Walking has amazing qualities and one of them is that it helps the brain to stop and catch its breath, it refreshes the body, and brings the feet down to earth. Therefore, when I stumbled upon the subject of the 6-6-6 walking challenge, I made a decision to give it a go. It’s about as straightforward as it can get, and yet – you are asked to walk for 60 minutes every day, ride either early at 6 a.m. or late at 6 p.m., and allow yourself 6 minutes of warming up and cooling down at an easy pace.
It is not only the movement that is the real deal here — it is also beginning and ending the day in the best way possible. That is similar to giving yourself an opportunity to be consistent, to have a routine, and to start the day right (or end it on a strong note). I was a little wondering what would it do for my mood, body, and step count, beyond that I expected.
What Is the 6-6-6 Walking Challenge?
For one thing, the 6-6-6 walking challenge is a way to help you stay on course and less about perfection. You agree to a fifty-minute-long power walking session, either in the early morning or in the evening, with six minutes at each of the easy paces providing a break. The warmth of this activity makes sure your muscles are flexible and also minimizing your chances of getting an injury. If you feel tired or you just have a slow pace, that would be enough — only the duration is important, but you must go on walking during the entire hour.
You can use a treadmill or walk around your neighborhood, park, or shopping mall indoors, too. The most important thing is to be there for this challenge every day no matter what.
Why I Gave This Walking Challenge a Shot
As one who is taking care of children, a writer, and one who always has lots of tabs open in the memory of the computer, I am continually in the search of those fitness programs which are easy to follow, yet, generate sufficient results. The walking part on a regular basis is already a part of my day, but the whole program was not scheduled. Hence, the point of this challenge was greatly appreciated by me — walk at a regular time, do it for an hour, no rush. It was not difficult at all, especially because it did not require me to go to the gym, or prepare for a long session.
Most days, I regularly went for 6 a.m. walks as it’s during the morning that I always get my best time without any distractions. I would set my clothes out the night before, put the watch near, grab a fast coffee, and walk the street with my dog.
What the Walking Streak Looked Like in the First 7 Days
In the early days, the routine hooked me more than expected. When the majority of the population just woke up, I was already at 5,000 steps and my mind was already clear. I wasn’t in a hurry, I hadn’t checked my inbox yet — it was only me, my sneakers, and silence.
During the middle of the week, I had no choice but to take a night walk. And to tell you the truth, it wasn’t a piece of cake. After a long day of tasks, family duties, and baby care from afar, the decision of walking an hour away would require me to have more determination. But that’s when I discovered that the challenge goes beyond just that. It’s more about being flexible — not striving for perfection.
I started listening to audio books and podcasts to make the time pass. On some days, I was alone with only the stroller accompanying me, while on others, my kid was there too and was given goodies for staying amused. As long as I was walking, no matter the situation, I knew it was my tradition and I actually started to like it.
My Observation after One Week
The changes were frankly not very big by the end of a week, but they were significant. I was less sleepy than usual in the mornings. I certainly was much more concentrated at work. My steps were more on purpose, my hips looser, and my legs sturdier. I did not lack energy, nor did I have a pain that is normally associated with high-intensity workouts, but I was quite energized and refreshed anyhow.
Another thing was the change in mood. Rather than having my coffee and scrolling through my phone to start the day, I was walking along the quiet sidewalks or under trees. I could feel that mental clarity palpable in me even after the walk was over. Also, I had unexpected good sleep which for me was a big bonus.
What Are The Reasons Behind The Efficiency Of This Challenge?
The simplicity of this challenge is the reason why it works so well. There are no timers, no jumping jacks, no pace to be kept. However, walking continuously for an hour during 60 minutes is the most effective way to gain endurance, improve the condition of your lower body, ensure heart health, and enhance your mental clarity. Also, when you add a warm-up and a cool down, you are taking care of your joints, lowering the risk of the injury, and doing just what your body craves.
It doesn’t matter if your aim is to lose some kilograms, not get lazy, calm your nerves, or be simply more active during the day, the walking challenge offered here is the best way to go as it caters to your needs easily without requiring you to plan out the day.
The 6-6-6 walking challenge showed me that the workout that fits into your life is often the most effective one. You don’t need to have high-tech gear, detailed programs, or a number of hours to invest in the gym. Just a clean hour or so, a suitable path, and above all, regularity.
Is there a need to walk faster, breathe more slowly, make a plan and then execute it? If you are in a position to walk, can you stand still? Possibly, you are feeling tired, are afraid or are angry, but by doing so, you will get the opportunity to go so be ready at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., and keep walking.
