How To Beat Holiday + Winter Weight Gain

How is it almost October? HOW?!?!?! 

I feel like I blink and it's a new month! It also doesn't help that since back-to-school week, my life has been on a steady routine, cycling day after day. Fall is defiantly upon me. So are the holidays, tailgating, chili-cook offs, cozy nights in with carbs and more carbs. However, if I don't do something to offset my future fatty food fetish, I'll be wearing my fat jeans permanently.

Which means... It's time to kick off the 3rd annual 30/30 Walking challenge! 

Starting October 1, 2016 through October 30, 2016, I challenge you to join me in beating winter and holiday weight gain and a slew of other crappy things. I promise, you're going to love this! 




So what is the 30/30?

I wish I could take credit for the 30/30, but I first learned about it on an episode of, The Doctors. The most popular 30-day weight loss challenges were put to the test. Many failed to show results, while others were too difficult to stick with, but one proved to be the real deal, The 30/30 Walking challenge.

In a nut shell: All you have to do is walk thirty minutes a day, for thirty days. Here's the best part, you can walk at any pace you want, snail slow or train for the race walking Olympic team--if there is one?  You don't have to diet, lift weights or fall on your face in a Zumba class. You can eat what ever you want, though a healthy diet is certainly going to produce better results. 

It's easy, no need to walk fast, at the same time of day, or even all thirty minutes at once. Just add thirty extra minutes of walking to your day. Walk slow, just walk. 





The walking challenge is a totally body, mind and spirt revamp. In 30-days you can lower heart attack risk, lose weight, add years to your life, sleep better and of course, better your overall health and mood.

(New mothers on maternity leave, this challenge is CRUCIAL for you. Your mind, body, mental health, raging hormones and newborn will thank you every step of the way. )




Just think... in two weeks you could be sleeping better, have lower cholesterol losing weight, and be a healthier, happier person.


How could you not want to at least try?




It's important that you find a way to easily incorporate 30-minutes (total) of walking into your day. The goal being to find a way to stick after the 30/30 is over.

Reel in your co-workers, family, friends, neighbors. Create a 30/30 group. If you have a fit-bit, see how many steps you take walking 30-minutes. Make that your goal the first week or do the 10,000 step challenge. The buddy system, is a great way to make this stick! Last year, I did the challenge with a girlfriend after we dropped the littles off at school. We still walk together in the mornings.

Here are a few ideas to help easily blend the 30/30 challenge into your day:

  1. If you take public transportation to work leave 15 minutes early and walk to the next stop or station. (I know, for those non-morning people this is a stupid suggestion)
  2. At lunch, walk 15 minutes away from your desk, eat, then walk back--maybe even the long way back.
  3. On the weekends, go explore a new (historic) town or nature trail with the family.
  4. Take the stairs all month, maybe even go up a few extra flights then come back down.
  5. Only need a couple things from the store? If one is close enough, walk there!
  6. On rainy days, clean or organize a closet for 30 minutes, better yet, go to an indoor mall for some retail therapy.
  7. Park in the furthest spot from the door 
  8. For a week straight, walk out of your front door and take a different street or path and see what you find.
  9. Download an awesome mystery ebook to listen to while you walk. TIP: Only let yourself listen to the book when walking, this might get those walks stretched out well past 30 minutes.

Once you commit to the 30/30 Challenge, tell as many people as you can that you are doing this to add accountability. Get a support group to help encourage and hold you accountable.

It's just 30 minutes for thirty days.  It's not hard or an on going commitment.  This is a challenge that you know you can do. The best part is that October first is a Saturday this year. This gives you a two day start without work/school complications.

     YOU CAN DO THIS!



Join me on the 30/30 and follow me on your favorite social media channel.

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April is an award-winning writer and blogger. Her work has been published in over ten countries and four languages. From books to newspapers, to print/online magazines and everything in between, you can find her work. For more on April, Visit AprilMcCormick.com