One of the unique aspects of Happy Feet Walkers club is creating collages.

Several times we have been asked, why do you stress creating collages? What is the big deal? How is it supposed to help?

When Lakshmy and I started envisioning walking everyday, we wanted to have a log of our walks. Maintaining a dairy, yes sure, but not everyone is good at it. Then we thought about clicking pictures. But pictures that don’t tell the entire story would not go the entire distance. Then came the idea of creating picture collages that tell a story in very few words.

1. A picture of the walk scene: When we walk outdoors we come across so many beautiful sights, some capture our fancy more than others. Once captured in a collage, it is always there to relive the entire walk.
2. A screenshot of the map walked: Mapmywalk creates a beautiful map of the walk. In addition to capturing the distance, some beautiful pictures emerge from the map.
3. A selfie : This is the new rage, but there is strong reason behind it. Women most often feel self conscious. But guess what, each and every woman is beautiful. You just need to believe it. I believe! Looking at your own pictures over time can generate some healthy nostalgia too.
4. A couple of words or sentences: Why use an entire paragraph when you can sum it up in a couple of words? Just like a bow on a gift wrap, it ties it up into a neat little memory package for yourself and a gift of motivation to all your friends, family and happy feet members too!

Ok, so now that everyone is enthused about creating collages, here are a few simple steps to help you create your own:

1. Look for any collage app on your phone. There are many many free apps like PicArts, YouCam Perfect, PicCollage etc. They are all equally interesting. Take your pick.
2. When you start your walk, remember to turn on mapmywalk. At the end of the walk, save workout and take screenshot of your phone. Different phones have different ways to do it. Swipe for Galaxy, double press home key and sleep for Iphone etc.
3. Make sure you click a few pictures of scenery as you walk so that you can pick your favorite.
4. Click a selfie or 2 or many. If you find friends and family to walk with you or meet you along the way, stop them for a group selfie.
5. Open Collage app, pick a template, add each of these images and a few lines of text! Voila!! Your collage is ready.
6. Appreciate it, file it away and send it to your group leader.
7. Watch out for all the messages cheering you on! Smile and feel good!
8. Look for your image on Happy Feet Facebook Page. and make sure you tag yourself.
9. Look out for the end of the year Happy Feet Yearbook with collages. It will make a great Coffee Table book!!