5 Things that Helped Me Stick to My 28 Day #Walkabout Program
You may recall that I am participating in Dr. Weil’s 28 Day Walkabout Program as an ambassador. Even though today is the last official day, I am telling myself that it is not really ending. I hope to take the things I’ve learned and the habits I’ve developed and roll them over for another 28 days, and then another, and….well you get the picture.
Over the last 28 days, I’ve learned a little bit about what gets me to stick with a walking program and I’d love to share a few of them:
1) Commitment. And I mean out loud to someone else, not that “I promise myself” kind. Knowing that I had made a commitment to walk every day helped on those cold and rainy days where I really didn’t want to.
2) Motivation. I love gift cards. Being able to go into a favorite store and shop without “spending any money” is so much more fun, don’t you think? So imagine my delight when I found a pedometer that rewards you for walking with gift cards!!! Seriously. The S2H (Switch2Health) line of products give you codes for your activities that can be submitted for gift cards to Target, iTunes, Walmart, and many other businesses. The S2H Step is a pedometer that gives you a code for every 10,000 steps. The more you walk, the more you earn. (Talk about motivation!)
I was provided a Step and a Reply to try.
3) Comfort. Having the right shoes made all the difference in my willingness to get out and walk each day. In the past, I have had trouble finding walking shoes that fit well and typically wound up with blisters and even plantar fasciitis from shoes that just weren’t quite right. Dr. Weil sent along a pair of Rhythm Walkers from his Integrated Footwear shoe line and they made all the difference. They are very lightweight but (somehow) still supportive. I was walking four+ miles in them the first few days I had them and didn’t have a single sore spot. In fact, I loved them so much, I am buying another pair!
4) Companionship. Having someone to walk with is a great motivator. Having someone who will make a mess on your rug if you don’t walk is an even bigger motivator. As you probably know, we adopted Roofus (aka Wisconsin Doggy) just before the Walkabout started and the timing could not have been better. All pee jokes aside, it was great to have a buddy to walk with me each day, even if he did want to stop at every fire hydrant.
5) Community. All of the Walkabout Ambassadors had a private Facebook group where we could communicate and trade stories and accomplishments. While I couldn’t participate as much as I would have liked, it was great to be able to log on and see what everyone else was up to. I know there’s been talk of people keeping the page going, and I hope we do as it is nice to know that there are folks all over the country working toward the same goal that you are!
I’ve absolutely loved my time as a Walkabout Ambassador and cannot recommend Dr. Weil’s Integrated Footwear highly enough if you are looking to start your own walking program.
As a #Walkabout Ambassador, I received shoes and other walking apparel as well as a few other goodies. All opinions and experiences shared on this website and other social media channels are my own and not influenced by any compensation.
A great pair of walking shoes does make it easier to stick with it!
I need some motivation to exercise too. maybe I will try these!
What a great motivator!
I have to admit that I lack motivation for some reason… being rewarded with GCs would definitely be a good motivator. 🙂
Motivation is key and attitude is everything! Great job!!
Those look like great walking shoes!
It sounds like a fabulous experience, and between the great shoes and the supportive community, it was bound to be a success. Yay!
What a great attitude you had!! Sounds like a great program! I hope you continue with it!!
Companionship is key. You have such a cute companion!
I am going to have to look into getting one of those pedometers!
I think it’s great you had a support system that was understanding. Also, looking good = feeling good!
I need a good pair of walking shoes. I have the support and community, I just need to get my butt in gear.
Great job! Companionship goes a long way toward helping us succeed, doesn’t it?
I love the gift card idea! lol
Great tips!
Cute dog, I am going to look at the pedometer. The 28 days went so fast. I am going to keep walking. Good luck to you.
Cute dog. Good luck with your walking. The 28 days went so fast.
Faye H. http://hifay.wordpress.com/
I like the idea of earning rewards for every 10,000 steps
Great products. It’s easier to do when you have the proper gear.
Some great tips here. Thank you!
I have to have music when I walk, companionship would be awesome too!
great job. Those shoes DO look comfy
What a fun ambassadorship … and I am checking that pedometer right now… that is COOL!
Walking with someone is always better than alone.
Thank you for the wonderful tips!
Thanks for the tips, and great job on the walking!
Going to the gym keeps me motivated. I used to try and work out at home but there was nothing that motivated me!
I need to invest in a good pair of walking/running shoes!
Awesome! Keep it up! You won’t regret getting healthier!
I love walking out with my pup and my music in my ears.
I have been going to the gym and trying to walk 45 minutes on an incline. I found that by bringing my kindle and reading, my time goes by fast while the calories are burning!
Great post!
Great motivators. Definitely need them
You are doing awesome! Sounds like you had all the right tools for success!
ah a companion thats what i need
I need to get back to walking everyday.
Wow, a pedometer that gives you gift cards? I think even I could be motivated by that! LOL
That’s awesome 🙂
Came back cause I couldn’t remember which pedometer you used. Got to get me one!
Cute dog! =)
I have a pair of Dr. Weil’s shoes and they are SO comfy (I’m wearing them right now!) – those are great things that you learned during your 28 days!
Very impressive, 28 days in row is great!
I’ve never heard of Switch2Health–that is just what I need to get motivated! I’m going to look into it!
That sounds very cool! Good for you!
awesome to be able to stick with it!