I walked for 100 days. Here's what happened.
Nature and all its views!
When I first started walking, I never had plans to reach 50 days or even 100, but 115 days later and here I am… still going strong. Why did I start? How far did I walk? What were the benefits? All will be answered below!
The beginning…
Believe it or not, walking wasn’t my thing before lockdown. I’m a car person. Everyone that knows me knows that, and if you’re a driver you’ll also know how tempting it is to drive instead of walk because it’s usually faster and convenient...let’s be honest! There was a time in my life (uni days) where I was guilty of driving to a location a few minutes down the road. Am I ashamed? Not really, It was cold and I got there quicker! For me, exercise was done in the gym, and if it was outside, It would be for a jog or something similar but walking? Forget it.
Roll on the pandemiccc and the gym was not an option anymore. I could never stay consistent with running due to injury and lack of motivation so I thought I'd try something different. I had been doing a bit of walking during the previous lockdowns but I either did the absolute most (like walk 30km in one day) or barely walked at all, so then I lost momentum.
Just before the start of this year, I started walking again. Just small walks… a few miles to get some fresh air and clear my head. That’s how it started. Then the church was doing fasting and prayers throughout January which I also did so walking was a way to stay up and be productive before work. By the time Feb came, I was now in a solid routine of waking up early and decided to keep it up even if I no longer had to wake up at 6 am.
Now with a good few hours to kill before work, I watched my walks go from 5 miles to 6, to 7… and it’s usually 7 miles that I do daily. Like I said, I didn’t actually walk for exercise, it was more for a clear headspace before work and to get some fresh morning air. I have to admit, the daily sunrises also helped and it was a privilege to catch it during the winter mornings because those mornings were coldddddd! Sadly, I don’t see many sunrises these days and it’s not by force to be out at 4 am.
I grew to like the walks because unlike running, I could multitask. It’s the only reason I’ve been so consistent with my Duolingo, and I get some time to listen to audiobooks, podcasts, new music, and sometimes even a call to my early-bird friends. On the days where waking up is a challenge, I tell myself to just get out for 5 mins, and by the time I’m outside, I’m awake and alert after a few minutes. It’s actually super effective in making you alert, and because it’s low-impact, it means that I am not getting injured either which then allows me to keep going every day.
Me and some of the gang for our friend’s birthday - we went to Dover for the day and it was actually really nice! It’s also the closest we’re getting to France for a while!
Here are the benefits of walking:
You feel more alert when you start the day with fresh air. This also means you are less irritated by things since you’re not so cranky. Walking first thing means that you’re not rolling out of bed to start the day and you are more prepared for the day ahead.
Your mental health improves. Honestly, it really helps. During walks, you have time to reflect, stay calm, and process any thoughts which alleviates stress and any buildup of tension. Walking is free therapy that allows you to dedicate time for yourself and I would highly recommend it.
Leading on from the last point, you give yourself the first few hours of your day. It's a time where you don’t have to pick up calls, don’t have to follow instructions, and aren’t bombarded with the day’s issues. It places you as a priority - because you are. In this life, you come first, so prove that in the way you start the day.
Your digestion improves. Not only does walking keep you fit externally, but the movement promotes healthy internal movement. Need I say more?
You organise your day better. If you stay dedicated to walking, you’ll find yourself in a daily routine. You’ll start to structure your day better as it becomes a priority, and within no time, your lifestyle and habits will change for the better. Things like sleep and concentration start to improve as well as your time management. As long as it sounds to walk long distances, I’m walking when the roads are quiet and I’m going to bed earlier and wasting less time on aimless things… so I’m not actually losing time.
You sleep better. LISTENNN this is the one for me. I've been a notorious insomniac my whole life and for once I sleep decently. Most days I’m asleep before 12/1 am and the rest is sweet. I still have my late nights when there are things to do but my head doesn’t overthink anymore and I generally feel calmer. The more walking you do, the more your body rests and this gives it time to heal and repair.
Weight loss - I know you’re all here to see how effective walking is. The answer is that it’s VERY effective and great for toning and losing weight. Let’s just put it this way… when I first started doing 7-mile walks I burned 1000 calories before 9am. Now, I burn less (since my stamina is better), but I still manage on average 6-800 calories a walk WITHOUT breaking a sweat! I’m as snatched as I would be training hardcore in the gym, except i’m not training hardcore & I’m really enjoying being in the fresh air.
I get to explore more. I love exploring, so if I can’t explore around the world, I’m gonna explore the world I have access to. I’m lucky to live in a part of London that has ample greenery and fields with cute lakes, rivers, and all the beautiful sceneries. No matter what route I decide to walk, I’ll always come across a hidden gem and that’s what makes it even more special. I get to take in my local area and appreciate its beauty. If you follow me on my socials - particularly instagram - you’ll understand why people mistake me for living in the countryside!
Lastly, you become softer and kinder. Maybe it’s just me but I feel like by being in touch with nature and all its beauty you start to appreciate life more. This then trickles into the way that you approach relationships with others. Sometimes I catch myself smiling at nothing on my walks, and I wake up looking forward to another day. During my walks I always say hi or smile to those I encounter along the way and the park security has become familiar to my face. He even waves to me and offers me an umbrella when it rains! Anyways... I guess you could say I’m making someone’s morning when I do these things, but it’s a two-way thing. At the end of it all, I’m just focused on being the best version of me every day and it's nice to see it paying off from one simple change.
Freedom!
Why don’t you try a daily walk? You don’t have to walk as much as I do (unless you want to, of course), but even a 15-minute walk will make a difference to your mood. I promise! What I love the most about this walking journey is that the changes - both internally and externally - have been noticed by those around me.
I saw the difference ages ago, but it’s refreshing to see that being yourself and focusing on you can have such an impact on others. The most beautiful thing that has come from all of this is when people tell me that they’ve started to walk too or ask to walk with me. Even my grandmother (Cucu) has jumped on the wave and tells all her friends about her walks. I’ve seen how much it has positively impacted her and we’ve spent more time together because of it. Walking isn’t just a boring exercise! It can improve your life in more ways than you think.
let me know how your journey goes!
Liz x