By signing up for a walking challenge, you’ve automatically committed yourself to training and have a goal to work toward. The UCC’s ‘Faithfully Walking Challenge’, part of Michelle Obama’s ‘Three Million Mile Walking Challenge,’ is looking for 2,500 individuals and/or 250 UCC congregations to participate. Are you ready?

Proverbs 27:17 says: “Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens the wits of another.” So what better way to sharpen that iron than to connect with a friend or family member during your daily walking workout? The conversations, jokes, and company will make your walk that much more enjoyable, while you keep your relationships strong.

When you have new walking shoes or new walking clothes, you are the opposite of all dressed up with nowhere to go. Get out and try them out!

In a journal, track your walking minutes, steps, or miles, along with your personal prayers and those passed on to you by your church or friends. Focus on one prayer (or several) before, during, or after your walk. Keep track and come back to these prayers (and miles) at the end of every week to reflect.

Many people find that if they commit to early morning walks, fewer distractions pop up in the afternoon or evening. But if you hate mornings and feel most energetic later in the day, that should be your walking time. To stay motivated, analyze your habits and choose the time that works best for you.

A pedometer has been medically proven to increase your walking activity. But it can also be used to increase and support your Bible reading! At the end of each workout, check the number of steps you took and divide it by 150. Use that number as the number of Bible verses you will read. If you took 6,000 steps (roughly 3 miles), then you will read 40 verses.

Make a playlist of your favorite tunes, music that gets you up and grooving. When it’s time for your workout, grab your music player of choice, stick in the ear buds and get moving.