Welcome to the Summer of Simple Walking!
As of 4:00 pm last Thursday, everything changed in our house. Schedules and routines flew out the window the second my daughter walked through the front door after her last day of school. While I once had a big, open block of time in the day to take care of all of my weekly deadlines and activities and responsibilities—and also fit in my daily walk—now I have three months of calendar pages that are bleeding with the purple ink that I used to note all of my daughter’s summer activities. And in the time that isn’t covered in practices and open gyms and camps and maybe a little vacation time, I have a teenager who needs a little adventure, a little down time, and a ride to her friends’ houses.
During the school year, with its big, open blocks of time during the day, it’s a whole lot easier to be serious about daily walks. It’s just a matter of scheduling them into your daily routine—whether it’s as soon as the kids get on the bus, during your lunch break, after dinner, or even regular walks with friends. But when you no longer have routines, you might feel like you’re flying by the seat of your pants, just trying to get through another chaotic day.
After writing last week’s post on “How to Keep Walking When Your Routine Changes (Again!) for Summer”, I realized that this isn’t something that we can touch on for just one post and move on; it’s something that we need to work on all summer long.
The Summer of Simple Walking Series is about letting go of the idea that your walking routine has to be perfect for it to count. You don’t need an intense workout plan. It doesn’t need to be complicated. You don’t need to get up every morning feeling strong and motivated. You just need simple, realistic ways to keep moving until that morning in August (or maybe September), when the kids get back on the bus and your school-year routines return.
This summer, we’re working on:
– walking more consistently
– staying flexible
– making walking fun
– enjoying movement
What to Expect This Summer:
Okay, so our Spring Walking Tune-Up series was detailed and specific and organized well in advance. But this is a whole different time of year—and just as our walking routines are a little messier and more unpredictable this time of year, so is my content calendar. I’ll be updating this post throughout the summer with links, so be sure to bookmark this page as the index of all things summer walking.
Here are some of the things that you can expect throughout the summer:
– fun summer walking challenges
– low-pressure motivation
– trackers to help you record your progress
– more Walking Snacks to help you get more summer steps
– realistic routines
– fun playlists for your summer strolls
– tips and tricks for getting the most of your summer walks
This Series Is for You If…
You want to stay active without rigid routines and complicated workout plans. There is a time for everything—but summer is not the time for overthinking or overcomplicating things. We’re all about keeping things simple and flexible.
You’re trying to stay consistent. With your walking routines—like so many other things—consistency is key. Your routines may not look the same every day, but if you want realistic ways to keep moving, you’ve come to the right place.
You don’t have time for long summer workouts. This time of year is crazy and unpredictable. While you may be able to fit some nice, long walks in, they probably won’t happen every day—and, even then, they probably won’t happen at the same time, day after day. Summer is about keeping it real and keeping it flexible.
You want to enjoy your walks. Sure, you’re walking because it’s good for you. But you won’t want to feel like it’s something you have to do. We’re focusing on making it something you want to do.
You’re looking for a little motivation—but nothing extreme. I’m not here to yell at you, pressure you, or guilt you. I’m here to be your walking buddy, your accountability partner, your cheerleader. I’m here to share the experience with you.
This Summer, We’re Taking a Different Approach
Creating healthy habits doesn’t have to be about pushing yourself harder, setting extreme goals, or being perfect. Those are the kind of routines that start strong but quickly fall apart.
This summer, we’re focusing on flexibility and fun—on keeping it simple. I’m here to remind you that small steps can make a huge difference. That short walks count. That you don’t need to go all in to do something that’s good for you.
Sometimes, it’s okay to stick with what’s simple.
What We’re Covering
How to Keep Walking When Your Routine Changes (Again!) for Summer
This is the post that inspired the whole series—offering tips for adjusting your routines to your new summer schedule.
10 Ways to Make Your Walk Feel Like “Me Time”
Self-care can be hard to come by during the busy summer months—especially if you’ve got kids at home. But with a little change in attitude, your walk can feel less like a chore and more like “me time.”
Walk Every Day in June Challenge
The Lazy Girl’s Guide to Summer Walking
Morning Walks vs. Evening Walks in Summer
50 Ways to Get More Steps This Summer
Walk + Coffee Date Ideas
…and a whole lot more! Don’t forget to bookmark this page for links and updates!
One Last Thought Before We Begin…
Summer is a fun-filled time of year—but it can also be unpredictable. So this summer isn’t about perfection. It’s about finding simple ways to move your body, finding a little bit of peace in the chaos, and having fun doing it.
