There are benefits to walking by alone. Some people prefer the moments of solitude to process thoughts and relax after a stressful day. Others prefer the camaraderie and companionship that comes with walking with others. Having a walking buddy, or group of buddies, can help you stick with weight loss and fitness goals. Starting a walking group not only provides you with weight loss support, friendship and socialization, but also provides you with safety, accountability, and most importantly motivation.

Here are a few tips to help you start a walking group right here in Beverly Hills:

1. Recruit members. To start a walking group, simply spread the word to family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. You’ll be surprised by the number of people who want to join in on the opportunity to socialize, increase their fitness level, and lose weight.
2. Organize your walking group. It’s a good idea to hold a kick-off meeting. Here, you can not only exchange contact information, but you can discuss how the group will work. For instance, you’ll want to talk about how often you’ll walk, where you’ll walk, and for how long. You’ll also want to discuss what you’ll do in case of inclement weather. Will you meet indoors, reschedule, or bring umbrellas?
3. Maintain your commitment! You’ll probably see a lot of enthusiasm from members when you first start your walking group, but that enthusiasm can dwindle and members can fall off once the walking becomes routine. Look for ways to boost motivation once the walking group is underway. Do this by building loyalty to the group. Some ideas include having a contest to choose a walking group name, designing a logo, setting goals to increase time and intensity, or even entering into a charity event. All of these things will be helpful in maintaining participation in the walking group so that you and your members will achieve weight loss and together lead healthier lives.