Group Walking — Why Peer Pressure Can Be Good for You

By Susie Pontefract

Top photo: Group of walkers training for Portland Marathon. Bottom photo: Stretching seminar after the group walk.

If you haven't heard, it's a new year, and every magazine, TV program, billboard, and newspaper is chock full of advice on how to throw out the bad habits and start the good ones. Well, let's face it, if it were easy, I wouldn't be writing this article right now, because we'd all be perfect.

Truth is, breaking a bad habit is hard, and starting a good habit can be even harder. Good habits usually require more effort than the bad ones. Even worse, the effects of a good habit usually take a while to show themselves, while bad habits usually pay off immediately.

So what's a poor soul, who knows that exercise is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle, to do? Well, since peer pressure got me to sneak behind my school to smoke my first cigarette with all the “cool kids,” then I figured it could do the same to get me out walking. I joined a group.

Luckily, our area offers quite a selection of walking groups, but how does one find them? Usually, a quick Google search will bring up several pages of options. Also, local running stores, that have by default become our local walking stores, have group event postings. And of course, this magazine has a great list of programs and events on the event page.

You'll soon find there are so many groups, and so little time — how do you choose? The best way is to call the organizer and ask a few questions:
1. Does the program fit your schedule?
2. Does the program's goal fit yours; i.e., do you dream of completing a marathon, trying to lose “baby” weight, wanting to meet new people, etc?
3. Does the program fit your budget?
4. Do you like the organizer? Programs tend to take on the personality of the organizer. If you and he/she click, then you'll most likely click with the participants.

Finally, the day will come to start the program. The first day is usually the most difficult to attend — you're starting a new habit. By attending the first day, you've conquered the biggest hurdle on your way to your new walking habit. While you're there, make a few friends and let the peer pressure kick in. By making yourself accountable to others, you increase your chance of success tenfold.

Walking groups are a great motivator. Not only will you begin a great new habit; you begin making great new friends as well. Groups also give you the opportunity to learn tips and tricks from others and encourage you to try new things: Perhaps you and your new friends might want to train for the marathon together — something you never would have considered on your own.

Good luck! And be sure to stay away from those “cool kids” behind the school.

Susie Pontefract and her husband John are the organizers of Portland and Vancouver Fit, a local marathon training program for runners and walkers. For more information on their program, visit www.portlandfit.com.