From the 12-3-30 to the 3-2-1, numbered walking challenges have become a hallmark of internet fitness trends. The latest iteration? The 6-6-6 challenge.\n<\/p>\n
Challenge instructions vary online<\/a>, but the basic idea is to walk at a brisk pace for 60 consecutive minutes, with a six-minute warmup and cooldown, at either 6 a.m. or 6 p.m., six days a week. Proponents say this routine can improve endurance, heart health, energy, and mood.\n<\/p>\n Walking has been linked to major health benefits\u2014a recent review tied 7,000 daily steps to a lower risk of heart disease, cancer, depressive symptoms, and even death. But I wanted to try the 6-6-6 challenge myself to see if it was actually doable and worth it.<\/p>\n Overall, I found the daily walks enjoyable. They got me out into New York City\u2019s beautiful early autumn weather\u2014sunny and 70s\u2014and, as a relative newcomer, I relished the chance to explore areas of the city I hadn\u2019t seen before. My walks also gave me an opportunity to spend time with a friend or my boyfriend, or to catch up with family over the phone.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n And while I\u2019m definitely not a morning person\u2014and opted to do most of my walks after work, even if it wasn\u2019t exactly 6 p.m.\u2014the few times I did venture out at 6 a.m. actually weren\u2019t so bad, offering sunlight and fresh(ish) air to kickstart the day.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n That said, the 6-6-6 challenge<\/a> was, well, challenging. The walks were physically draining, and it was difficult for me to fit an hour of exercise six days a week into my already busy schedule. Plus, I got pooped on by pigeons\u2014twice. (I wish I were kidding.)\n<\/p>\n In total, I spent 1,440 minutes\u2014or a full 24 hours\u2014walking for this challenge. Here\u2019s what I noticed:\n<\/p>\n Walking Got Easier <\/p>\n The biggest change I saw was in my endurance. I\u2019m a pretty active person, but doing an hour of cardio six days a week was still challenging. After about two weeks, the walks started to feel more effortless\u2014I didn\u2019t get as tired or winded.\n<\/p>\n I Was in a Better Mood <\/p>\n I also noticed that I felt less stressed and anxious. After a long day, getting an hour to clear my mind and enjoy the outdoors made me feel lighter. And in the mornings, taking time before jumping into the hustle of the day had a positive effect, too.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n I Didn\u2019t Feel More Energized <\/p>\n I expected to see a boost in my energy levels<\/a>, since research has linked consistent exercise to improvements in fatigue, energy, and overall vitality. But surprisingly, I didn\u2019t notice any change. I thought morning walks, in particular, would help me wake up and provide more lasting energy throughout the day, but that wasn\u2019t the case.\n<\/p>\n My Sleep Didn\u2019t Improve <\/p>\n