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continued:
Walking: How to start a walking group
Get your walking group organized
Once you've recruited members for your walking group, hold a kickoff meeting. Collect email addresses, phone numbers and other contact details, so you can stay in touch about workouts and keep each other motivated.
Then discuss the details of your walking group, such as:
- How often to walk
- The distance to cover
- The speed to walk
- When and where to meet
- Whether to walk indoors or outdoors
- What to do in case of bad weather
- The route to take
Of course, your walking group may need some flexibility to accommodate weather, work schedules, illness or other factors that may arise. If you've recruited lots of people, consider breaking into smaller walking groups, perhaps based on fitness level, fitness goals, availability or other factors.
On the other hand, if your walking group members are at different fitness levels, you may be able to encourage and motivate each other by walking together. Staying motivated is one of the key factors in sticking with your health and fitness goals for the long term. So lean on your walking buddies for support, especially on those days when you feel like skipping your workout.
Maintain momentum for your walking group
Once your group's walking routine is established, look for ways to maintain and boost motivation. You might choose a name for your walking group, design a group logo, enter charity walking events, or set group goals to increase walking time or intensity.
The camaraderie you experience in a walking group and the shared fitness success can help you walk your way to better health.
Previous page(2 of 2)
- Walking: A step in the right direction. Weight-control Information Network. http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/walking.htm. Accessed Feb. 21, 2011.
- Coghill N, et al. Motivators and de-motivators for adherence to a program of sustained walking. Preventive Medicine. 2009;49:24.
- Laskowski ER (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 22, 2011.
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