Unveiling the Secrets of Health and Success Found in Daily Steps
I. The Journey Begins: Establishing the Habit
28th of April 2024 marks the day that I’ve been #walkingeverydamnday for the past 4 years! And no, I never set that intention back in 2020, it just kind of happened…
Obviously, it serves me well, otherwise I would not have kept it going for so long.
It all started back in 2017, I was stuck with a project that wasn’t going as I had envisioned it. Out of sheer frustration, I went for a walk in the backyard. The occasional walks served me well and I yearned for more. I started sharing my backyard walks on social media and before long a Backyard Hiker was born.
As I found more and more pleasure and benefits in my daily walks, I thought it would have been unfair to keep this to myself. So I founded the #60daystodiscoverchallenge!
A well-being challenge for those ready to become more satisfied with their life and feel significantly more vital and energetic!
The concept is simple but still challenging. You go for a 10-minute mindful walk, every single day for the next 60 days. While discovering your backyard, you also take time to (re)connect with your authentic self, with your surroundings and be more mindful about your day-to-day life.
The #60daystodiscover challenge became the subject for a scientific study, done by the Concordia University of Edmonton in Canada!
While I was coming to the end of one of the #60daystodiscover challenge, a thought crossed my mind. If the walking serves me so well, why would I stop now, why not just keep going?!
FFW 4 years later and I find myself still going for a daily mindful walk, every damn day!
Here is how #walkingeverydamnday has not only changed my life but also made me a successful entrepreneur!
II. Physical Transformation and Well-being
When you search the internet for the benefits of walking you get bombarded with not less than 823 million results!!! While these are great to read, there is no better way than to experience the benefits yourself.
Although I never started walking to gain a specific benefit, the longer I walked, the more improvement in lots of different areas I started to discover. However, if it wouldn’t have been for my endocrinologist – who has been keeping meticulous track of several different parameters in the past 7 years – I would have never known the exact benefits!
Yes, I feel generally better than a couple of years ago but seeing the numbers on paper is still a big difference. When I had my 6-month appointment at the beginning of April of this year, my endocrinologist compared a couple of health markers such as weight (not only weight loss but being able to stay on a healthy weight), blood pressure, cholesterol, Vitamine D, heart rate and bone density (yes, I need to get a bone density scan ever so often).
Not one, but ALL of them improved! No wonder I feel better 😆 not only do I feel better, but I also have the numbers to prove it. I’m in the best shape of my life at 48!
Daily walking also has relieved me from chronic lower back pain which I’ve been struggling with for as long as I can remember. My back is still built crappie but thanks to the daily movement and the muscles I’ve built, I no longer have to go for epidural injections nor do I have to go and see the chiropractor!
Because I feel better and experience the physical changes, naturally it has a positive impact on my overall well-being and quality of life.
I experience reduced stress levels, sleep better, and live more in the moment. I can truly say that I’m more satisfied with life. According to my direct surroundings, I’ve become a much happier person!
I’m my own scientific research 😊
III. Mental Clarity and Creativity
My daily walks have also proved to give my creativity a boost! The idea of creating the #60daystodiscover challenge originated during one of my walks, do I need to say more 😆 My daily mindful walks give me the time and space to zoom in on things, to think them through, often unconsciously. I have had more than one lightbulb moment while walking!
Once you are in movement, your thought patterns also get into movement, you literally get unstuck. Hence my first reason why I started walking. I wanted to untangle, free my mind from mental clutter and regain focus.
That is exactly what my walks brought me. Instead of watching a blank computer screen, I go for a walk when I’m looking for a solution. I don’t say I always find the solution straight away but at least being outside is better than mindless scrolling.
Walking sparks my creativity and many business ideas have been formed while exploring the backyard. And not only for me, also for many of my coaching clients walking has proved to contribute to their business success.
If you would like to read more about the benefits of walking then I can recommend the book In praise of walking by Shane O’Mare.
IV. Connection with Nature and Self
I found myself again! Not that I was lost but I lost touch with what I really wanted from life. I thought I knew what I wanted but I started to realize that it was more founded by what was socially expected from me than anything else.
This wasn’t something I saw coming at all and I also didn’t have the feeling I was lost, until being outside enhanced my sense of self. Being in nature, putting space between the distractions of daily life allowed me to pause and breathe in not only fresh air but also new perspectives.
I learned firsthand that nature has a unique ability to evoke feelings of calmness, grounding, and rejuvenation within us even on walks as short as 10 minutes.
Scientific research shows that the connection with nature has been shown to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve overall mental well-being. This just confirms what I experienced myself. No need to read that scientific research anymore 😆
If you want to read more about why nature makes us happier, healthier, and more creative, then the book The Nature Fix from Florence Williams is a great one to start.
Walking in nature serves as a form of mindfulness meditation, promoting self-awareness and reflection. As I engage in this rhythmic and repetitive motion, my attention is drawn to the present moment. I become attuned to the sensations of my body—my feet touching the earth, the breeze brushing against my skin, the rhythmic beating of my heart. This heightened awareness cultivates mindfulness, enabling me to let go of worries about the past or future and simply be in the here and now. With each step, I gain clarity of thought and a deeper understanding of myself.
My daily walks in nature also offer valuable insights into achieving a harmonious balance between work, personal life, and self-care.
In today’s fast-paced world, where the demands of work and daily responsibilities can feel overwhelming, carving out time for a short walk outdoors has been transformative.
It provides a much-needed break from screens and schedules, allowing me to recharge and prioritize self-care. By incorporating regular nature walks into my routine, I create space for reflection and introspection, fostering a sense of equilibrium and perspective.
I found that this balance is essential for my overall well-being, enabling me to approach life with renewed energy, creativity, and resilience, every single day.
V. Community and Accountability
#walkingeverydamnday for the past 4 years would not have been possible without the continuous support of so many people around me. The #60daystodiscover community kept me accountable. Seeing that my walking inspires others keeps me going!
Sharing the benefits and experiences with family, friends and the online community is FUN and it inspires me to discover more and maintain the habit.
It’s nice to hear the feedback from others, the ripple effect of personal transformation for others to (re)connect with their true self has been phenomenal!
I connect with people around the whole world, people’s lives have changed in so many ways and so has mine. I’m sure I only see the tip of the iceberg but that’s ok.
VI. Conclusion
I’ve walked alone and in company, in the snow, in the rain, and in the sun, I’ve walked on the beach, in the forest, and even in the desert. I walked slowly, fast, far, and short. Not one walk is the same. But I know one thing, my daily walks serve me well!
I don’t need to convince myself anymore to go outside, even if it’s for a short 10-minute walk. When I say that it has changed my life, I’m not exaggerating! Not only physically but mentally and emotionally.
It has sparked my personal growth and self-discovery journey and allowed me to create a sustainable business that I fully embrace.
I’ll not stop now; I’ll keep going and have the magical number of 2000 days in a row in the back of my mind. I’m only a little than 600 days away from that 😆
I would also like to encourage you to consider integrating daily walks into your routine to improve your health and wellness. So that you can experience the benefits yourself!
Walking is easy, well-being is at your doorstep, only one step away, and all you need is 10 minutes a day.
If it sounds overwhelming to you, then join me and others around the world on the next
#60daystodiscoverchallenge starting on the 1st of June!
