creating the enthusiasm

exercising EVERY day, is important. especially if you are after weight loss.
then once the weight starts coming off, you need to start challenging yourself even more beyond walking, but you WILL feel like doing that because your energy levels will increase accordingly, especially with the good food you are also introducing your body to (of course you are! right? :D )
it doesn't matter where you live, who you are,  or what your fitness levels are - anyone, EVERYONE can walk.

walking (or running) for 30 minutes straight though, isn't something most of us would look forward to doing on a regular basis... (and remember, that IS only a minimum that should be done every single day - it wont take long however before walking (or any exercise) simply becomes an everyday habit and you find yourself increasing both the time and the distance -)

in the meantime, simply make sure you 'interest' it up, and you haven't a chance of being bored ...

be creative

make it different, change routes every day, make it scenic - we really are spoiled with choice here.
in the whitsundays we are fortunate to have the foreshore to walk along from airlie all the way to cannonvale - plus we have parks, paths, trails and even your very own sidewalks around where you live, all perfect sites for a 10 minute, 15 minute, or 30 minute walk.
fresh air, (if youve ran in sydney you will understand that one!) aquamarine waters (ok, some of the time :P) turtles to look out for, jumping fish, boats, ladies with errant dogs, speeding cars, toads, spiders, snakes, goannas, cyclones, tsunamis - we have it all! ok. i made that last one up.
rainforests - so many trails to choose from also, lose yourself in one of them! (well not literally, cos then we - the ses - have to come save you and you take our sleep away from us!) - if you aren't familiar with what we have available, ask away, i know close to all pretty much step for step and love talking about them all!

... the more scenic your walks are, the more you'll want to take them ... grass and dirt paths are flat and reduce shock and stress on your feet... if you want a little extra challenge, do find those trails and add in the hills, or walk for an hour instead of just 30 minutes. extra extra challenge, head to highway to hell and walk up that!! :D good for the heart!

on rainy days, if you don't feel particularly like getting wet - or  those yukky extra muggy days and can only workout during the day, the treadmill at the fitness venue (best gym in the whitsundays!)  is an option - make sure you set the incline to at least 1 to create an equivalent to outdoor walking - higher if you like and make it like hills :D the tvs can be a distraction for those so inclined :)

even, centro can even be converted into an indoor track. walk up and down for a good 30 minutes at a moderate speed, not picnic day speed ... see someone you know? just tell them you forgot something the other end and keep walking, don't get distracted into conversation!...
the air conditioning can be an excellent motivator for using both those options for a 'change' too.

(for those that read this and aren't fortunate enough to live in the whitsundays, your bad luck eh :P~ !?!! move here, improve our local economy! it's a beautiful place and you miss out on much, haha!  seriously though, all the same rules apply, find different roads, trails, routes, etc, to keep yourself enthused constantly - make discoveries, wherever you live)

make it social

grab someone to walk with, it will increase motivation and provide distraction. as andrew pointed out in his less serious post a few days ago, it gives you someone different to talk to outside your family ... (thought you can also too, walk with family, the kids , your spouse, etc!) it can, occasionally help you challenge yourself by keeping up with each other. make this the exception though and not the rule! learn to enjoy walking on your own, enjoy your own company, its great thinking material. and it doesn't give you an easy excuse to not go ahead if the person you were 'scheduled to walk with' cant make it at the last minute.

make it practical

a common EXCUSE complaint is being too busy to exercise. so an option is to fit in your walking with things you need to do anyway. taking your dog for a walk - he (she) has to get out too. the kids need to go to school - why not walk them there? walk to work. walk home from work. walk to the shops. walk to the gym. if it's too far to walk all the way to wherever you need to go, (no distance is TOO far though!! *Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time.  ~Steven Wright! ) drive or take the bus halfway and walk the remaining distance.

come up with a schedule that fits your life, change what you do constantly so you have no chance of becoming tired of it ... and, lastly - keep in touch (surround yourself!) with like minded and motivating, positive people - that help you to be inspired, every single day of your life!