The Cutline Crew Hits Our Stride!
Did you know walking has both physical and mental health benefits? From improving your mood to boosting your immune system, hitting the streets, trails and even treadmills can make a big difference in your overall well-being. So when we spotted the TODAY Show’s walking challenge, our Cutline team was inspired to keep pace!
For our own month-long walking challenge, each Cutliner who participated set their own goals—whether it was hitting a certain number of steps or simply committing to walking a few days a week. To stay motivated, there was a weekly gift card raffle for everyone who met their goals, and because we love supporting a good cause, we picked two organizations at the end of the challenge to make a donation to: Higher Ground, a nonprofit providing recreational therapy to veterans and people with disabilities, and Good Sports, a nonprofit that supports children in high-needs communities with access to sports and physical activity.
We asked some of the Cutliners who hit their stride to share their takeaways from their weeks of walking. Here’s what they said:
A little self-love
“My favorite part was being able to sit with my own thoughts and reflect on everything I experienced over the last 24 hours. Being able to walk through nature, take deep breaths, and listen to calming music helped me learn how to enjoy my own company a little bit more.” —Maria
Going beyond fitness goals
“If I’m working from home, I already like to walk around my neighborhood at least one to two times per day. Initiate a walking challenge at work? You know I’m in! The challenge was fun because it motivated me, even more, to get outside and meet my goal of either walking 10,000 steps a day or closing my Apple watch fitness rings. Exercise and movement are so important for the body, mind, and soul. And a good podcast will make the time fly by so fast you won’t even know how far you’ve walked!” —Carrie
Finding family time
“I was so inspired by our team’s walking challenge! For me, getting a walk in before I start the day was the most important thing—otherwise, I let myself get glued to my desk. I challenged myself to walk my daughter to her daycare as many weekdays as possible. On the way there, my daughter would chatter and point out all the things she saw. On the way home, I would listen to a podcast or talk with a colleague; and on other days, I’d just enjoy the silence. Though I didn’t meet my goal every week, I developed a new appreciation for walking that I have continued to incorporate into my life.” —Esther
Getting an energy boost
“Stepping away from the screen to get moving has become one of the best ways for me to get an energy boost. Not only do my eyes and brain get a break, but walking reinvigorates me enough that I feel really good when I get back to my desk. I’ve found that just 20-30 minutes of movement is all it really takes for a great refresh when I start to feel groggy or overwhelmed; a much better solution than reaching for a snack or pouring an extra cup of coffee. An added bonus, switching up my scenery has also helped spark new ideas!” —Krista
Becoming a morning person
“Not only was the walking challenge extremely beneficial for both my mental and physical health, but it taught me so much about persistence and that I can, in fact, stick to goals I’ve set! I’m extremely proud that I met my stretch goal every single day of the challenge—even when I had to navigate scheduling walks around eight-hour road trips. In order to hit my daily goal, I needed to take walks before and after work. I was never a morning person, but the walking challenge not only helped me wake up earlier but also changed my outlook on mornings in general. I now have intentional time for myself each day, before all the hustle and bustle. I take my coffee to-go, listen to a podcast, and stroll along the water. The habit has stuck and I think I’m now (almost) completely a morning person!” —Sophia