How To Make Walking More Enjoyable

If you follow me on social media, you know that the third Pure Joy Wellness Walking Challenge is about to begin! Starting on Saturday, October 2, myself and the rest of the PJW community will be walking for 30 minutes a day for the next 30 days. The Walking Challenge is about making a commitment to ourselves and one another and sticking to it—and we have a ton of fun motivating and supporting each other along the way!

Many of you have done the Walking Challenge before, but this time around, there’s even more to look forward to. The first new addition is that I’ll be giving away prizes! (Think skincare products, recovery products, self-care items, and more.) I’ll also be doing in-person walks for those in NYC, and virtual walks for my out-of-towners. For more on how you can enter to win the prizes, make sure to follow Pure Joy Wellness on Instagram and join our PJW Private Facebook Group. 

With the Challenge only days away, I wanted this week’s blog post to be about how you can make walking more enjoyable. I personally love walking, but trust me, there are days when I don’t feel like it or I just can’t get into it. There are even times when it feels boring. When I start feeling that way, I turn to one of these methods/tips and tricks, and I swear, they really make a difference. There are bound to be days over the course of the next month when you don’t feel like walking… but don’t let your mind get to you! Pull this article up instead, get outside, and put one foot in front of the other. 

1. Make a stellar playlist

Music is my lifeblood—it always puts me in the best mood and it can make any lackluster experience feel like a dance party. So before the Challenge starts, make sure your playlist is curated and ready to go. I love upbeat pop music, or a mix of 70s and 80s jams. If you don’t feel like making your own playlist, you can check out my PJW Walking Warrior playlist here! It has nearly six hours of songs (so you aren’t just listening to the same songs on loop), and I made sure to include a variety of artists so that there’s something for everyone. 

2. Dress for the weather 

Feeling too hot or too cold during your walks is going to zap the enjoyment right out of them… so make sure you’re properly dressed for the occasion! Your internal body temperature increases when you’re walking, so even if it seems cooler out, remember that you’re going to warm up. I like to check the weather, subtract 10 degrees, and decide what to wear based on that number. If you’re low on walking gear, I have a list of my favorite walking clothes, equipment, etc. here. My best tip, though, is to layer your clothes. Start with a base layer (a tank or tee), add a long sleeve, and maybe a jacket, depending on the temperature. That way as you warm up, you can shed the layers and just tie them around your waist or carry them in a tote! Comfort is key. 

3. Grab a buddy 

Walking is one of the best workouts for women over 50—so next time you’re feeling meh about walking, grab one of your friends and improve your health together! When you’re chatting away, 30 minutes goes by quickly, and spending time with friends socializing is good for your mental health. Plus, if you invite your friend to the PJW Facebook Group and take a photo of you two walking together, you’ll earn an entry towards winning one of the prizes I’m giving out. A workout, a social outing, AND a potential prize? I’d call that a win-win-win. 

4. Schedule a phone call to catch up with someone 

Can’t meet up with a friend in person? Schedule a phone call with them! One of my favorite ways to catch up with friends is over the phone. Usually I’ll text them so we can figure out a time that works for both of us—I like to have calls in the morning so it gets me out of bed and moving first thing. Then I put my sneakers on, put my headphones in, and go for a walk. Most of the time we end up talking for more than 30 minutes (more like 45 minutes to an hour) and it takes my mind off the actual walk. Before I know it, it’s done and I’ve clocked my minutes for the day. This tip is a true game-changer. Highly recommend it.  

5. Have a destination in mind

Finally, if you’re not in the mood to just go for a walk, pick a destination and walk there. If you want to get a manicure, pick a place that’s a 30 minute walk away. If you want to go to the farmer’s market, walk there and back! Choosing a destination that has something you want to do or someone you want to see is a great psychological hack. Not only will you be checking something off your to-do list (or filling your social interaction tank if you walk to a friend’s house), but you’ll be burning calories and slaying the Walking Challenge! Sometimes we need a little boost to get us from A to B, and this is an easy way to make walks more appealing. 

I say this every time, but I am SO excited to kick off the Walking Challenge. Fall is my favorite season, and I love seeing the leaves change and the weather evolve in October. This Walking Challenge is set to be our best one yet, so I hope you’ll join us for the ride, starting October 2. You can get all the details in the Pure Joy Wellness Private Facebook Group, and I’ll be posting about it plenty on Instagram. 

Xo, 

Renata