Are you just starting to walk for exercise, or maybe you've been walking but are getting bored with your exercise routine? Sometimes even the most dedicated health and fitness gurus can get in a slump due to the repetitive nature of exercise. Don't feel bad. Instead, use these handy tips to help mix up your walking exercise routine and keep yourself focused on your health and fitness goals.
Mix It Up: Change Your Exercise Routine So Walking Is Fun Again
You can get out of an exercise slump by changing up your walking routine. One easy way to do this is to walk both indoors and outdoors. If you're used to walking a circular indoor track, then the outdoor terrain and sounds of nature may be a welcome change. You can also switch up your routine by renting a walking video from the library, or purchasing one in store. Having virtual friends to accompany you on your journey can sometimes be as motivational as having a real live walking buddy.
Encourage A Friend to Become Your Walking Buddy
When you hit an exercise slump, often that can be because of the solitary nature of a walking routine. There's a lot to be said about the health benefits of socialization, and having a walking buddy can help motivate you as well. Inviting a friend along for a brisk 15 minute lunch walk can sometimes help to build a friendship, some really tight buns and thighs, and invigorate you with a burst of energy to get through the rest of the work day.
Think About and List The Reasons You Walk or Build a Visual Map
By putting your exercise objectives on paper you can visually see where your walking routine is leading you. People run for a wide variety of reasons from personal fitness to specific inch loss goals. You may even want to create a visual board that has a walking mantra at the top with images that encourage and motivate you to continue your walking routine. Most of all, allow yourself some slack now and then and use humor to get your through the toughest times when you just want to quit.
Here are some fun rhyming walking mantra examples that you could use to lift your spirits and your legs:
 | Beginning a walking fitness program requires little more than a good pair of fitness walking shoes, your time and your commitment. Once you understand the basics of fitness walking, it won't be long before you begin to enjoy the benefits including weight loss and improved muscle tone. |
 | Low impact exercise is exercise that places very little stress on the joints because it is a gentler form of exercise. All jumping, pounding and high impact movement is eliminated from the exercise when it is modified into low impact exercise. |
 | Try Nordic walking if you want to take your fitness walking program to another level. Nordic walking originally began as an off-season training for skiers, as they took to hilly terrain using ski poles. |
Several years ago, Dr. Ann Gerhardt suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in an alpine skiing accident. An accomplished long-distance runner, cyclist and kayaker, the Sacramento physician began to walk as part of her lengthy rehabilitation. |
In our highly technical world, filled with fancy equipment and specialized gadgets, we often overlook the simplest, most inexpensive way to increase our overall fitness - walking. |
