Every step counts
The London Bridges Challenge is many things. It's a day of entertainment, it's an event that changes lives for people affected by diabetes. It's something we're very proud of.
But first and foremost it's a ten mile walk. Which is no casual stroll. Ten miles is a really impressive milestone to reach in your walking career.
And, of course, walking has many health benefits.
So getting in plenty of practice walks will ensure you enjoy the ten miles to their fullest potential, whilst also cementing regular exercise into your daily routine.
How to start making walking a lifestyle?
Choose walking over other forms of transport when you can. Walk to the shops, to work or whenever you're feeling inspired. It doesn't have to be every time, but every step counts. So be creative in integrating it into your day.
Sometimes it easier to set specific time to walk in your day. 30 minutes to an hour in the morning, at lunch or in the evening really adds up over a week. Enjoy podcasts, music or some quiet time. It doesn't have to be long and you can build up your stamina and keep making your routes longer.
Organise practice walks with friends and family and enjoy some quality time together. Set routes in the countryside on the weekend to really get some miles in, or take it in turns to set routes each week.
Find a walking buddy. You don't have to walk everywhere together, but if you're in need of motivation you can drop each other a message of support to get those walking boots on.
Set yourself a target for your practice steps. It could be 50,000 or 150,000 of dedicated practice steps. You can break it down into daily goals or set it for the whole week. To make walking a lifestyle it needs to work for you.
It's important to take care of yourself whenever you exercise, so ensure you've got comfy footwear, snacks if you need them and plenty of water. Warm ups and stretching can help you recover and ensure you're ready for the next mile.
Then all you need to do is enjoy it.
We've got lots of information on getting active and also on eating healthily, so keep on learning.
