This post brought to you by Famous Footwear. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Mother’s Niche.
I first started tracking my steps and trying to get more steps when I was pregnant. I was so sick and seemed to spend the majority of my day on the couch. I knew that my inactivity wouldn’t help my pregnancy later on down the road, and it certainly wasn’t going to help my restless legs or cramps either! Once I started tracking and challenging myself with more steps, I became a lot more motivated to get up and at least try to do better than the day before.
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Now that fall is approaching, I am again in the mood to put my “best foot forward” and try to get 10,000 steps, even if the winter weather is making me want to curl up on the couch with a blanket and wool socks. I didn’t really understand the “take more steps” craze until I actually got a tracker. It is so much fun to track my steps and see how active I am in a day. Now that I am aware how many (or not so many) steps I am taking in a day, I am always wanting to find a way to get more steps! In reading and asking around, it seems to be that 10,000 steps is kind of the magical number. Some people are tracking their steps in an effort to lose weight, some are doing it just to be more fit and take care of their body, and some are tracking steps as part of a program or “steps a day challenge,” but they all seem to have the “10,000 steps a day” in common. Getting 10,000 steps in one day can be challenging depending on what my day is like, but I’ve found it to be way easier when I am applying these tips for getting more steps. I hope some of these help you as well!
- Wear shoes you can walk in comfortably. This is MOST important. You won’t be motivated to take more steps if you are walking around in high heels. I purposely bought a pair of Women’s Flex 2016 RN Running Shoe that I felt were both fashionable AND comfortable. That way I can wear them casual with some jeans and a cute fall top, or I can pair them with some exercise clothes.
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator
- Park Far Away
- Walk or pace any time you are talking on the phone
- Put on fun music and dance while you clean
- Race your kids for just about everything they do
- Walk around the house while you open and read your mail
- Walk your kids to school
- Walk in place while you eat
- If you need to run an errand (to the neighbor’s, etc.) walk instead of drive
- Use the bathroom that is furthest away
- Play outside with your kids
- Challenge one of your friends (competition can be very motivating)
- Set an hourly timer for drinking water and walk to the kitchen every time it goes off
- Tell yourself you can only use social media while you are walking (careful not to run into anything!)
- Store chocolate and sweets in the furthest section of your house and make yourself walk there for every single piece you eat
- Step in place while you craft or work on a project instead of sitting
- If you watch TV, pace your living room or walk the stairs during commercials
- Start a walking club with neighbors/friends. It’s much harder to talk yourself out of a walk if you have someone counting on you to meet up with them.
- Wear a step tracker. It’s motivating to see your progress and to know exactly how many steps you have taken.
- Do a set amount of jumping jacks or lunges after each meal.
What tips do YOU have for getting more steps?
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What do you think?