How to Keep Walking When Your Routine Changes (Again!) for Summer
I am a creature of habits and routines. I have daily routines and weekly routines that make it easy to run on auto-pilot on days when I’m too tired/stressed/frantic to put a whole lot of thought into what needs to be done. Sometimes I’ll look down and realize I’ve started packing my kid’s lunch without even thinking about it.
And then summer comes along and throws everything off.
For many of us, once that last school bell rings for the summer, everything changes. Kids are home and in need of activities and rides and snacks. Vacations pop up. Bedtimes and wake-up times are…constantly shifting. Schedules and routines are thrown right out the window. And suddenly the daily walk that just became a part of the routine during the spring feels a lot harder to maintain.
Fortunately, you don’t need the perfect routine to keep walking during these crazy summer months; you just need to be a little more flexible.
Here are some simple, realistic ways to keep moving when summer gets hectic.
Adjust for the New Season
It’s just not realistic to expect your old routine to fit into a new season. During the summer, things do not run like clockwork the way they did during the school year. Schedules are more unpredictable.
You don’t need to feel like a failure because you’re off your schedule. Instead, you just need to adjust your routine for your new schedule (or, okay…lack thereof).
Or, in the wise words of Ross Geller: “PIVOT!”
Short Walks Count More Than You Think
Not every walk has to be long. You don’t have to plan ahead and make everything perfectly structured. Summer is the time to wing it while embracing daily Walking Snacks!
This, my friend, is why I wanted to kick off the summer with our Walking Snacks Challenge: not just to get you through the hectic month of May but also to help you start to shift your mindset for summer walks.
You might not have time for a three-mile walk to start your day. You might not have a long, peaceful lunch break to fit in some walking time. Instead, you can fit in a few quick walks during the day—whenever the opportunity arises.
This could be:
– a quick 10-minute walk before the kids wake up
– an after-dinner stroll
– pacing while on the phone
– a walk around the parking lot during sports practice
– a few laps around the playground while your kids play with their friends
Sometimes you just need to look for an opening and get a little creative. If you’ve got a few minutes to spare, get some walking in!
You may not have a lot of time for long walks right now, but consistency is key.
Walk Earlier (or Later)
Midday walks may have been perfect during the spring, when the weather was comfortable. During the summer, though, midday walks can quickly become unbearable.
Fortunately, during the summer, the days are nice and long, offering extra daylight hours to fit in a walk. If you’re a morning person, try an early-morning walk. If not, try a golden hour sunset walk. Not only are those the cooler times of the day, but sunrise and sunset walks can become something you look forward to.
Tip: enjoy your morning iced coffee on your morning stroll to make it even more enjoyable!
Go for “Good”
I know how hard this can be. You’ve got goals, and you really hate to fall short. (Or maybe that’s just me?) But it’s okay to scale things back while life gets crazy.
As summer approaches I always brace myself for the unpredictable. I may have the best of intentions, but it doesn’t always go the way I planned. Some days, I may be able to get my teenager to humor me and go for a morning walk—and maybe I’ll get my husband to humor me and go for an after-dinner stroll. Some days, I might find the time for a nice long walk. Other days, I might be so busy racing from one thing to another…or scrambling to hit my deadlines…or dealing with family members who aren’t in the mood.
I remember once hearing that a smart way to set goals is to set “Good,” “Better,” and “Best” goals. During the more routine parts of the year, you might hit your “Better” and “Best” goals every day. During the summer, you might just have to be happy with “Good.”
Your “Good” goals can be something like:
– walk 10 minutes
– one walk every day
– one continuous mile
Remember that consistently doing something “Good” is way better than giving up completely.
Build Walking into Summer Activities
Busy seasons sometimes require a little extra creativity. Fortunately, though, summer offers so many natural opportunities to get out and get moving. One year, my daughter and I set out to explore more of our city’s parks. Each adventure would include a walk for me, followed by playground time for her. We got to explore a whole lot of new places, and we got plenty of steps in the process!
Or you could…
– walk while the kids ride their bikes
– stroll through a farmers market
– explore local museums or other tourist attractions
Summer movement might look a little different—but it still counts!
Make Walks Feel Fun Again
Since routines and schedules have all gone out the window, summer is the perfect time to change things up and make your walks feel fun again.
Try exploring new parks and trails and routes. Meet up with a mom friend while the kids are in camp. Get the kids to join you for a walking scavenger hunt or a photo walk.
And don’t forget to give yourself something to look forward to at the end of your walk—whether it’s an iced coffee, a frozen treat, or just a long, refreshing shower.
Summer routines tend to feel a little…crazier…than the rest of the year. And that’s okay.
Some days, you’ll be able to fit in a long walk. Some days, you’ll squeeze in a few extra minutes where you can. And that’s okay.
The goal is to keep showing up for yourself, however that looks from one day to the next.
Even a quick walk can help you reset, refresh, get a quick breath of fresh air, or fit in a little bit of “me time.” And during this busy time of year, that’s often just what you need.
How does your walking routine change during the summer?
