Walk away the pounds...NO excuses
With these can't-miss tips, you won't skip a workout
by Maggie L. Spilner
Walking can be a lifetime habit that's easy and enjoyable--if you have an arsenal of excuse busters on hand.
Here's a list of strategies to quash any misgivings and get you moving:
Join a music club.
Order one or several new tapes or CDs each month, but allow yourself the luxury of listening to them only during your walks.
Program your bread--or coffeemaker.
You'll jump out of bed on chilly mornings if you know that a warm treat--whether it's a cup of gourmet coffee or a slice of cinnamon swirl bread--awaits you at the end of your walk. Load your favorite ingredients into the machine the night before, set the timer, and voila! You've got an aromatic, flavorful alarm clock.
Download a little encouragement.
With a few clicks of the mouse, you can teach yourself how to put motivating words or images into your computer's screen saver. You'll long for a walk when you see natural landscapes, scenic skies, and ambling trails floating before your eyes at the office. Check your local computer store for inspiring screen savers (they're easy to install) or type in your own favorite quotations or affirmations.
Enter a race that you can't walk away from.
Make it one in support of a good cause where you have to collect pledges. You won't bag the event or the training if other people are counting on you.
Buy two new pairs of walking shoes.
Get one pair to keep at home and one for the office or car. You'll be ready to rack up extra miles--at a moment's notice--during those time-wasting moments such as when your hairdresser's running late or you're waiting for soccer practice to end.
Soothe your soles.
For every milestone that you reach, treat your feet to a massage, pedicure, or slippers that soak up the miles.
Page 1 of 1
Maggie L. Spilner is Prevention's Walking Editor.
by Maggie L. Spilner
Walking can be a lifetime habit that's easy and enjoyable--if you have an arsenal of excuse busters on hand.
Here's a list of strategies to quash any misgivings and get you moving:
Join a music club.
Order one or several new tapes or CDs each month, but allow yourself the luxury of listening to them only during your walks.
Program your bread--or coffeemaker.
You'll jump out of bed on chilly mornings if you know that a warm treat--whether it's a cup of gourmet coffee or a slice of cinnamon swirl bread--awaits you at the end of your walk. Load your favorite ingredients into the machine the night before, set the timer, and voila! You've got an aromatic, flavorful alarm clock.
Download a little encouragement.
With a few clicks of the mouse, you can teach yourself how to put motivating words or images into your computer's screen saver. You'll long for a walk when you see natural landscapes, scenic skies, and ambling trails floating before your eyes at the office. Check your local computer store for inspiring screen savers (they're easy to install) or type in your own favorite quotations or affirmations.
Enter a race that you can't walk away from.
Make it one in support of a good cause where you have to collect pledges. You won't bag the event or the training if other people are counting on you.
Buy two new pairs of walking shoes.
Get one pair to keep at home and one for the office or car. You'll be ready to rack up extra miles--at a moment's notice--during those time-wasting moments such as when your hairdresser's running late or you're waiting for soccer practice to end.
Soothe your soles.
For every milestone that you reach, treat your feet to a massage, pedicure, or slippers that soak up the miles.
Page 1 of 1
Maggie L. Spilner is Prevention's Walking Editor.
