“Starting a Walking/Running Routine”

Everyone starts somewhere on their fitness journey. Some people can easily adjust and pick up new things quickly, while some of us need to start slow and work our way up. When interested in adding more physical activities into your lifestyle, sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. If weightlifting or home workouts aren’t your thing quite yet, that is okay!

Walking and/or running is a great way to get moving when living a healthy lifestyle!

Where do you start?

Well, we all live different lives and have different routines.

Start by picking a time in your day that best fits your schedule, even if it’s only 20 minutes. The most common excuse when it comes to working out is not having enough time. Sometimes this means you need to adjust your schedule, whether that means getting up 20 minutes early or going right after work.

Find a time that works for YOU.

Different places/ways you can walk:

• Find a route near your home you would like to take or maybe a nearby park and make it a daily routine to get some fresh air.

• Maybe you’re a treadmill person. Treadmills aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but maybe visit your local gym and see what they have to offer. Machines can seem intimidating, but don’t be afraid to ask the staff how to use it, that’s what they are there for!

• Did you know the Family Life Center here at First Baptist Church of Arlington has a walking track located on the 3^rd floor above the gym? Come when we open and get in your morning walk! Why not try out our other machines while you’re here! Don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you need help learning how to use something.

Ways to keep you motivated and get you started:

• Having an apple watch or Fit bit is a great way to keep track of your steps!

Set daily goals for yourself and see how many steps you can get in a day! This is a great way to keep you motivated and set               small goals for yourself.

• Download a walking/running app! These kinds of apps are great for tracking your progress, and they help you set goals so you can see improvement! Trust the process and stay consistent. That is key!

Apps suggestions:

• Nike Run Club app
• Couch to 5k app