​Let’s talk about safety and equipment. Make sure you have a good pair of walking shoes (my favorites are Merrell) and a waterproof rain jacket and umbrella if you like to walk in the rain. Women especially need to consider safety. If you can, walk with a friend and always walk in good lighting. But I understand if that’s not possible – I’m a solo walker myself. When I go for solo walks in the woods, I take a waist pack with a water bottle holder and keep pepper spray handy. And if you are hiking some treacherous paths or sizeable hills, hiking poles can keep you steady. Finally, if weight loss is one of your goals, you might get in shape a bit faster by using a weighted vest.

But what’s your most important equipment? Determination. If you’d like to increase your chances of success – set a schedule. Try to walk around the same time every day. And yes, you can walk longer than 30 minutes, split your time into separate walks, and even walk twice a day if you like. One more thing: Make sure you have an indoor backup plan in case the weather forces you inside – check out free walking videos on YouTube.

​Did you know there are different types of walking? There’s power walking, chi walking, nordic walking, pedometer walking, and interval walking, to name a few. Our goal is to walk 30 minutes each day and while you can walk at your own pace, I’ll throw in some different types of walks every now and then to keep you on your toes. One day you might go out for a brisk walk, and the next day will be a slow-paced meditative walk that encourages you to use all your senses.

​In addition to a daily walking activities and encouragement, the Challenge highlights some of the greatest hikes in the world. Each day will introduce a new and exciting walking trail. Learn about hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, the Appalachian Trail, the magical Inca trail in Peru, the Cinque Terre National Park trails in Italy, and the trails leading to the ancient city of Petra in Jordan.

​I hope you stick around for the entire 30 days, but sometimes “life happens.” You can opt out of the Walking Challenge any time you like – every email includes an ‘Unsubscribe’ link.

​The Walking Challenge for 2019 is closed. We plan to rerun the challenge in 2020. You can take the Challenge on your own time by purchasing the  Kindle version​.