Benefits of Walking:

• Helps maintain a healthy weight
• Prevents or helps manage various conditions – including heart disease, high blood pressure, and Type 2 diabetes
• Strengthens your bones and muscles
• Improves your mood
• Improves your balance and coordination

Stay motivated to walk after Step It Up:

Starting a walking program takes initiative. Sticking with it takes commitment.
To stay motivated:

• Set yourself up for success. Start with a simple goal, such as, "I'll take a 10-minute walk during my lunch break." When your 10-minute walk becomes a habit, set a new goal, such as, "I'll walk for 20 minutes after work." Find specific times for walks. Soon you could be reaching for goals that once seemed impossible.
• Make walking enjoyable. If you don't enjoy solitary walks, ask a friend, neighbor, or current team member to join you. You might also like listening to music while you walk.
• Vary your routine. If you walk outdoors, plan several different routes for variety. If you're walking alone, be sure to tell someone which route you're taking. Walk in safe, well-lit locations.
• Take missed days in stride. If you find yourself skipping your daily walks, don't give up. Remind yourself how good you feel when you include physical activity in your daily routine, and then get back on track.

Once you take that first step, you're on the way to an important destination — better health.