Easy Ways To Get 10,000 Steps A Day

Staying active during the work day can be a challenge, but whether you are a total fitness fanatic or just want to stay active, tracking your daily steps is a healthy habit to have. Health and fitness experts recommend logging in at least 10,000 steps a day. If you choose to add on a spin class, yoga, or another form of exercise on top of the 10K steps, even better, but if you don’t make it to the gym that day, taking those 10,000 steps is a totally realistic fitness goal that will keep you moving all day. Listed below are some ways to get your 10,000 steps a day in:

Park At The First Spot You See

If you live in cities like San Francisco or Los Angeles where street parking is hard to come by, this tip is a big one. When you are driving to your destination, park at the first spot you see as soon as you are within walking distance. All too often we find ourselves circling the block multiple times for a closer spot when we could have spent that time sneaking in a few more steps!

Take The Stairs

You may have heard this one before, but for good reason because it’s effective! Make it a point to take the stairs instead of the elevator. If your office or apartment is located several stories up, this can make a huge difference daily.

Make Your Social Plans Active

Next time you go to schedule a coffee or lunch date with a friend, consider meeting for a hiking or walking date instead. Having a buddy to move with is a great way to make physical activity fun.

Take Your Dog Around The Block An Extra Time

If you are a dog owner, then daily walks are probably already a part of your routine. But instead of taking your pup out for a short potty break, challenge yourself to double your normal route. Circle the block one more time to give both you and your furry friend some extra exercise.

Swear Off Food Delivery Services

We have all used some sort of food delivery service and while we love the convenience of having our lunch delivered right to our desk or our dinner delivered to our front door, using these services daily can make for a pretty sedentary lifestyle. Instead, opt for takeout places that are within walking distance and make yourself get up and move for your meal.

Make It A Walking Meeting

Anytime you have an internal meeting or a work phone call that doesn’t require you to be in front of your computer, make it a walking meeting instead. This will get you up and moving toward your daily 10K goal and help get your creative juices flowing too.

Shop In Store

We all love online shopping, so this tip is a good one. Instead of ordering online next time, head to the nearest mall or shopping area and shop the racks on foot. If you have a good indoor mall nearby, keep this tip in mind for rain or snow days too!

Get To Know Your Neighborhood

Whether you live in a new neighborhood or you have been living in your neighborhood for a long time and haven’t wandered around your neighborhood in a while, then it’s time to walk around your neighborhood and get to know the small businesses and restaurants within walking distance from where you live. Think of how nice it will be to walk there the next time you have an errand to run or want to go out for a bite to eat.

Start A Competition

If you enjoy a challenge, start a friendly competition with your friends or coworkers. Use your fitness tracker or a pedometer app to see who can get the most steps in a week or month.

Set A Timer

If you work at a desk, set a timer to make sure you get up and moving every single hour. Even if that means you just walk to the water cooler or go outside for five minutes of fresh air, make sure you are not ever sitting still for more than an hour.

These tips can really help you get in 10,000 steps a day. Even if you are not into working out, just sticking to your steps will keep you active and the challenge of having a specific goal makes it fun. It’s a lot easier than you might think and there’s no excuse not to walk even if you are not a star athlete and until next time, stay happy, healthy and beautiful.