Three big reasons why you should walk a mile every day

Are the kids having more fun than you?

If you’re not following their lead and walking the Daily Mile, then I would argue that the kids probably are ahead of you when it comes to having fun.

The introduction of the Daily Mile into the daily schedule of schools around the world has established a much-needed element of fun and movement into the lives of hundreds of thousands of pupils. This is providing a fantastic range of health benefits such as increased fitness levels and reduction in obesity.

The idea is simple, just walk (or run) a mile every day. I believe it is that simplicity that is leading to its huge impact. Indeed, there are now examples of workplaces and universities that are setting up their own adult versions of the Daily Mile.

The purpose of this article is to encourage readers to adopt their own challenge based on the Daily Mile. If walking a mile every day would lead to you taking more exercise than you do right now, then it is highly likely that the extra exercise will provide you with some level of health benefits.

I will now describe what I think are the three big reasons why you should walk a mile every day.

Firstly, by saying that you’re going to walk a mile every day you are setting yourself a challenge, and if you feel challenged you are far more likely to generate the determination to succeed. That feeling of challenge should lead to you gaining the motivation to keep going and not give up after the first few days. So, reason number 1 is to set yourself a challenge and be determined to rise to meet it.

Secondly, by walking a mile every day you will form a habit of going out for a walk on the most ordinary of days and build exercise into your daily routine. It’s relatively easy to go out and walk when the sun is shining and you’re not working, but creating that habit of taking a walk on what I call the bread ‘n’ butter days is a great way of ensuring that you find time for exercise when the weather is far from perfect and you’re busy with 101 other things. Reason number 2, therefore, is to form a habit.

Finally, the reason for setting an exercise challenge and forming a new habit is to create a situation where you are taking more exercise than you currently take. However much exercise you currently take, even a small increase in your level of activity could provide you with benefits to your health and happiness. Reason number 3, the really important one, is to take more exercise and enjoy the health benefits.

I believe passionately in the benefits of regular exercise and want to inspire others to find a challenge that will motivate them to start building daily exercise into their lives. I hope this article will provide you with the inspiration to take up the challenge and get outdoors for a daily walk.

Best wishes in your quest to take more exercise and please send me your feedback or questions via my social media channels.

The three reasons discussed above are based on the Ten Principles that appear in the concluding chapter of my book, Find Time for Exercise.