My Now Absolutely Firm Guidelines (rules sounded too harsh) to Successful Habitual Walking

In attempts to create my own unique walking regimen, I  wanted to jot down some things that are working FOR ME (they may not work for you!) after a couple of weeks of successfully walking more than once lol (hey baby steps people).  Plus walking is free and I want to become better at it because I do enjoy it....when I'm in shape lol.  So, being concistent will both keep me in shape and keep walking enjoyable....as long as I follow these guidelines!....

(FYI...I decided to write this from the point of my inner ego/voice/conscience....just to keep things interestingly funny. 

It's not directed at anyone but me lol.)

1. If you actually plan your walks---like write in your planner with your other important can't forget dates---- you'll be more likely to do them.  This is working primarily because once you've cleared your schedule to walk, you know you're going to feel guilty when you try to find something, usually not more important, to do instead of walking so ....just take the daggone walk lol.  Also plan---like write it in your planner the lengths of your walks too so you're not setting yourself up for disappointment!  If you know your weekdays are going to be packed that means less sleep, so no morning walks, and late nights so no night walks.  Don't even plan in that dumbness!  There are 168 hours in a week, so it is possible AND PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE to find time to eat, sleep, work, AND walk. Even if the sleeping and walking on happens on the weekends lol. Pure genuis this "planning" thing is lol....

2.  Eating breakfast is an excuse you tell yourself to get out of walking....you know you do this, so quit even coming up with that one lol. You can eat when you get home and you know you'll be sated after eating and less likely to move, so, don't even think about it lol.

3.  Showering is not a valid excuse either...you' re gonna be sweaty after you walk...nice try tho...

4.  Facebook/Blogging/Watching TV or a Movie/Working on Gigs/Checking Your Email....are also not valid excuses for not walking lol.   You're gonna do all that anyway  so don't pull that crap during the time you've planned to walk. The increased energy and weightloss is great but from a mental health side...walking zones you out so you focus better, and your wonderfully creative and imaginative brain deserves and absolutely NEEDS the break time lol.

5.  When you walk...only walk somewhere interesting.....this is now a firm absolute RULE.  It passes the time much faster and it simply makes the walk more enjoyable.  You may have to drive to get somewhere interesting or get creative with your routes but it's worth the 5 minutes of extra work because you'll enjoy it more and you'll get a better walk in. Just thought I'd mention this since you've been  beating yourself up about why you don't walk at work anymore lol.  Simply, Chicago's Medical District is just not as cool as your Norman Rockwell-esque neighborhood lol.

6.  Music is a necessity. So, take your phone AND mp3 player....in case one looses power.    Walking without music is like walking bare ass naked down Michigan avenue....though I HIGHLY encourage it at home :)....

7. TAKE YOUR TIME...moving is moving wether you're leisurely window shopping walking, power walking, jogging or sprinting.  You're not at athlete or at "fit" status yet but you are human with two legs and capable of moving! So, JUST MOVE no matter what the pace.  It does not make you any less of a person when RoboSuburban Mom passes you up lol.  Speaking of....

8. When warming up....it is okay to bring along a cup of coffee or digital camera to enjoy while you start off at a slow window shopping pace--- despite what you are thinking self consciously in your head as the other people you have deemed "healthy" pass you up lol.  First off you know you like working out in the morning because you're half sleep and thus less able to find reasons to stop you from walking lol.  So after you grab your coffee and have started walking, you'll have  warmed up the gams enough to work yourself into a good stride by the time you finish your cup. In which you will also be fully awake and more focused on finishing the walk! This is your process don't change it (though the coffee is optional lol).  Yes, it means you will walk longer but when has that ever been a bad thing lol.

9.  Take a "cool down" walk.  You ain't that in shape---and will never be able because of your joints---to avoid this!  Plus we've made a living at injuring ourselves so let's not encourage that by not warming up and cooling down lol.

10.  Walking in the morning on the weekends pays bigger dividends (longer, more intense walks) because you don't have to rush. There are no time limits.  So, think about other ways to move during the week in case the evenings are packed (like they so often are :0) ). Think Zumba which you know is exactly an hour or the sectioned ten minute dance dvd's you can mix and match cause a sista needs her sleep working two sometimes three gigs at a time!

Planning + these guidelines will replicate that "I feel fit and energized" feeling you enjoy after a good walk (no matter what the length)!


Ignoring your tried and true customized guidelines in favor of trying to exercise like 'skinny/fit' people/according to what the doctors say/what WW's say is recommended/what other people are doing---will lead you to failure EVERY TIME.  We know this! So let's be different and flip that kind of planned failure the bird and trust in what we've discovered today.  You'll stick to staying active more, which makes you hard working and responsible not any less of a person for doing what you are honestly capable of COMMITTING to!


Rinse, wash, and repeat!