Walk Every Day in June Challenge
This post is part of our Summer of Simple Walking series. Check out the intro post for more information and links to other helpful posts.
Whenever your routine changes, it’s the perfect time to try something new—like going on a daily walk. But it’s summer—and though we like to think of the “lazy days of summer,” that’s rarely the case. And since we just kicked off the Summer of Simple Walking, we’re starting with a challenge that doesn’t require an intense, all-or-nothing fitness plan. Instead, we’re sticking with something simple: just walk every day…your way.
This month, there aren’t any step goals. No expectations. No speed/time/distance requirements. Just one rule: show up for yourself every day—even if it’s just for a few minutes.
What is the Walk Every Day in June Challenge?
Really, it’s as simple as that: walking every day. And instead of me telling you how far to walk…or how long…or how many steps to get, you get to decide what counts.
Some days, your walk might look like a 30-minute walk around the neighborhood. It could be an after-dinner stroll. It could be a few laps around the park while your kids play. Or it could be a 10-minute Walking Snack between picking the kids up from camp and making dinner. Some days, it could even be a long walk with a friend.
Everything counts!
There’s Just ONE Rule
The rule: walk every day in June.
Yep. That’s it. There are no minimums. Just walk.
The goal here is consistency—not perfection. Last month’s Walking Snacks Challenge was designed to help you think differently about your walks—to learn to fit more walks into everyday moments. This month, we’re taking another step, working on building a daily habit—and that’s what makes the biggest difference. This time of year can be crazy. The kids are home, and it seems like the schedule changes every day. So this challenge is designed to work with real life, not against it.
Why It Works
So many challenges don’t work because they’re too strict. You may start out feeling motivated—determined to jump right in, determined to tackle every obstacle in your way. But then life gets in the way.
This challenge is different because it meets you where you are.
On busy days, it’s okay to stick with a quick Walking Snack.
If you’ve got the time and energy, you can go longer.
If you’re worn out after a long day of coordinating camp drop-offs and pick-ups and playdates with friends, a slow evening stroll still counts.
What matters here is that you’re showing up every day, however that looks for you today.
Some Ideas for Your Daily Walks
Sure, it would be great to fit in a long, refreshing walk every day. But that’s not always possible. So here are some ideas for keeping it simple and mixing it up:
– Take a walk as soon as you get up, to start your day before the craziness begins
– Walk in the evening, as a way to wind down after another busy day
– Listen to a fun podcast or audiobook
– Bring coffee!
– Take the kids on an adventure to a new park
– Walk the kids to their playdate instead of driving
– Walk with a friend or family member
– Fit in some steps between activities, to help you reset during the day
This challenge is about making walks work within your schedule, even during times of year when your schedule seems to change every day.
Make It Your Own
I’ve given you the basics; you can customize the challenge from there.
Want an extra challenge?
This challenge was designed to be something that anyone can do, no matter where you are in your walking journey. But if you’re ready to go a little bit beyond the basics, you can set some goals. It could be something small, like going for at least one 15-minute walk each day. Or you could set a step goal. Just be sure to keep your goals attainable—something that you can achieve even on busy days.
Reward yourself!
Personally, I like to reward myself with a coffee after my walk. But you can also plan a reward for staying consistent all week. Or you can track your steps/miles and celebrate milestones.
Mix it up
Keep it fresh and fun by mixing up your walks. Try morning walks, evening strolls, and (my personal favorite) Coffee Mom Walks. A little variety helps to keep it interesting.
Track your progress
Be sure to save the tracker provided and check off or color in each day. You can also track your progress on a calendar—or something else that works for you. You might just find that being able to see your progress makes it feel like a bigger deal.
Tips to Help You Stay Consistent
As I’ve said before, this challenge is all about consistency—and fitting your routines into real life. In order to stay consistent, it helps to stay flexible. Here are some ways to keep yourself on track:
Keep it short on busy days. Walking Snacks count! If that’s all you have time for today, that’s okay! You can walk more when your day isn’t as frantic.
Stack it! Habit stacking can help you stay on track. Just connect your walk to something you already do every day—whether it’s after lunch, during your coffee break, or something else.
Have a backup plan. Plan A doesn’t always work out. That’s why it’s important to have Plans B, C, and D handy. For me, if all else fails, I’ll take the time to walk around the house while listening to my audiobook.
Don’t overthink it. You don’t have to have a detailed plan. You just need to move.
What If You Miss a Day?
There’s no punishment if you miss a day. No guilt. No starting from scratch. This challenge is about building a habit and learning to stay consistent—not about making you feel bad if you slip.
If you miss a day, pick it back up again tomorrow. You’ve got this!
This month’s challenge isn’t about perfection. It’s not about pushing yourself, either. It’s about showing up for yourself, day after day. It’s about taking one walk—and then taking another one tomorrow.
By the end of the month, you’ll have more steps. You’ll have a routine that’s flexible. And you’ll have a base that you can build on from here.
