How do I make walking more challenging?

[Paradise555]

I was wondering how I make walking more challenging? Yeah sure walk faster, up hills etc for a challenge but I am tired of that. I am open for suggestions. I have been getting 10,000+ steps a day for almost 50 days straight so it seems like I am getting bored. Help?

[LisaHiker · Accepted solution]

Great job in getting your steps in! 🙂 Here's a couple of things that help me mix it up:

1. Rotate your routes. Most of my steps (walking, hiking, running) are done outdoors, so I change up my routes and locations. A change of scenery keeps it interesting and introduces different challenges.

2. Adding wrist weights makes it more challenging. 

3. Add a new song to your music playlist each week.

4. Encourage a friend to join you and make it a healthy competition. 

5. Reward yourself. Make a goal and when you reach that goal, you have earned your reward. My rewards are based on a healthy lifestyle: day hike, new workout gadget or clothing, pedicure, etc. 

I am brand new to Fitbit, but I have logged workouts since 2011 with over 3,000 miles. I hope some of these ideas help you

[RivalDealer]

Maybe start running instead?

You will still get your steps in but faster and improve your cardio at the same time.

[pidgeon92]

Yep, running will do it. I started with a couch-to-5k program in April, and since I completed it I've been doing 5K three times a week. It's a challenge each and every time. I listen to audiobooks to keep from getting bored during a run.

[Astriya · Accepted solution]

Definately find a walking buddy.  I have started bringing my 10 year old son with me on walks and he makes things way more interesting.  He doesn't stop talking the whole time and sometimes he runs ahead and then yells for me to hurry up!

You could also start walking places such as the store, if it's only 2 miles away it would only take about 30 minutes to walk and then you could walk back with your purchases which would increase the weight/challenge of the walk home.

Definately mix up your route, there's really nothing wrong with making an hour drive or bus ride just to find a cool new trail, especially if you go with someone special.

Listen to audio books.  I use this technique when I'm cleaning house or just feel like walking a while without paying attention to where I'm walking.  There is a trail that goes out from my house and it's 1 mile out and 1 mile back.  Gets boring walking the same trail everyday but it becomes an enjoyable retreat if I listen to a book on my phone while doing it.

Good Luck.  

[SamsLaLa]

Great job on getting those steps! I do walking/running intervals. I set a distance goal using the Nike+ running app, and then alternate walking/running until I reach that goal. I need a structure to it, so I use the songs on my phone...walk a song, run a song, walk a song, etc. Maybe that's something you could try. 

[Paradise555]

Cant do running due to a pre existing condition. Thanks everyone for the help. 

[Peggie]

Try this>>> Do Leslie Sansone's 3-mile heart healthy walk and add 3-lb weights to the mix. Leslie Sansone is a walking-fitness-video guru. I like that she keeps everything to "walking"--no dance steps or intricate moves--- then adds arm exercises. She doesn't use the weights in this particular video but she does in others. I recommend just doing the arm exercises without weights first then slowly adding weights. I can do half of it with 5 lb dumbells but have to switch to 3 lb dumbells half-way thru. This video started as our winter&early spring workout. We love adding the weights and focussing on pulling in our abs while we "walk". While I regularly get about 8-10 miles of actual walking/jogging/running per day, I try to do this workout at least 2-3 times a week. It can be intense, it's adaptable, and it works muscles that just don't always get worked out in other workouts.   BTW-  this video is ~45 minutes long and is FREE on YouTube! And I am ALL ABOUT FREE!!! 

[fitdownunder]

Yep definitely walking/running intervals, just sprint all-out for 20 or 30 seconds, gets your heart pumping.

[newlyfetraci]

I borrow audio books from the library.  I have walked extra to finish a chapter.  And I get a story theme I would not buy. Kinda forces you to hear something new.

[Tinman53]

I also walk, no running.  I recently started to add variations to my pace to mix it up some.  I listen to music via earbuds while walking (not too loud so you can hear traffic).  For one song, generally around 3-4 minutes, I will increase to pace to as fast as I can comfortably do, then the next song, a more moderant pace.  I find that it helps me maintain interest.

I also look to see what has changed on my route.  I use basically three main routes and I am always looking around to see what has changed (they painted the porch on that house, a tree was removed, etc.). Helps me keep my mind a little sharper and maintain our powers of observation.

[Lumberjerk]

I go rucking to make walking a little more challenging. You can buy an old surplus pack pretty cheap and throw a bag of sand or salt in it and it will get your heart rate up higher over the same distance you usually travel.

Work up from a very low weight though!  Start small and add weight as you feel comfortable.

Google rucking to find some articles on the benefits and see if it seems good for you...

[thethinker]

I have now walked 9,400 miles in the same area. I have becomed bored out of my mind. I've found two nature preserves and a different path to walk. I find that I enjoy walking more at night now than day.  If you can, consider participating in a 5k. Each 5k will challange you and provide new scenary-- never mind the benefit of helping charity. I plan to participate in one in November as the weather has not cooperated for much training this year.

[Crank]

Maybe try some ankle wieghts?

[bruceL]

Turn a walk into a Ruck. Throw some weight into a backpack and go. Google 'rucking' to get more info. Start with a small amount of weight and work your way up.

[Tom_Murphy]

Rucking - wearing a weighted backpack when you go for a walk

start low 5 lbs , a brick, a small bag of charcoal

gradually increase to 30-40 pounds

[Mukluk4]

My secret is a high activity dog as a companion.  Never a dull moment

[patel_d21]

Another thing you could try is to improve upon your walking techniques whilst walking through busy streets filled with people walking both around and at you from every direction possible.  Do your best in whatever way you can to ensure that everyone other than you can continue walking without any interference from you, walk around and through them using everything in your reportoire and learn new methods and techniques as you go along, then try it at a faster pace.  Trust me, you won't have time to get bored and the experience will be different every time and you'll really learn to appreciate walking as more than just exercise or a way from getting from A to B, it's more a way of life and very artistic at that.  Maybe have a friend record a birds eye view video of it if possible to see what you've achieved afterwards.

Paint the world with your very own walking style 🙂