Walking is the easiest way to get the exercise you need to feel better, get stronger, and lose weight. It can be done at any time, indoors or out, by people of all ages and fitness levels. All you really need are a comfortable pair of walking shoes, but we also recommend you carry a charged cell phone (for safety…and because you never want to miss a phone call or selfie opportunity). Additional items that may be helpful include an inexpensive pedometer to track your steps, a reflective vest if you’ll be walking at night, or even walking canes to keep your arms pumping. The key to any long-term exercise routine is to keep it from becoming boring. Vary it with this list of 30 fun twists.
30 Ways to Make Walking Fun:
- Buddy walk. Invite a friend or family member (child or adult) to walk with you.
- Change up your route. With a partner, take turns picking the route you walk, changing it each time.
- Change the location. Walk the park, the mall, a trail, a nature path, or drive to a different neighborhood for a change of scenery.
- Clean-up – Channel your inner boy scout or girl scout by taking a trash bag and gloves with you. Pick up trash you see along your route and throw the bag in a dumpster or set it out to be taken with your regular trash pickup. You can do your part to help the environment, beautify your community, and get healthy simultaneously!
- Quiz time – Take trivia cards from games with you in a pouch and take turns asking your partner questions while you walk. Some of our favorites for walking are: Mad Gab, Trivial Pursuit, Scattergories, Say Anything, and Been There, Done That.
- Start a walking club – Put the word out and invite people from your neighborhood, church, or work to join in on the fun. Having a small group of people with similar goals adds an element of camaraderie and accountability.
- Memory work. Use the time to work on your memory. You can memorize a poem, a song, Bible verses, new vocabulary words or. more! Write each walking session’s memory lesson on a 3×5 index card and practice it as you walk, peeking at your index card as you need to until you have it down.
- Create your own interval course. Build in easy exercises you can do on the roadside: leg raises, calf raises, jumping jacks, and lunges. For example, if you’re in a park, stop at every park bench and do a different exercise at each one.
- Change the pace. Create your own intervals by walking slowly for 3 minutes, then walking a little faster for 2 minutes, then speed-walk while pumping your arms for 1 minute. Slow back down, catch your breath…and repeat. Change your pace at different landmarks, i.e. a telephone pole, a building, a tree, or a park bench.
- Practice Kindness. Set a goal to greet people you pass and/or try to make them smile with a sincere compliment: “Your hair looks nice,” “I like your jacket,” or just a simple “Good morning!” with eye contact and a cheery smile.
- Beat the clock. Time your walks, and then pick up the pace a bit on the next walk and see if you can beat your time.
- Nature walk. Pay attention to the beauty of nature and the changing seasons. In Autumn, bring along a small bag and watch for colorful leaves to make Fall decorations. In Spring or Summer, notice flowers and blooms. Pay attention to how the seasons smell differently. Pick up a pocket nature guide to learn more about what you find and look up different plants, trees, or flowers.
- Photo walk. Take a camera and document your walk: snap photos of flowers, a happy dog, sunsets, geese flying…even selfies!
- Jazz it up with a dance/walk. Put your favorite music on, plug in your earbuds, and dance/walk to the beat. Don’t worry about what people think! They’re probably jealous they aren’t having as much fun as you are.
- Scavenger hunt. Come up with a list of things to find while on your walk. Take a picture or mark each item off a list as you discover them. Items can be literally anything: a green car, a butterfly, a small dog…even seasonal items: a jack-o-lantern, an inflatable Santa, etc.
- Birdwatch. Watch and listen! You can get a pocket bird guide or download one of many different free apps to help identify different birds both visually and by their calls.
- Walkie-talky. Catch up on phone calls with friends or family. Charge your phone and call someone for a walking conversation.
- Play the alphabet game. Find something on your walk that starts with each letter of the alphabet.
- Play a game. Let your inner child shine by playing “Lines and Cracks”: step on them or step over them…your choice or “Hot Lava”: this works well in the Fall when there are lots of leaves on the sidewalk, try to only step on leaves or grass, avoiding concrete “lava.”
- Sneak in extra steps when possible. Park at the furthest parking space away from an entrance or take the stairs instead of the elevator.
- Get chores done. With fresh air and exercise, your brain is free to think and create. You can make your grocery list, plan menus, organize activities or events, and even write music or poetry! A small notebook and pencil hidden in a pocket or phone app will make this easy to accomplish.
- Learn something new. Download an app (many of them free) and take the time during your walk to learn a foreign language, read the Bible, etc.
- Birdwatch. Watch and listen! You can get a pocket bird guide or download one of many different free apps to help identify different birds both visually and by their calls.
- Walkie-talky. Catch up on phone calls with friends or family. Charge your phone and call someone for a walking conversation.
- Pray, meditate, or work on your Gratitude Journal.
- Play the alphabet game. Find something on your walk that starts with each letter of the alphabet.
- Play a game. Let your inner child shine by playing “Lines and Cracks”: step on them or step over them…your choice or “Hot Lava”: this works well in the Fall when there are lots of leaves on the sidewalk, try to only step on leaves or grass, avoiding concrete “lava.”
- Sneak in extra steps when possible. Park at the furthest parking space away from an entrance or take the stairs instead of the elevator.
- Water walking. Walk in a swimming pool or lake. It’s a great variation that adds increased resistance, working your muscles in a new way. In the winter, an indoor pool is a perfect alternative when it’s too cold to walk outside. In the summer, beat the heat in an outdoor pool or swimming lake.
- Get chores done. With fresh air and exercise, your brain is free to think and create. You can make your grocery list, plan menus, organize activities or events, and even write music or poetry! A small notebook and pencil hidden in a pocket or phone app will make this easy to accomplish.
Treat Yourself!
And lastly, celebrate your success! Log your miles, track your steps on your pedometer, or simply check off each day that you did one of the activities. Set goals for yourself, and for every milestone you hit, treat yourself to something fun – a manicure, a favorite coffee or tea, new pair of socks or any other favorite low-calorie treat.
