Walking is a great way to incorporate self-care into your day. In her book Walk Your Way To Better: 99 Walks That Will Change Your Life, Joyce Shulman, CEO of Macaroni Kid, shares why she walks and how to make your daily walks transformative.
Thank you to WOW! Women on Writing for providing a copy of the book to me.
I don’t know about you, but I am constantly checking my watch to see how many steps I have taken and if I’m close to reaching my daily goal. Walking is something that I have been able to consistently do, even when my body couldn’t do more strenuous exercise. Even yoga is sometimes too difficult … hello ,wrist and shoulder surgeries!
WOW! Women on Writing asked if I would like to check out the book Walk Your Way To Better: 99 Walks That Will Change Your Life by Joyce Shulman, CEO of Macaroni Kid.
In the introduction, Joyce shares several difficult times in her life and how she was able to clear her mind, reset, and get back on track: by walking. For her, walking has always been a way to process her thoughts. It can even have added health benefits.
I typically listen to audiobooks or podcasts when I walk, but Joyce suggests not listening to music or words, but to listen to yourself and have an inner dialog. She has written 99 short 1-3 page sections on different topics. She shares an anecdote, story, or research and then gives a prompt to think about and process as you take your walk that day. She also encourages readers/walkers to jot down a few notes when returning home.
Joyce states that not every single one of the 99 walks may apply to you personally, but that you will find a couple of dozen that do resonate. I haven’t gotten through all of the walks, but I could definitely relate to the one called “Go To Sleep” and another called “Squirrel.”
I find that when I don’t sleep well, it affects my entire day.
A good friend always says “squirrel” in conversations because she just can’t keep focused on one topic at a time. I can relate to that. I sometimes have so many things swimming in my mind that I can’t concentrate enough to do the one thing that needs to get done.
And sometimes that “squirrel” moment is in the middle of the night when I should be sleeping!
With many people working remotely these days or home with their kids for the summer, it’s a great time to lace up your shoes and head out for a walk. Walk Your Way to Better can give you food for thought on those walks.
Purchase Walk Your Way To Better from my affiliate Amazon.
From the author: This is a book about walking your way to better. Everywhere you turn, people, podcasts and gurus promise a simple path to the life you want. But few of them work. Why? Because simply reading the words is rarely enough to call your heart and mind to action. This book is different. Each section provides a thought-starter, insight or story. But I don’t want you to just read it. I want you to read a section and then lace up your sneakers and head out the door. Because while walking, your brain processes in a unique way, enabling you to recognize the things that are truly holding your back and the changes you actually need to make. You will literally Walk Your Way to Better. Along the way, you will forge a powerful connection between your mind and your body. And bonus — you’ll feel better and become fitter.