I’m posting our monthly challenge a tad early, as I am at a family gathering and funeral currently. I’ve had a bit of a tough 4 weeks, also concerning my walking routines, with two minor calf strains occurring on my walks, setting my whole fitness activities back by weeks.
Rowing, I could start quite quickly again, and I had to find a way to walk to work as usual, but running and more active walking had to wait. (My ramblings about calf strains are here healthunlocked.com/strength... )
So last month's May challenge was left aside for a while, and now I am at the point of starting again with my running and walking and need some motivation to get out there for some walks.
One of the most motivating things for me is when I plan on having various kinds of walking adventures, a new experience or changing things up.
So, I thought this month’s challenge could be about mixing things up!
★★★ May Challenge ★★★
Mix up your walks and add variety, and share your walking adventures by taking a picture
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
So, our challenge this month is to find how to add variety to your walking routines.
You could search out some countryside to find a rewarding walk. Or when visiting relatives, a nice social walk in new surroundings.
Towns and cities offer interesting walks, including parks, heritage trails, canal towpaths, riverside paths, commons, woodlands, heaths and nature reserves.
You could try out a treadmill for walking in a gym, or - if you have a treadmill of your own - play around with the programs and try a new one.
If wanting to stay inside, there is also the possibility of trying an indoor walking session, following a YouTube workout.
Here is a bullet list of just some ideas to add some variety to your walks:
- **Change the route:** Explore different neighbourhoods, parks, or nature trails.
- **Vary the pace:** Mix in intervals of brisk walking, slow strolling, or even jogging.
- **Add a theme:** Focus on photography, birdwatching, or identifying plants along the way.
- **Use a walking app:** Try apps that offer guided tours, fitness tracking, or augmented reality experiences.
- **Walk with a friend or group:** Invite someone along for company and conversation.
- **Incorporate exercises:** Stop periodically to do push-ups, squats, or stretches.
- **Try different times of day:** Walk in the early morning, at lunchtime, or in the evening to experience different atmospheres.
- **Listen to something new:** Play an audiobook, podcast, or a new music playlist.
- **Engage in mindfulness:** Focus on your surroundings, breathing, and the sensations in your body to turn the walk into a meditative experience.
- **Aim to get an Active10 badge:** Aim for a specific badge from the A10 app, and celebrate that achievement by posting on our A10 forum
So happy walking, everyone!
Help your fellow walkers stay motivated by posting pics or thoughts from
some of your walking experiences!
🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌
Just our usual links to our Active10 App, which one can run even whilst doing this challenge:
★ For those new to walking or those who like to track and be rewarded for their walking, you can combine the above challenges with the use of the NHS Active 10 App. The Active 10 app anonymously records every minute of walking you do. And you can just pop your phone in your pocket and it still tracks every mile. I have it on my phone with constant tracking on, although you will have to open it every few days to keep it tracking. Details at: nhs.uk/better-health/get-ac...
And if you are new to walking, have a look at the following guidance or plans:
★ NHS Guidance on Walking for Health, with plenty of ideas for getting those steps in and link to the Active10 app nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/r...
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