As April neared I was barraged with challenges: from the Photo of the Day, to The Magic‘s 28 day program, to Script Frenzy. Being prone to the 3 C’s (Competitive, Creative, and apparently Cranky when inactive) I thought, not only would I attempt all three of those challenges, but I would create yet another for myself.  This one I hope you will all consider joining with me. It’s simple. Walk for 30 minutes every day. Start today. If you miss a day, make it up by adding time on another day, but try, try with all the might of a serious challenge, to walk each day.

Recently I googled “benefits of walking” and found pages of info. Mental health benefits. Physical health benefits. Plain and simple, if you want to avoid heart concerns or type 2 diabetes or a slew of dis-eases related to inactivity or obesity, daily walking is your key to health. Yet despite the abundance of information about this simple and basic activity, many people come up with every excuse in the book to avoid walking.

My April Walking Challenge is to stop making those excuses, and instead take the time to walk every day for 30 minutes. Perhaps you might get a headlamp and walk in the pre-dawn. Or purchase a baby jogger and take your child along. Maybe with a co-worker head out of the office to walk during your lunch break. Where ever you can, put walking in your schedule. There might even be days when you will have to do laps in your home to log your 30 minutes… whatever you do, make a commitment to the April Walking Challenge.

While out walking look around at the spring bursting forth. Look up when you can. Listen to all the sounds. You may have a different terrain where you live, but I encourage you to embrace it regardless. These photos show my local walking route.

Spring in Vermont can often bring snow… but no matter your obstacle, keep yourself going by calling up a few buddies. The laughing and talking will keep you warm despite low temperatures or inclement weather.

Just place one foot in front of the next, without worrying about your distance or pace. In fact, forget all the health advantages, just enjoy your neighborhood or nearby park, and you will walk your way into a whole new state of being! A happier, and healthier you… and do let me know how you feel when May comes along.