If you follow my stories over on Instagram then you will know that every day I go out to collect some morning and evening miles. So I thought it would be a good idea to share with you a little bit about them.
When I started working from home I realised that my step count dropped dramatically and as such, my waistline increased. I also found that I could go days without getting outside. This is not a good thing at all. Because of this, Jit and I started to come up with ideas to help get me outside more often and that was where the ‘reverse commute’ came about.
The reverse commute
Firstly, I’ll share what the reverse commute means. Well, we get up nice and early and get everything ready for the day. Think packed lunches, breakfast etc. Then we walk to town. Kind of like we were walking to work in the city centre, only I drop Jit off at the tram stop and I make my way home on the bus. I’ll then repeat the process but in reverse. So I take the bus into town in the evening and we walk home.
It is an easy and enjoyable way to clock up around 20,000 steps or around 10 miles a day. And it doesn’t eat into my work day either, which is an added bonus.
The idea kind of evolved to become morning and evening miles as we started to do it whenever and wherever we were. For example, we were staying at my parents’ house for a few days after our trip to Poland and did some morning and evening miles around the village to get our steps in. So a reverse commute in this sense didn’t quite work. Well, I didn’t fancy doing work while we were on holiday, anyway.
Morning and evening miles
The idea of morning miles is to get some mileage at the start and end of the day. If you’re likely to have a rather sedentary day (think desk day) then it is the best way to get some exercise, fresh air and change into your day. Plus, it is free. We like to get up early so that we make the most of our day and we can also grab a coffee in town because we have time to spare. In the evening, it is a great way to shake off the day so that you come home fresh with a clear break from the work day. Even for me working at home, I find this to be useful.
You don’t have to head out for a high mileage either. Whatever works for you. One thing I will recommend though is to keep up the pace. Especially if you’re looking to lose a few pounds. A stroll just won’t cut it!
There’s more to it
When I think of my morning and evening miles or the reverse commute, I realise that there is much more to it than simply walking too. For me it is the best way to start the day and end it too. Fresh air, getting active in the outdoors (no matter what the weather) and simply enjoying where you live. I have spotted some of the most amazing sun rises and sets. I have watched buildings grow from mere foundations into people’s homes. I have learned about my community and made a lot of friends on my morning and evening miles. People I would never have met had I been taking the bus or driving. Seriously, there is no mood booster than sharing a smile and a hello with a familiar face while walking.
Our morning and evening miles have encouraged people in our local area to get walking more too. We get comments from those we meet sharing that they get off a stop early or walk into town now. It is a joy to hear and makes the morning and evening miles more important as they are not just for us.
There’s always time for walking when you make the time
Initially, I thought that I didn’t have the time to get outside walking every day, let alone twice a day! But that was before I realised that I needed to make the time if I wanted to do it. And I really did! So for the sake of getting up an hour early and coming home that little bit later, I feel better, have lost the weight that I put on from not getting out and about and feel miles better for it too. Not only for the fact that I now know more people in my area too.
So my challenge to you, especially if you’re thinking that you don’t have the time to do morning and evening miles, is to make the time for it. Make the determined choice to get some #mymiles in every day. There is no competition for how many you do, where you do them or whether you do them alone or with someone. It is just about getting out there and enjoying where you are on foot. I know you’ll thank yourself for doing it!
And if you need that little bit of encouragement, why not join in with my Weekly Photowalk Challenge. To get you exploring where you are, looking with a fresh eye all while enjoying your walk. And you can share it on social media too and I’ll be pulling them together to share too. (for that added incentive to get outside and snapping!)
So what do you say? Give me a YES! in the comments when you’re ready to get out for some morning and evening miles! And if you fancy sharing on social media, add the tag #mymorningmiles or #myeveningmiles so we can find each other!
Here’s to morning and evening miles, getting us outside and exploring where we are.
