Tag Archives: walking hacks

Motivation Monday: What Walking Can Do for You

It’s a new week, and the first full week of a new month. We should be ready to jump out of bed and take on the day! That’s not always the case though, because Mondays can be hard. Luckily, we have another dose of Monday Motivation to jump start your weekly training for the 3-Day. One easy way to get moving is to remember all the benefits of walking—physical, mental and emotional. Here are some of the life-changing benefits of taking those extra steps:

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It reduces the risk of developing breast cancer: According to research conducted by Susan G. Komen®, women who get any regular exercise or physical activity have a lower risk of breast cancer than women who are inactive.

It helps curb a sweet tooth: One good move begets another! Once you get out and moving, you’ll probably also want to treat your body well on the inside. Try one of our smoothie recommendations after your walk to keep your health-kick moving.

It will get you outside: We’re right in the heart of winter, which means you are spending more time inside than in other times of year. Getting outside gives you Vitamin D from the sun, and also a nice bit of fresh air! Working out in the gym is good too, but if you can get outside, it will help you feel even more invigorated.

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It promotes heart health: Heart health is hugely important for your vitality, so getting out for a walk can help your health now and in the long run. Plus, February is Heart Health Month, so your walk is actually a celebration!

A little bit goes a long way: You don’t need to have an intense exercise routine to lower your risk of breast cancer. If you haven’t been doing much training yet, just getting up and getting moving will help you look good, feel good and kick start your training for future walks.

It keeps you social: Make a Friend Day is coming up on February 11th, so grab your teammates or other friends and lace up your walking shoes. It’s a great way to pencil in some catch-up time with someone you haven’t seen in a while or start a walking club with a group. Being around friends will always help put a smile on your face!

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It’s a mood booster: Any physical activity, walking included, can help with your overall mood and energy level. Guess that’s why they call it putting some pep in your step!

What other benefits do you get from walking, besides training for an excellent sixty miles, that is!?

REMINDER: The health, safety and training information contained in this blog post, or otherwise provided to you in connection with your participation in the 3-Day, is not intended to replace or be construed as medical advice and any such information is not a substitute for seeking medical advice or treatment from your medical provider. Before starting any exercise program or following any recommendations, advice or other instructions regarding training for the 3-Day or any athletic event, you should first consult a physician and have a physical examination.

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3-Day Walking Hacks

We’ve learned some tricks and shortcuts over the years, which we’re passing along to you to help make your Susan G. Komen 3-Day walking experience even better.

1.  Put your phone in airplane mode when walking. susan g. komen 3-Day breast cancer walks walking hacks airplane mode phone

You can still use the camera or music player, but your battery will last much longer if it’s not constantly searching for a cell/internet signal. (Also, when you go to charge your phone back at camp, keep it off or in airplane mode and it will charge much faster.)

2. If you expect rain, put your phone in a Ziploc bag. susan g. komen 3-Day breast cancer walks walking hacks phone in plastic bagThe touchscreen will still work through the plastic, but it will stay dry.

3. Put a spare pair of socks in a snack size Ziploc and carry it in your fanny pack.susan g. komen 3-Day breast cancer walks walking hacks spare socks plastic bag Change your socks at lunch, then put the dirty ones into the Ziploc to keep them separate from everything else in your pack.

4. Cold morning? Use your spare socks as mittens until you warm up.susan g. komen 3-Day breast cancer walks walking hacks spare socks mittens Then just stick them back in your pack so you can change into them at lunch.

5. Newspaper stuffed into wet shoes will dry them out by morning.Susan G Komen 3 Day Walking Hacks Newspaper in Shoes
6. Small instant ice packs will provide a few minutes of refreshing coolness without the drippiness of a bag of ice.susan g. komen 3-Day breast cancer walks walking hacks ice packs (Though sometimes the drippiness is nice too…)

7. In rain, a binder clip will secure your poncho hood to the bill of your hat to keep it from flying off your head.susan g. komen 3-Day breast cancer walks walking hacks binder clip poncho hat
8. A 1-inch binder clip also makes a terrific make-shift lip balm holder.

susan g. komen 3-Day breast cancer walks walking hacks binder clip lip balm holder You can secure a tube of your favorite SPF lip cover right to your lanyard, so it’s never far when you need it.susan g. komen 3-Day breast cancer walks walking hacks lip balm binder clip

9. Did you know that there are sunscreen towelettes? If you have limited space in your walking pack, these may be a good alternative to a bulky bottle of SPF. Or, see if you can score some samples of sunblock (usually packaged in flat pouches) from a local dermatologist or spa.

10. If you plan to use duct tape for anything (believe or not, this is the go-to blister care method for many walkers), wrap a few feet of it around your water bottle and tear it off as you need it, rather trying to carry a whole roll around with you.susan g. komen 3-Day breast cancer walks walking hacks duct tape on water bottle

 

Got any good 3-Day walking hacks? Let us know in the comments!

Looking for 3-Day Camping Hacks, too? Click here! 

(Thank you to first time San Diego walker Kenzie D. for modeling these hacks!)