Okay, so you know that walks are an important part of your overall exercise strategy. And you took your first steps all summer and into fall! But well… it’s getting colder. And… it gets dark WAY early now, even before you get home from work. Because of the time change and the weather, I know I don’t WANT to go outside anytime soon.
I’m trying to wrap my head around it though because, well, I’ve chosen to live in New England and it’s going to be a long winter otherwise. Instead of adopting the mindset that winter walking sucks and subsequently neglecting my walking routine, I choose a different thought.
Remember that thoughts create our feelings, which then create our actions (or inactions or reactions), which then have a direct impact on our results (or lack thereof). If I can think more positively about going there, I’m more likely to DO it!
This also fits into one of my overall goals of being more present in small moments.
So instead of just wishing my walks were over, I focused on how moving my body made me feel energized. That I appreciate some sun on my face. That the cold air has an invigorating effect. I’ve been trying to listen to less podcasts while walking (because as much as I like to, sometimes we just need a break from information overload) and listen to more music or walk in silence.
This helps me notice more of my surroundings: little details in the houses I walk past, the leaves on the trees, the view from the lake. I find that the more present I feel on my walks, the more present I feel for the rest of my day.
And of course it gets me out of the house! Read on to learn about five ways to get more walks in the winter months: