Getting out and about During National Walking Month
Once upon a time, Sal and I would take off walking for miles. She adored the common where we once lived and would run riot, barking loudly in glee.
I miss those days – I often look back and wish I had walked more or even ran more when my body could.
Of course, now these days are different. I can’t walk far, if at all some days, and so I have to work out what I can do and how I can make things work for me.
May is, as some of you may know, National Walking Month and when you can’t walk far it isn’t as fun as it once was. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t partake should the mood take you.
So here are some of my top tips on getting out and about during National Walking Month, no matter your ability.
Anything is great.
Have you ever felt deflated when, in a conversation, someone drops just how much they have done, leaving you thinking that’s so much more than me? Well stop it, remember everyone has different abilities.
Your walk to the end of the road and back is just as amazing as someone else’s 10-mile hike. Be proud of what you achieved and never let anyone make you feel bad.
Set up a group.
Why not set up a group with some friends or family and do what you can, together. If your ability is limited, they are likely to understand and you can set up routes you can manage.
You could perhaps even take a wheelchair or mobility scooter and share it with others in need, taking turns to walk small portions
Don’t be afraid to use mobility aids.
I own a whole host of walking sticks and a wheelchair and that isn’t a bad thing. After all, they allow me more freedom than I would have otherwise.
So don’t be afraid to look into what might be the right mobility aid for you. If it helps you, then it is worth having.
Take it slow.
You know those days when you wake up, feeling great and you just want to go go go. Stop, don’t do it.
Keep to your schedule. You need to build up anything, no matter if it is trying to walk to the bottom of your garden or trying to run a marathon, take your time and do it slowly.
Check out local places and see if they could work.
We recently started travelling to a few local locations to see if we could work out if they were locations I could visit. We found that many places had seating quite near to the car park, but allowed us to feel as though we were somewhere different.
After all, sometimes getting a breath of fresh air can do you the world of good.
So there you have a few ideas on how to get out and about this National Walking Month, no matter your ability, but what about you, what tips would you add?
*This is a collaborative post.
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I actually walk everyday both to and from work. I can’t imagine life without doing it everyday. I always have to do 10,000 steps each day too. Love it helps encourage people.
Excelente lista! BB totally agrees, especially about taking one’s time and being gentle with oneself. Slowly but surely in all things is a great life mantra. BB2U
I love long peaceful walks in woods.I like in a city so it is very difficult to travel long way everyday but whenever it is possible I don’t miss the opportunity
This is great! I love a good walk in the evening when the sun sets, especially in the summer. So fun and so great for you!
I love walking its my favorite activity (long nature walks). I have walked 7 miles and it is so relaxing although you do feel like you hit a wall the next day lol… it is still so worth it 🙂
I really need to walk more. One of the reasons I wanted to move here was because it’s close to a walking track. I’ve not been taking advantage of that like I should.
National Walking Month sounds like a great program. I had no idea about national walking month.
I didn’t know May was National Walking Month. but I do love to get out and about 🙂
I have to admit I miss out on so many of these national months as I just don’t realise about them.
Don’t tell this to my mother in law as I never would hear the end of it. She love walking and regularly *try* to go hiking with her – but that would be my worst nightmare.
I like hiking, but not with her.
Anyway I never heard of this and I like the sound of it. xx
Hahah oh dear, I promise not to tell 😉 and hopefully you get to enjoy sometime doing it alone.
I had no idea national walking month was a thing. It was right on time for me. I started my step warms during walking month and I’ve been staying active since then.
Good luck with walking more, there is something wonderful about getting out and walking.
What a coincidence I’ve actually be walking more this month and didn’t realise it was National walking month. I walk as often as possible with some of the mums at my school after drop off it’s brilliant!
Aw what a lovely thing to do with the Mum’s from the school!
Having a group is a great idea. It will be nice to walk with friends and family and bond together. They can give you support if you need it.
Definitely you can all cheer each other on then when it comes to walking 🙂
Going on a group is a nice idea but make sure you have the same interest so that you will never have a bad day whenever there is a conflict of interest.
That is true, make sure you are all open to walking the same areas.
It is a great way to keep fit and stay happy
I have to admit that I do love to walk, and every time I’m in London I always try and skip the tube and walk everywhere instead x
I bet it is nice to just walk around London sometimes as well, especially when the tube is packed and hot!
I think it’s so important to not compare yourself to others, everyone can walk and do differing amounts and it doesn’t mean any achievement is lesser x
That is so true, I think we too often compare ourselves in to many different situations.
National Walking Month sounds like a great program. I always love to walk especially close to nature.
There is something wonderful about getting out into the country and just walking and seeing wht you spot, I miss that.
Perfect timing – I have just joined my local health club and start on weds…I have decided to walk too instead of driving and myst say I am very unfit at the moment so started getting gitters. Thinking, how will I manage…but taking it slow and the point that anything is good is great – thank you 🙂 x
Just take it slowly, remember anything is something you don’t need to be able to run a race straight away (or ever). x
It’s so important to keep active. Walking is a great way to stay fit and active. I love going for long walks by the park.
I had no idea it was national walking month. That’s awesome. I get out and walk every single day, I love the exercise and getting out in nature.
I used to love walking with Sal, I really do miss exploring places with her, sometimes I’d let her nose lead the way haha.
Walking is such a great thing to do. A great way to get outside in the fresh air, explore new places and get some exercise!!
IT really is isn’t it, I wish I had done more and explored more before.
Walking is such a great way to stay healthy! I walk all the time but I will step it up since it’s National Walking Month!
Good luck with stepping it up for National Walking Month!
How fun! I had no idea it was national walking month. I walk everywhere! We tend to walk as a family as our daily exercise.
It really is a great source of exorcise isn’t it. x
I had no idea that it was national walking month but I think you are right when you say you shouldn’t compare your abilities to anyone else x
We all do it though which is a shame, even sometime compare ourselves to ourselves.
I used to walk around the neighborhood every night after dinner. I need to get back into the habit.
oh now that is a good idea, I might have to try and do something similar.
I had no idea that May was National Walking Month! I love to take my 3 month old daughter for a walk in her stroller. I think it is great for both of us to get some fresh air and get moving 🙂
Aww that sounds like a lovely time to walk, both of you out and about together.
Oh I would love this! Hard to do with my young kids right now but would definitely want to walk more with friends when they get older!
Any little walk is a good one though 🙂 enjoy it in the future though.
Great post, and this is something that I have learnt to look into these days, we have some great areas to walk around here, and used to love our little family walks x
It is hard when you can’t do the things you used to isn’t it, but perhaps your manage small ones.
I walk along our seafront most days and I love to take in the views and sights. I don’t walk far and I certainly don’t walk fast but i love it. Elinor x
I love walking! It’s this time of year that I ensure that we start getting out and walking with the kids, the dogs. It’s a family affair after dinner on those nights that we don’t have extracurricular activities.
It is great fun when you get to walk with friends, family and puppers!
Walking is one of my favorite ways to work out. We live in the country so the views are always beautiful. I can go by myself to help clear my head or walk with friends to enjoy the company.
Oh wow how nice getting to live somewhere with beautiful walks and views.
I love going for walks in exploring areas. Where I live in the summer is too hot to do that, but every other season we go and explore everywhere. We love taking walks.
Great advice, getting out and about does everyone good. We should all make the most of the time we have.
It is great that walking has its own month. It really is the best way to get out and enjoy nature while getting your heart working.
I walk with my friend a few mornings a week. We don’t speed walk or anything, but still like to get out there and get some fresh air.
That sounds like a lovely morning spent with friends.
I used to love walking now have a neurological disease but with my walker I can manage to walk. Can go round town can’t walk miles like I used to but I do the best for me and that’s all you can do. Go for it xxx