1. Start Small - You don't have to start off with a forty-five minute walk on the first day. We all crawl before we walk. Walk one block. Walk two the next time, and so on until you reach your goal. On the days I don't have time for a full forty-five minute walk, I take a twenty minute one. Any walk is better than no walk. Just get moving!
2. Get Tough - One thing I do is put a post-it note on my mirror that reads, "Walk, NOW!!" I also put my sneakers in front of the bedroom or front door. When I trip over them it reminds me of what I must do.
3. Stay on the Right Track - Put this on the priority list. Make it one of the top three things you do that day. Stay focused and you will start to see results immediately.
4. Don't Delay - If you put things off for too long, they never get done. Start today!
5. Combine Activities - Let your walking be like instruments in an orchestra coming together to accomplish one goal. No one says you have to just walk when you walk. Bring your CD player/mp3/ipod and listen to your favorite music or motivational speaker. Sightsee, make your "to do" list for the next day, or even meditate.
6. Adjust Your Attitude - don't look at it as though it is punishment. Look at it as though walking were a fact of life. It makes you less stressful, happier, and healthier. Walking will even improve your posture.
7. Reward Yourself - Be kind to yourself, especially in the beginning. For example: If I walk this whole week, I will buy myself a new pair of shoes. Sometimes a little extra motivation will go a long way.
8. Give It a Fair Shot - Don't just walk for two days and give up because you don't feel any better yet. Give it at least two to three weeks. Experts say it takes approximately sixteen to twenty-one days to establish a habit.
9. Get a Walking Partner - Not only is having a walking partner safer and more fun, but sometimes teammates can motivate each other to stick to the program. I love taking my wife with me, it's a great time to talk about those things you don't usually have time to talk about.
Be like the Nike commercial and...
10. Just Do It!! - Why do you continue to read this?? With all these reasons, you should be out walking right now!! Walking works wonders, I promise you!
Remember, businesses don't succeed until your people do.