiger Nuts USA
