Get WalkIN'
May 29, 2026
Goal Check In
How are you doing with your goals?
Are your walks getting longer and / or more frequent? Are you walking at a faster pace? Are you finding walking easier to do? If you can’t answer yes to any of the questions above, please email walk@purdue.edu to get some feedback to your challenges.Set daily goals. You might find it’s easier to stay in the moment if you have specific daily goals instead of just relying on a long-term goal to walk more.
You need it DAILY. Remember, you were designed for daily exercise, and walking is a perfect way to accomplish this. If one longer walk doesn’t work for you, two or three short 10-minute walks throughout the day are just fine.
Track your progress. Tracking your progress is important because it lets you see how you’re progressing toward your previously set goals. If you’re on pace, you probably won’t have to make many changes to your routine except to steadily increase your walks in frequency, duration, and / or intensity. If you’re not making any progress, it may be time to re-evaluate your program and see where you can make changes to get you back on track.
Consider a journal. After each walk, record: 1) the date, 2) how long you walked, and 3) how you felt during and after the walk. Keeping a journal of your improvement can be a great source of motivation.
Find your WHY to Stay Motivated
It’s much easier to stay motivated when you know why you’re doing something. Ask yourself what your reason is for wanting to accomplish this goal. Maybe it’s to feel better physically, advance in your career, or learn a new skill.
Whatever it is, connecting with your “why” gives you a deeper sense of purpose and helps you stay focused when things get tough. When you’re struggling to find motivation, reminding yourself of the reason behind your actions can make all the difference.
If you’re struggling to think of a reason, seek inspiration from books, podcasts, or people who align with your goals and aspirations. Finding out why other people do the amazing things they do may spur you into wanting to do the same. Write down your top reasons, and keep this note somewhere you can see it regularly—like on your phone or near your workspace—to keep yourself inspired.
Focus on Progress, not Perfection
One of the biggest motivation killers is the pressure to be perfect. When you expect everything to go just right, it’s easy to get discouraged if they don’t go as planned — which they so often don’t. Instead of aiming for perfection, focus on making progress. Even small steps forward are better than standing still.
Remember that everyone makes mistakes or faces setbacks. What matters is progress. So don’t be too hard on yourself when things don’t go exactly as expected.
What are the Reasons for my Lack of Motivation?
There are several reasons why you might be feeling unmotivated, and remember that it’s okay—and normal—to feel this way sometimes. But, getting curious about the underlying reasons for your slump can help you take small steps toward regaining your motivation.
Life can be overwhelming, and when we have too many responsibilities or worries on our mind, it’s hard to focus. Stress, anxiety, or feeling burned out from work or personal commitments can all contribute to low motivation.
Low motivation can also happen when the tasks you face feel too big or unclear. If you’re unsure where to start, your brain can shut down and avoid the task altogether. Sometimes, our lack of motivation comes from not having set clear goals. Without knowing what you want or why you want it, it can be difficult to keep going.
When we’re tired, not getting enough sleep, or not taking care of our health, our energy levels drop, and our motivation does, too.
Next Topic: Relapse Prevention
Walking Safety
- Always walk facing oncoming traffic.
- Use the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, look for a smooth, stable surface alongside the road. If there are guardrails, see if there is a smooth, flat surface behind the barrier where you can walk. If you need to walk on a paved shoulder, stay as far away from traffic as possible.
- Be careful on bridges and narrow shoulders of the road.
- Be sure drivers can see you. Wear brightly colored clothing, and if you walk during low-light hours, such as dawn or dusk, be sure you have reflective material on your clothing or walking shoes, and carry a flashlight.
Marshall County Resources
Upcoming Walking Events- Marshall County
Saturday, June 6, 2026
Kiwanis - Plymouth, Indiana is hosting their annual Kids Triathalon in Centennial Park! Here is the link with more information on the event and how to register your kiddos:
https://app.givegrove.com/kids2026
Color Run
To find more information and register visit:
https://runsignup.com/Race/IN/Culver/CulverCommunitySchoolsBoosterClubColorRun
Choose between a fun 1 mile walk/run or a 5k. The 1 mile route will run around the Culver Schools Corporation and the 5k route will run through downtown Culver. The race will start at the front of Culver Community High School, Door 32. Both routes will finish on the Culver Middle/High School football field. This will be a fun run with several color stations manned by our athletes ready to toss color powder on you as you pass by! Registration includes a white race t-shirt and neon sunglasses to wear to show off your colors! Join us for the after party on the football field!
Plymouth Parks Department- May Free Activities
Group Walking-Saturdays
Saturdays at 9:00 AM
Centennial Park (meet under the canopy near the tennis courts)
Step away from the noise… and into a peaceful, intentional start to your morning.
This guided Meditation Walk is an opportunity to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with yourself and the natural world around you. Together, we’ll move with awareness, presence, and ease in a calm, supportive space.
What to Expect:
• A mindful 3–5 mile walk
• Gentle guidance to help you stay present
• A welcoming, judgment-free environment
Details:
• Ages 12+
• No pets, please
• Bring water + dress comfortably
->After the walk, you’re invited to stay for an optional tea + coffee gathering, an opportunity to connect and continue the experience.
This event is FREE, we’d love to have you join us.
Come as you are. Leave feeling grounded, clear, and connected
Registration: https://www.facebook.com/events/1609741823662062/1609741910328720/
Potawatomi Wildlife Park
Save the Date!
Kosciusko County Resouces
Download the digital guides to water and greenspaces, including trails you can walk in Kosc. Co! Check these out as you get started. https://visitkosciuskocounty.org/digital-guides/
Places to Experience in the Fall in Kosc. Co!
Nothing beats a warm cup of apple cider, a crisp fall breeze, colorful leaves falling, and a comfy fall sweater. The beauty of fall offers the perfect excuse to take a weekend trip to hike amidst the bright autumn colors, go to a fall festival filled with hayrides and pumpkins, or relax near lake waters with a hot drink. With over 100 lakes, 11 nature sites, and a variety of fall activities, Northern Indiana’s Kosciusko County is the perfect fall destination.
Check out these Fall Hiking Locations:
https://visitkosciuskocounty.org/blog/places-to-experience-fall-in-indiana/
Upcoming Events- Kosciusko County
Mentone Egg Festival - Thursday through Saturday
Bust out the confetti and dust off your party hat! The theme of this year's Egg Festival is The 80th Birthday of the Big Egg! Celebrate with vendors, live music, a car show, and so much more!
North Webster Music in the Park, Roustabout - Town Park - Friday, 7PM
Enjoy music in North Webster's Town Park every Friday at 7 PM through Labor Day. This week features Roustabout, a 5-piece from Huntington playing everything from classic country standards to modern bluegrass, indie rock, folk, and original tunes.
Warsaw Summer Concert Series, Beez and the Rocker - Lucerne Park - Friday, 7PM
The Summer Concert Series takes place every Friday at 7PM in one of Warsaw's parks. This week, check out local band Beez and the Rocker!
Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department's Kids Fishing Derby - Bixler Park - Saturday, 8AM - 11AM
Ages 3 - 16 are welcome to participate in the free Kids Fishing Derby at Bixler Park in Warsaw! Bring your own fishing pole and bait. Prizes will be awarded for the largest fish and more!
Lake City Skiers Show - Hidden Lake - Sunday, 6:30PM
The Lake City Skiers, Indiana's only competitive water ski show team, begin their 2026 season this Sunday! Enjoy their free shows every Tuesday and Sunday all summer long at Hidden Lake in Warsaw. Shows start at 6:30PM and this year's theme is Marvel Superheroes
Find more events taking place this weekend on our website!
https://visitkosciuskocounty.org/events/
Kosciusko County Freedom Fest
Kosciusko County Freedom Fest will celebrate America's 250th birthday in Warsaw on June 5,6,7 2026 at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds at 1400 East Smith Street, Warsaw, right on Winona Lake.
Join the Stars, Stripes & Steps Challenge or join the Freedom 5K! Information below or visit their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580110891106
Winona Lake Trail Fest- SAVE THE DATE
Dates: September 25-27, 2026
Combining the fun of some of our favorite season ending events, this weekend is for the whole community with trail runs, a 6 & 12 hour MTB race, kid’s MTB clinics, Kid’s Night Ride and more If you don’t want to race, ride, or run, that’s ok! Come for great merchandise, kids bike events, live music, and food trucks. All events raise awareness and money for our community to be active in the outdoors at the Hauth Trailhead Expansion and the future Winona Lake Bike Park. You won’t want to miss this great weekend!
Races will be scored and have prizes, but our goal is to have fun and not take things too seriously. This is a fun community fundraising event, thus scoring will not be done professionally, and may require participant involvement and a level of honor code/trust.
There are many more featured events here! Check out the schedule https://kcvcycling.org/initiatives/winona-lake-trails/events/winona-lake-trail-fest/
Kosc. Government Employees ONLY
Individually Tracking Steps
To submit your steps weekly please use the Google Form link below!
https://forms.gle/AQ6PyziG6jWtiWy97
or
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScMsw7ee_kQjkatpnaMkBduGnoDpgSvrWE6aEs2Yi5y0tMnmA/viewform
Input a total of steps for the entire week. You will use the same link each week but please only submit steps for the previous 1 week of steps.
**If the link is not working try copying and pasting it into the browser directly. It looks like Kosc. firewall may be blocking the link from this page***
****THIS IS THE FINAL WEEK FOR TRACKING AND GET WALKIN' FOR KOSC. CO.****
Contact Us
Karen Richey
Email: krichey@purdue.edu
Website: extension.purdue.edu/Marshall
Location: 112 W Jefferson St, Plymouth, IN, USA
Phone: 574-935-8545
Facebook: facebook.com/marshallHHS
Purdue University is an Equal Access / Equal Opportunity Employer.