Learn to love every step

The 10 tips below will soon have you out walking every day

When walking is at its best, you’re experiencing a heightened version of life while watching kilos fall off. Sarah Kusch (pictured) loves that she can walk anywhere, any time, and in whatever clothes she feels like – and that it opens the door to that buzzy, I’m really alive feeling she can’t find at her desk, in her car, or on her couch. “Walking can truly be whatever you need it to be that day,” says fitness expert Sarah Kusch, your trainer for this program. “I actually crave that energised, inspired feeling I get after my walks. It just makes me feel so much better,” she says. Here are Kusch’s 10 ways walking can make you feel good in every way.

1 CLEAR YOUR MIND

If you’ve found seated meditation practically impossible, try quieting your mind while you walk. “You can get a lot of the same benefits just by focusing on your breath and body,” Kusch suggests.

2 CAPTURE THE MOMENT

Sometimes you want to leave your damn phone at home. But if you’re into Instagram or love photography, snap pics on your walks. “It lets you be creative, and sharing them can inspire friends and family to get out there, too.”

3 TALK TO PEOPLE ( yeah, really)

“So what if you take a short break?” Kusch says. “I met one of my best friends while taking a walk. If I hadn’t stopped and said hello I’d have missed out on a lifelong pal.”

4 DIG INTO DATA

Fitbits. Garmins. Good ol’ pedometers.

There are so many cool options for wearable tech and apps that will track your reps, kilometres and speed. These tools are really motivating.

5

WORK ON GRATITUDE

It’s not just an exercise for your body with many advantage for your general wellbeing as well, explains Kusch. “Some days I spend my entire walk thinking of things or people I’m grateful for. It makes me happy and I go back to the

‘real world’ a better person.”

6 LET YOURSELF BE ANGRY

“Sometimes I’m mad or just crabby,” Kusch says. “Instead of letting it ruin my day, I give myself 30 minutes to vent it. I start walking and within five minutes I’m over it.”

7 GET OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

New surroundings cultivate new thoughts and add an interest to your walks, suggests Kusch. “Even if you don’t travel, I’d bet that there is a nearby bush track or city walk that you could explore. Just get out there.”

8

FINALLY GET TO THAT BOOK

“I’m often so tired that when I do have a spare moment to read I fall asleep,” laughs Kusch. “So I love downloading audiobooks for my walks. I’ll get through a chapter or two in 30 minutes and then knowing the next chapter is waiting for me makes me excited for my walks.”

9 POWER THROUGH PODCASTS

There’s an awesome free audioseries for every kind of interest: from good stories, to inspiring TEDtalks, to health shows, to comedy.

10 CALL A FRIEND

“I have people that I never get around to calling,” says Kusch. “Now I give them 30 minutes and we catch up while I move my body. It’s a win-win.”