Stepping Towards Wellness: How Mom Walks Can Transform a Mother’s Life
If you last exercised a while ago or are looking for something easy you can do daily, try mom walks. It’s the perfect low-impact way to exercise. It’s easy to do, you don’t need any special equipment, and you can start at the fitness level you’re at.
If you need to be in better shape, start for a 10- or 15-minute walk around the neighborhood and work your way up. Walking can still provide an effective workout if you’re already in great shape. Walk fast and incorporate some hills and even stairs.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. If you’re like most moms, especially with having little ones, chances are you haven’t exercised as much as you’d like since having a baby, and you need to start small. Walking is the perfect way to start.
Put on those sneakers and go for a stroll around your neighborhood, at the local park, walking around the mall, or, my personal favorite, walking in place at home in front of the TV. 😀 As you’re sitting on the couch at night watching TV, waiting for the children to fall fast… or slowly to sleep, get up during commercial breaks and march in place 10 minutes in between episodes. Or turn on the TV and challenge yourself to march in place during the entire show. Time will honestly fly by.
Going outside for a walk can be a lot of fun, too. Invite a friend to come along as an accountability partner, or grab your phone and listen to a podcast. I’m trying to find my favorite podcast on walks; if you have any recommendations, let me know in the comments!
Anyways, the main thing is that you get out there, move around, and exercise gently on your joints, your heart, and the rest of your body, and that’s what walking will do for you. Try it and see how much more energized, happier, and stronger you’ll feel after a few weeks of regular mom walks. After all, walking is apart of self-care.
As a mom, it’s important to prioritize time for yourself and taking a mom walk can be an easy and accessible way to do so. Find out why walking has so many health benefits and why it should be something all busy mums should be making time for in their schedules.
The Many Benefits of Going For A Mom Walk
There are plenty of benefits to going for a mom walk. It’s fun, relaxing, and, most importantly, healthy. Also, the children will enjoy it too.
Walking Can Help You Get To And Maintain A Healthy Weight
Walking quickly and regularly can help you get to and maintain a healthy weight. Yes, it would help if you still watched what you eat and aimed for a nutritious diet, but walking can be another tool to help you drop those extra pounds.
The nice thing about walking when you’re postpartum or overweight is that you burn many calories, even on short and slow walks, simply because you carry so much weight. As you lose weight, your overall strength and endurance increase, allowing you to walk longer, further, and faster.
Walking Strengthens Your Bones and Muscles
Even though walking is a low-impact exercise, it helps strengthen and tone your body. It is all you need to start to get into better shape if you’re starting out. As you become a fit mom, consider adding weight-lifting exercises in addition to your daily mom walks to continue to get stronger and help develop strong muscles and bones.
Mom Walks Will Boost Your Mood and Fight Depression
Last but not least, walking releases endorphins that will help lift your mood and can even reduce depression. Please give it a go. The next time you feel tired or are in a bad mood, lace up your sneakers and go for a brisk walk. It does wonders.
How To Get In The Habit of Walking More
We were designed to walk for miles and miles to hunt and gather our food, Yet, in modern society, we spend most of our time sitting down. That is not good for our bodies, leading to many health problems. This is one of the most important reasons to make an effort to move around and go for mom walks every day. Of course, it’s easier said than done.
In other words, getting and staying in the habit of going for a mom walk each day can be challenging. But that’s exactly what we must do—to get into a healthy routine. Once it’s an ingrained habit, it won’t be as much of a challenge to make sure to go for a walk every day.
In addition, taking the same route every day helps form that habit. It’s also encouraging to notice that you can walk the same loop faster or with less effort. It proves that you’re making a difference and are getting stronger and increasingly fitter.
Walking has a range of physical and mental health benefits that make it great exercise for all busy moms. With a few simple steps, you can incorporate walking into your schedule and make it enjoyable. Along with walking, try mixing up your exercise routine with different activities to ensure you get the most out of your physical activity.
Try these tips and see if they help you make walking a daily habit and an integral part of your health, fitness, and life.
Now that you know the benefits of walking, make sure to pencil in some time for yourself and get out there for that walk! Tag us in your favorite spot to take a walk and share your experience with other moms.
FAQs
1. How much time do I need to dedicate to walking every day?
While any amount of walking is beneficial, experts recommend aiming for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity walking most days. However, you can start with shorter durations and gradually increase as you build stamina.
2. What if I have young children and find it challenging to find time to walk?
Walking with young children can be an excellent way to incorporate exercise into your routine. You can use a stroller or baby carrier for infants or involve older children by taking family walks together. Look for walking opportunities in local parks or safe neighborhoods, and consider joining mom groups or finding walking buddies who can provide support and accountability.
3. How can I keep motivated to follow a daily walking routine?
Keeping yourself motivated is key to establishing a sustainable walking habit. Set achievable goals, track progress, and reward yourself when you reach milestones. Vary your routes and environments to keep the walks interesting, listen to motivating music or podcasts, or consider using a fitness tracker or mobile app to monitor your steps and achievements.
4. What if the weather conditions are unfavorable for walking?
When the weather doesn’t cooperate, have a backup plan in place. Invest in appropriate gear, such as waterproof jackets or umbrellas, or consider indoor alternatives like walking on a treadmill, going to a local mall, or marching in front of your TV. If outdoor walking is impossible, prioritize flexibility and adaptability to ensure you can still get your steps in, even if it means adjusting your walking schedule.
22 comments
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Coincidentally, my friend and I are going walking today. I’ve been feeling guilty that I am noy back to my regular workout routine, but I’m happy to learn that by incorporating walking in my routine can still keep me in shape. Thank you!
Yes, love that! With that positive mindset and showing yourself compassion, you’ll be back to your regular routine in no time.
Great information!
Thank you for your feedback!
Walking is one of my favorite exercises! It’s so great for mental health. And it’s one of the best exercises for fat burning as well. Love this idea and these recommendations!
Yes, it is! It has definitely helped me with my mental health & patience. Thank you for your feedback!
Love it! Daily walks are essential for my mental health and my oldest daughter has also developed the habit. When I read Emily G’s book Burnout and learned about how to complete the stress cycle, it really motivated me to walk more.
Love that! Thank you for the book recommendation; I’m going to look into it. Thank you for your feedback!
Such great encouragement! Need to add this to my daily routine.
Thank you for your feedback!
I’m always down for a mom walk, especially now that the weather is a little milder.
Yes! I love walking around this time of year, especially with so many 5k walks.
Very helpful and encouraging!
Thank you for your feedback!
Walking has always been a staple in my exercise routine. I love my Mom walks! They seriously keep me sane. Not to mention I’m at a healthier weight than ever!
Yes, love that for you! Thank you for your feedback!
Walking not only is good for weight loss but gives you time to clear your mind which is so important to moms and our busy lives.
Thank you for your feedback!
Yes, LOVE a good mom walk. I have my younger kids with me and even though they’re a little slower, they can still keep up pretty well!
Yes, they do! It’s amazing. Thank you for your feedback!
I love taking daily walks. Helps relieve stress and gives me energy.
Yes, walking is so therapeutic. Thank you for your feedback!