It’s no joke–National Walking Day is Wednesday, April 1. This is my second year promoting this event and its message–that we should take 30 minutes out of the day and go for a walk–is one I need to hear again and again.
I spend way too much time every day sitting in front of my computer at work, and then catching up with social media at night. Although wearing a personal activity tracker has helped a little bit, I find myself ignoring its prompts to MOVE more and more frequently.
Um, yeah, 6 hours without enough steps to reset the idle alarm.
(Check out my Garmin Vivosmart review here)
For National Walking Day, the American Heart Association is encouraging everyone to take 30 minutes out of their day to go for a walk. According to their website, walking has the lowest dropout rate of fitness activities, and walking at least 30 minutes a day can help you:
- Reduce your risk of coronary heart disease and stroke
- Improve your blood pressure, blood sugar levels and blood lipid profile
- Maintain your body weight and lower the risk of obesity
- Enhance your mental well-being
- Reduce your risk of osteoporosis
- Reduce your risk of breast and colon cancer
- Reduce your risk of non-insulin dependent (type 2) diabetes
I love this year’s theme–every tie reminds us why—because it is important to remember that every time we lace up our sneakers we are choosing to take steps towards better health. I also need to remember that every time I blow off a reminder to move I am choosing to sacrifice my health for the goal of crossing one more thing off my to-do list. 🙁
Last year I celebrated National Walking Day by taking a lunchtime walk with a friend, and I plan to do the same again this year. I know I would improve my physical and mental health so much if I would do this more than once a year ….
My office also will be kicking off a walking/step challenge. Although knowing that I should move more doesn’t motivate me, I learned that a challenge really does motivate me. During last year’s challenge, I heeded every idle alarm of my Jawbone UP and took over the evening dog-walking shift to make sure I reached at least 10,000 steps every day.
Tiger Lilly is such a good role model!
[Tweet “Celebrate #NationalWalkingDay April 1”]
If you want to celebrate National Walking Day, just plan a break in your day, lace up your shoes, and go for a walk! Grab a friend if you can, or do the next-best-thing and listen to the latest #wycwyc podcast.
Do you take a midday break from work?
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
This is so true Coco. I’ve been in Paris working for the last week and am amazed again by how much I walk here — because I have no choice and it’s what everyone does, not to mention it’s awesome and the best way to get to know the city — compared to my life at home. In Arlington, I drive my car to run every errand, and even drive to meet my running group in the morning – which my husband, who walks and metro’s to work every day, delights in teasing me about!
PS — I just made a date to walk with a friend here Wednesday morning — thanks of the reminder and inspiration!
Thanks! Enlisting a friend will make it more fun for both of you — and amplify the impact!
I MISS OAKLAND.
I MISS OAKLAND.
I MISS OAKLAND.
I need to find a walking something groove here in the ATX.
I also spend way too much time in front of my computer! I’ve started setting the timer on my phone to remind me to get up and move during the day. Thanks for this great reminder!!
I miss having a pedometer to keep me motivated to take extra steps/walks! I have 2 new in the box that I was planning on selling, but maybe in honor of national walking day I’ll open one of those boxes!
Ewww, my comment posted with my old URL, yuck. 🙂
WordPress has a hard time letting go! I can edit it I think!
I didn’t even know it was Nat’l walking day this week. What a great idea thanks for sharing
A few years ago I was in Chicago for it, and I think it was one of the Prudential buildings that had blocked their windows to spell “Walk At Work” Pretty fun!
I do try to get up and move every hour on the days that I’m working at home – otherwise I will sit all day.
Wednesday I have the perfect opportunity to take a midday walk and maybe I can convince the boys to go on a walk after they get home from school since it is going to be a gorgeous day.
Walking at work at lunch is a great idea. I also love to walk the dogs and have been doing that now that the we have extra daylight in the evenings. I’ve been looking at a FitBit. Do you still like your Vivosmart?
I still love it and hate it for the same reasons. I’m still looking for the perfect activity tracker, but I’m not sure it exists!
when it comes to work I walk to the bathroom and back- pitiful I know! I need to make a better effort at getting a proper walk about done! thanks for the reminder!
Some days I don’t even do that frequently enough!
Good to know! I’ll make sure to walk to work on April 1st.
Looks like the weather will be nice!
Your pup is so cute, bet she LOVES national walk day!!!
IT’S MY DAY!!!!!!!
And it’s WYCWYC Wednesday, right?