More Than Miles: The Heart Behind the Challenge
I didn’t start this walking challenge because I needed another goal to check off. What I really needed was a way to stay grounded—physically, mentally, and spiritually—as I step into this new season of life.
As Proverbs 31:17 (AMP) says, “She equips herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong.” That verse hits differently at 55. Because this? This is about walking forward with strength on every level.
At 55, walking forward means more than just putting one foot in front of the other. It means moving with intention, embracing where I am now with grace, and growing into the woman God calls me to be.
Walking was automatic when I was in my 30s—a part of my routine that didn’t require much thought or motivation. I scheduled it, stuck to it, and pushed through without question. But now? It’s different. Walking is still necessary, but it doesn’t come easily every day. The focus isn’t on the miles anymore—it’s on the meaning behind each step.
This 55 and Forward Walking Challenge isn’t just about fitness—it’s about faith. It’s about releasing who I was and stepping fully into who I am today, with courage and kindness toward myself.
Walking History in My 30s: The Weight Loss Kickstart
At 35, I started walking to supplement a weight loss plan. I began in September and kept it up through the winter, even though I absolutely hate cold weather. Even saying that I hate cold weather is an understatement, LOL. But something surprising happened—I walked 20 to 25 miles a week, regardless of the chill. I learned to appreciate the cold and God’s purpose for it.
Although I wasn’t crazy about freezing temps, I learned I could handle 25 degrees or less without a problem. I figured out how to dress so I wouldn’t get too hot or cold. What I couldn’t stand was the wind. Twenty-five degrees or less with a wind chill? Not! That was my cutoff. No walking when the wind whipped—because that wasn’t fun.
I didn’t walk through snowstorms, but I was out there when snow was on the ground and the weather was calm. At the time, I had no idea how much those walks benefited my mental health, and in addition, they helped me shed 30 pounds. Weight loss was my motivation then, and it was a powerful one.
Back then, scheduling my walks was important. I planned my week, breaking up those miles: 5 miles here, 7 miles there—ensuring the weather and my schedule lined up. Some of my best walks came early after working a 12-hour night shift. Walking was non-negotiable, and I didn’t need motivation. I just did it.
Midlife Reality: Walking Now at 55
These days? Walking isn’t second nature anymore—it’s a full-on decision I must make on purpose. I don’t wake up raring to go. I think about walking…a lot, but thinking about it and doing it? Two very different things. Let’s be clear: if I actually put on my workout clothes, I’m walking. No question. But most of the time, I sit around in regular clothes, trying to talk myself into moving.
And honestly? Sometimes I feel lazy, and I don’t like how that feels. My inner critic can get loud: “What happened to you?” But that’s where grace steps in. That’s where I remind myself that honoring who I am now is more important than trying to live up to who I was 20 years ago.
And wow—those years flew by.
I had to let go of my 35-year-old self—the one who laced up her shoes and knocked out 25 miles a week without thinking twice. That version of me had drive, routine, and energy to spare. But I’m not her right now, and that’s okay. And trying to hold myself to her standards leads to guilt and frustration. This season requires something else: grace, compassion, and a new strategy.
I aspire to walk now because I understand that movement is essential in this season of life, not a luxury. Word on the street (so to speak) is that sitting is the new smoking, and I believe it. Doctors share the many studies showing that walking helps with mobility, balance, circulation, and mood. It keeps the blood flowing and the brain clear. I may not hit 25 miles a week, but when I walk, I feel better—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Yes, I still want to look good in my clothes and wouldn’t mind shedding a few pounds. But that’s not the primary goal. Walking now is about staying strong, stable, and steady. It’s about stewarding this body with intention. It’s about protecting my peace and honoring the gift God gave me in this season of life.
I Lift Now for My Future Self
I don’t just walk now. I lift heavy. I started barbell training 4 years ago, and I love it.
I push my body in ways I didn’t even consider at 35, because I’ve realized this isn’t just about looking strong—it’s about being strong- for real.
You see, midlife is not the time to coast—it’s the time to build. And I’m not just talking spiritually. I mean physically. At 55, I’m prioritizing something I never really gave much thought to in my younger years—muscle.
I’m not training for summer. I’m training for longevity. I’m lifting for mobility. I lift now at 55 for the 85-year-old me. She matters to me—because if the Lord allows me to see that age, I want to move with power and confidence, not fragility and fear.
Let’s be clear: muscle mass naturally declines as we age. And for women in midlife—especially postmenopausal women—that decline can hit harder and faster if we don’t fight back. Walking is great, yes. But walking alone won’t preserve muscle or protect our bones. That takes resistance. That takes iron. That takes intentional strength training.
The challenges I push through now? They’re an investment. Every rep, every set, every drop of sweat is a deposit into my future strength account. And the old woman I’ll become down the road? She’ll thank me.
And no, it’s not too late. You’re not too old. You’re not behind. But you do have to start now. Because building strength now may mean independence later.
As much as I’m embracing grace and letting go of unrealistic expectations, I also know that sedentary living isn’t an option. Walking may not be the centerpiece of my routine anymore, but it’s still essential. It helps keep my body moving, my joints lubricated, my mind clear, and my spirit connected to God. Grace doesn’t mean being stagnant—it means finding movement that fits where you are right now.
So while my 30s were all about calorie burn and losing weight, my 50s are about muscle gain. I don’t lift to be skinny. I lift to be capable. I lift to be resilient. I lift to be here and whole for the next chapter of my life.
And I walk right alongside that strength—with grace, gratitude, and a whole lot of faith.
Worship in Motion: Same God, Different Season
Walking helped me clear my head in my 30s—and it still does. That was the unexpected benefit I discovered back then. What started as a tool for weight loss turned out to be a lifeline for my mind and spirit.
Even in those earlier years, I’d use my walks to talk to God. I didn’t always call it prayer time, but that’s exactly what it was—those quiet conversations with God as my feet hit the pavement.
Now in my 50s, that connection means even more. Life is noisier now. There’s more on my mind. And when I walk, I don’t just move my body—I exhale the weight of the world and inhale peace. I process. I pray. I get perspective.
Walking has always been a peaceful pocket of time for me. But in this season, I hold it with more reverence. It’s not just about covering miles—it’s about making room. Room to think. Room to breathe. Room to praise God.
📍Pause and think with me:
What was something in your younger years that gave you peace or helped you feel grounded in God’s presence?
Have you picked it back up lately—or did it get buried under the weight of responsibilities, distractions, or doubt?
Maybe, like me, it’s time to return to it. Or perhaps it’s time to discover something new.
Grace and Moving Forward
This chapter of life requires grace, not just for the days when I skip walking but for the whole journey.
Movement is essential—but so is mercy. I may not log 25 miles a week anymore, but I’m still in motion. And I’m doing it with intention.
If you’re in this season, too—midlife, postmenopause, trying to find your rhythm again—I want you to know: you’re not behind. You’re evolving, and that deserves celebration, not shame.
Embrace where you are. Move when you can. Rest when you need to. But whatever you do, keep walking forward—one step at a time—with faith.
Walking Forward With Faith and Intention
My May birthday challenge isn’t about proving anything. It’s about choosing something—life, movement, intention, and faith. It’s my way of honoring the woman I am and the God who’s brought me this far.
But let me be clear—this isn’t just a “May” thing.
This challenge can be for the whole summer or however long you want.
One hour a week, every week. You decide how. You decide when. It could be one long walk on a Saturday morning, or 20-minute faith steps three times a week. There’s no right way—only your way.
🌅 Maybe it’s sunrise or sunset walks with a friend while the air is cooler and the day feels full of possibility.
🛍️ Perhaps it’s a stroll through the mall when it’s just too hot outside, and that air conditioning feels perfect.
Whatever version works for you, do that. This isn’t about pressure. It’s about presence.
And while you’re walking it out, maybe it’s time to think about starting a strength-training routine, too. Building muscle in midlife and beyond is one of the most loving, empowering things you can do for your future self.
💡 If you’re inactive right now, please check with your physician before starting a new walking or strength-training program—your health and safety matter. Start smart, go slow, and be kind to your body—it’s the only one you’ve got.
If you’re standing at your own kind of crossroads—midlife or otherwise—I hope this encourages you to pause and ask: What do I need to move forward? What will support the woman I’m evolving into?
Maybe it’s walking. Perhaps it’s journaling. Maybe it’s lifting heavy things or lifting your hands in prayer. Like me, maybe it’s all of the above. Whatever it is, choose something that brings you back to life and back to yourself.
🌿 Want to walk this out with me?
Join the 55 and Forward Walking Challenge—or start your own version. Set your intention, lace up, and take that first step.
Because we’re not going back. We’re walking forward with strength, grace, and faith.
Remember, life is a faith journey.
