The Five Ws of Women Walking, Part I
Updated September 15, 2023
The Five Ws (who, what, when, where, why) are frequently used as a formula for information gathering, problem solving, or getting the complete story on a topic. In this 3-part blog series, I’ll be sharing the five Ws of women walking, but I’m beginning at the end: WHY. I’m starting with WHY because, as you’ll see, it’s the logical place to start and because WHY very neatly encompasses WHEN and WHERE when it comes to women walking.
So, WHY walk? A great question with a wonderfully layered answer.
First, because walking quite elegantly solves the problem that most of us women have with getting daily exercise: we want to exercise but we don’t make the time.
DYK 80% of women aren’t getting enough exercise for optimal health?
Instead of trying to squeeze a yoga class or gym visit into your already overwhelmingly busy schedule, you can take a 25-minute walk WHEN and WHERE you already are: over your lunch break at work, when you’re waiting for your kids at their piano lesson or football practice, or at the end of the day. And here’s a powerful bonus for 9-5ers, fempreneurs and women business owners: take mini-walking breaks throughout the day!
Walking fits your life vs you fitting a workout into your life.
Second, because walking solves the problems women have with the health and wellness industry:
Despite all the workouts in the world, our health and wellness needs are not being met.
We feel underrepresented and underserved in the health and wellness industry.
Much of the messaging in the health and wellness industry is inherently shaming and blaming for us and makes us feel self-conscious and ashamed.
We want accountability and support without competition.
Walking is all-inclusive, non-competitive, no-gym-membership required.
Third, because walking creates whole Self health for women. That capital S is no mistake. It stands for your whole Self--your body, mind, and spirit. What we do to create health must nurture our whole Self to be sustainable, otherwise it will just become yet another item on our endless TO DO list--something we must do vs love to do. Here’s what walking does to create the love:
For your BODY: Walking treats or prevents over 100 diseases including heart disease the #1 killer of women and walking is the #1 doctor prescribed exercise. This alone is WHY--walking is an “entry level” activity that can’t be matched for effectiveness, efficiency, ease, doability, cost or time commitment. It’s what you need to get the exercise you want on a daily basis so you can live the happy, healthy life you deserve.
For your MIND: Walking boosts self-esteem, is a natural anti-depressant, and increases creativity by 60%. Women battle low self-esteem, depression and anxiety for a variety of reasons. Walking effectively combats these issues and creates a time and space for a mental break. Caring for your mental health in a meaningful way is as important as caring for your body. Walking does it all--it’s your multi-tasking miracle--part workout, part timeout, part moving mediation (see below).
For your SPIRIT: Walking is spiritual renewal. We ignore our spiritual health at our own peril. As women we possess unique knowings and intuitions that get snuffed out in our overwhelmingly busy lives. The simple act of walking opens those inner doors and helps you to feel connected and whole—tapping into your innate wisdom, wisdom that this world desperately needs. Historically speaking, walking is a spiritual practice. From the pilgrimages to walking the labyrinth to taking a break from work, walking is a moving meditation, a much needed method of renewing your spirit so you are living from a place of true wholeness.
Summary: Why Walk?
Walking fits your life vs you fitting a workout into your life.
Walking solves your problems with the health and wellness industry.
Walking creates whole Self health. Your body, mind, and spirit benefit from walking in amazing, transformational ways.
Walking works wonders for women.
It’s been said, “You can handle any HOW with a big enough WHY.” (That’s WHY I started this series with WHY). Next week I’ll cover WHO walking is for. In the meantime, sign up for the 1MWW newsletter, This Beautiful Walk, for inspiration, a-ha’s and empowerment.
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