Create Your Perfect Fall Walking Routine: Part 2
Whether you’re trying to adjust your walking routine to fit your fall schedule or you’re trying to create a new routine that fits your life, there are so many different ways to work a walk into your day! We talked about a few of them last week, but if you didn’t find your ideal walking routine there, don’t worry: I’m back this week with more!
7) The Weekend Warrior
If you struggle to find time for a nice, long walk during the week, you can absolutely play catch-up on the weekend.
Set one weekend day aside for your longer walk. You can meet up with a friend or just enjoy a little alone time. Head to a favorite trail or park, and take in the fall sights and smells!
On the other weekend day, plan a fun adventure—something that will boost your step count but also help you enjoy everything that fall has to offer. You can stroll through a farmers market, explore a fall festival, or get lost in a corn maze.
Tips:
– While you may not have time for a long walk during the week, be sure to stay active! Fit some Walking Snacks or other short walks into your weekdays.
– Use your weekend walking time to find new trails to add to your rotation!
8) The Social Walker
Some of us love walking alone—because it allows us to get some steps and some me-time at the same time. But others struggle to stay motivated without a walking buddy.
If you need a little extra motivation—or if you’re just a social butterfly who thrives on connecting with others—get out your calendar and start planning walking dates! Maybe you’ll walk with a neighbor on Monday, a family member on Tuesday, a coworker on Wednesday, your partner on Thursday, and a friend on Friday. Maybe you’ll meet up with a walking group on Saturday and that one friend who shares your love of long walks on Sunday.
Tips:
– Coffee Mom Walks are always a good choice!
– As you find more walking buddies, try starting your own walking group to connect them and create a walking buddy network.
9) The Solitude Seeker
Not everyone wants to walk with a buddy. If your life is already filled with social activities, your daily walk can be the time when you get away from it all to reset your social battery—to enjoy a little solitude. Fall is a great time for finding a little peace in nature—to focus on the colorful leaves, the crisp fall smell, and the crunch of leaves under your feet.
To take advantage of that fall nature walk zen, set aside just a little bit of time each day to get away from it all. Leave your phone in your pocket, and listen to a relaxing book or podcast—or skip the digital entertainment and enjoy the sounds of nature while taking the time to think and breathe instead.
Tips:
– Schedule your solo walk at a time that’s most helpful for your own mental health—whether it’s first thing in the morning, before things get busy, or at the end of the day, when you need to step away to unwind.
– More of a semi-social walker? Schedule one social walk each week and keep the rest of your walks to yourself.
10) The Walker Who Hates Routines
Some of us rely on routines; if it’s not a part of our daily routines, it just won’t happen. Others see routines as dull and predictable; they take all of the joy out of it.
If you’re routine-averse, instead of setting a daily schedule and trying to stick with it, try creating a menu instead, so you can pick and choose as you go.
Each week can include:
– A morning walk
– A sunset stroll
– A coffee walk
– A trail trek
– A neighborhood walk
– A walk with a buddy
– A walk indoors
The only rule is to fit in several walks each week. The rest is up to you.
Tips:
– Create your list ahead of time—and add to it as you think of different walking adventures.
– If you want to be really spontaneous, write down each option on a piece of paper, put them all in a bag, and choose one at random each morning (or before you go to bed).
11) The Indoor Walker
Maybe walking outdoors just isn’t an option for you. Maybe the weather where you live is unpredictable or inhospitable. Maybe the only time when you can fit in a walk is after dark or before the sun rises. Maybe you just don’t have a safe place to walk. Walking indoors is just as good as walking outdoors! A walk is a walk!
Create a list of indoor walking options to choose from. They could be:
– An indoor track
– Mall walking
– A walk-at-home video
– A treadmill
– A walk around the house
Come up with more creative ideas and pick one (or more!) each day.
Tips:
– Don’t let yourself feel like an indoor walk is inferior to an outdoor walk. You’re getting those steps in. The location doesn’t matter!
– Need some ideas? I’ve got some here!
12) The Coffee Lover
It’s totally okay to build your routine around something you love—especially if that something is coffee! You can connect your coffee routine with your walking routine, making coffee your motivation, your treat, your inspiration.
For instance:
For Monday morning motivation: stop by your favorite coffee shop after your walk.
For weekday walks: walk first, then coffee.
For weekend walks: get coffee with a friend and go for a walk.
Change it up: walk somewhere new, then find a new coffee shop nearby!
Tips:
– Not a coffee drinker? We still love you! Substitute another favorite treat instead.
– Want a little extra motivation? Try our Coffee Miles Challenge!
13) The Chaos Coordinator
This season might be a chaotic one for you—and that’s okay. Our lives and routines tend to change with the seasons. The important thing is just showing up for yourself a little bit every day.
The key here is to set a minimum. Maybe that’s just 10 minutes. When you get up in the morning, make a point of finding just 10 minutes in your day to get away for a walk—whenever you’ve got 10 minutes to spare. If things are a little less chaotic one day, go a little longer—but make sure you get at least 10.
This chaotic season won’t last forever. When your schedule changes, you can change your routine, too. But, in the meantime, you’ve created a habit that fits your crazy life—and you can be proud of yourself for sticking with it.
As I said last week, there is no one-size-fits-all walking routine. We all have different needs and responsibilities and schedules and personalities and preferences. So it’s important to find something that works for you, right now, in this season.
Have you found a routine that works for you? Do you fit into one of our 13 routines—or have you created something different?
