How to Develop an Interesting Walking Plan

Any time is the perfect time to start a new exercise regime and walking is the most effective and economical exercise program. Walking usually starts as a resolution and quickly becomes a chore, and then a bore, and then a memory. Continuing the walking plan once you decide to do it can depend on how interesting you make it.

A way to develop a walking plan that progresses from first steps to exciting adventures and actually calls to you instead of being a chore is to begin walking in interesting areas. I know that seems a bit obvious but it wasn't that obvious to me.

I thought the point was the walking. I quickly become bored with walking down the same street I walked down every day. So I came up with a plan. The operative word here is "plan". If you plan a new route every day the new sights and sounds add interest and excitement to your walk.

Here are some suggestions for interesting walks. First walk every direction from your home on successive days. As you walk carry with you either a small notebook or a mini-tape recorder and "scavenger hunt" list. Don't stop to search for things but keep your eyes moving and your ears open as you stride along at a healthy pace for you. Your list can be an alphabetical list of possible sightings and should be coded for easy notation. At the top of the page of your notebook, or on your tape should be the name of the street you walk on a given day. Your list may be something like: A= arbor, B=Bicycle, C=Cat and so on. You should have enough things on your "hunt" list to carry you through a nice long walk.

By the way, if you are like me, making notations while walking can be hazardous to your health. Be careful and do not step out in front of cars or trip over cracks in the sidewalk while making notations. . I found the little tape recorder to be a better "note taker" for me because I can keep my eyes on where I am going.

You may not find every thing on the hunt list on a single walk so a given street may be walked more than once if you want to fill out the experience. You can also include sounds on your "hunt" list. A baby's cry, a birdsong, a truck horn, the train whistle, and so on. Be creative; if you like classical music see if you can hear someone playing Shubert or Beethoven. Rock music is not much of a challenge, you can hear it in almost any town or city, but Reggae, soft jazz, folk or oriental music may be more of a challenge. Plan some walks in areas where you might hear some of these sounds.

Other ideas are to go on nature walks with or without a companion who helps you spot wildlife, birds, or a particular type of plant or tree.

Hike the halls of the largest mall in your area and make your "hunt list" specific to the kinds of sights, sounds and smells that you may encounter. Perhaps one list could be all the different hair colors you see. I find it fascinating to see bright pinks and oranges and vibrant greens on the heads of the young people at the mall. Sometimes I get strange looks because I am giving strange looks, but it makes my walk more interesting. I would be careful about staring at the young people with piercings because even though I think they are there to draw attention it seems that the youngsters get aggressive if you stare too long...go figure.

If you have good ideas for keeping your daily exercise walks interesting please leave a comment. I can always use new ideas.