10 Ways to Make Winter Walks More Fun
So last week we talked about staying motivated after the excitement of New Year’s resolutions has faded. After Quitter’s Day, when the new shoes have gotten dirty and the initial thrill of doing something new wears off, curling up on the couch may start to feel a lot more appealing than bundling up to go for a walk on a cold, gloomy winter day.
I may have been walking almost every day for years now, but on those dreary winter days, I definitely understand the temptation to slip into hibernation mode. But winter walks don’t have to be something you just survive; they can actually be something you look forward to.
Here are 10 easy, realistic ways to make your winter walks more fun—to help you stick with your routine through the blah winter months.
1) Embrace Short Walks (Because Every Walk Counts!)
The whole point of this month’s 30-Day Walking Reset Challenge is to encourage consistency over intensity. You don’t have to walk six miles a day at a 12-minute-mile pace to make a difference. It’s okay to walk at a pace that works for you—and it’s okay to walk for 10 minutes some days instead of 30 (or more).
Walking for 5-10 minutes still gets you moving. It will still give you a quick mood boost. It still keeps your walking habit alive. And it still counts as a win!
If you feel like you still want to do more, you can go for more than one short walk a day. They’re easier to fit into a busy schedule, and they add up!
2) Dress for Comfort (But Throw in Something Fun)
Now is not the time to worry about how you look when you walk. Now is the time to throw on mismatched layers that keep you warm and cozy. When the temperatures drop, I reach for so many layers that I sometimes feel like that poor kid from A Christmas Story who can’t put his arms down. But it works. I can spend the time enjoying my walk and listening to a good book instead of worrying about frostbite.
Still, I also understand that walking can be fun when you add a little bit of whimsy to your wardrobe. Maybe that means wearing your wackiest pair of CVG leggings under the rest of your layers. Maybe it means picking up a fun, colorful fleece jacket or pattered pants or a silly striped hat—anything that makes you smile when you’re getting ready.
3) Make It Special
For me, walking isn’t just good for me; it’s a time that’s just for me. When you’re a busy wife and mom, that’s special, sacred time. If I’m walking on the treadmill (and it’s not award season), I’ll watch a movie or a TV show that I want to watch. I’ve been through Friends and Gilmore Girls and cheesy chick flicks that no one would ever watch with me. If I’m outside on the trail (or at the mall), it’s a fun audiobook. If you prefer, make yourself a special playlist of all of your favorite songs. No one can criticize your taste in music while you’re walking by yourself!
4) Enjoy the Magic of the Season
Okay, so I’ll admit that a lot of winter days here in the Midwest can be blah. Like…freezing cold but no snow and just…gray for days. But there are days when winter just feels magical. I love the mornings when everything is frosty and shimmery. I love the days when the sun comes out—after days of clouds and gloom. I love walking after a fresh snowfall, when snow clings to the tree branches. But I also sometimes love the peace. My favorite trail is in a populated area, so it’s not secluded, but during the winter, there aren’t as many people on the trail. It’s a quiet escape. And when I do run into other people on the trail, we seem to share a little secret: that these walks bring peace to a crazy day.
5) Treat Yourself
You know I’m not above bribery. And, like your family’s beloved pet, I can also be motivated by treats. And that means that sometimes I’ll allow myself to stop for my favorite coffee on the way home from the trail.
Maybe you’re like me and look forward to coming back to an iced coffee in your favorite cup (yes…I drink iced coffee all winter long). Or maybe it’s a special tea or a steaming mug of hot chocolate with extra marshmallows. Maybe you live in a place where you can walk to your favorite cafe. But that little treat helps to make your walk special.
6) Location, Location, Location
Sometimes walking on the trail just isn’t smart. Maybe the trails are icy and treacherous—or the weather is just plain miserable. That’s when it’s important to have a variety of different locations to choose from. Maybe you’ve got a walking pad in the house. Maybe you have a gym membership and can get on the treadmill or walk on an indoor track. Maybe it’s just laps around the house—or a store. Especially during the winter, I love walking at the mall—because it’s warm and welcoming, but it’s also not at my house. And sometimes I just need to be somewhere else for a while.
7) Make It Social
Sometimes I love the peace of walking by myself. I love being able to get away and just…breathe for a while. But, at other times, I love making my walks a social outing.
Having a walking buddy to pass the miles with you can make the time fly by. It can give you some extra accountability—but it can also just let you multitask by walking while catching up with a friend.
If you don’t have a walking buddy, put out feelers among your friends. If no one jumps at the chance, look into walking groups in your area. You might be surprised by the strong new friendships that you’ll build on the trail.
8) Challenge Yourself
If you’re struggling to keep up with your walking routine, giving yourself a challenge can make your daily walk more interesting.
I’ve shared a number of ideas for walking challenges—and most of them will work at any time of the year. You can find them all on the Challenges page. If none of them work for you, you can come up with your own challenge. You can come up with a list of different places to walk or different walking experiences to try—or create your own walking scavenger hunt.
An easygoing, low-pressure challenge can help you change up your routine and look forward to your next walk.
9) Bring the Fam!
You may not love being outside in the cold and snow, but do you know who does? Kids! If you’ve got younger kids who love bundling up and being outside in the snow, have them join you on a short walk around the neighborhood on a snowy day. You can take in all of the winter sights together—and get some steps together in the process. When you get back home (or at some point along the way), make a snowman…or a snow fort…or have a snowball fight. And make some hot chocolate when you’re back inside. In the process, you’ll turn your walks into great family memories!
10) Celebrate Showing Up
Admittedly, not every single winter walk will feel fun and exciting. Some days will feel cold and dreary. But when you show up on those dreary days, it’s something to celebrate! Take a second to pat yourself on the back and celebrate the fact that you got up, got dressed in your walking gear, and chose moving over sitting.
Exercising doesn’t have to be something that you have to do for your stupid health. It can be something you get to do because it’s awesome and fun and so very good for you. If you take steps to make it fun—even in the winter!—your walking routine will turn into something you’ll look forward to every day.
How did you make your walk fun today?
