Easy Walking Tips To Add More Steps To Your Day

Did you make a new year’s resolution to live healthier, get fit or lose weight? Each year, many of us start the new year off determined to meet these goals, yet for some of us that prospect seems overwhelming at times. So if you’re not ready to dive into a structured routine, then at least consider starting the year off on the right foot by following a few of these easy walking tips to add more steps to your day.

Here are some easy walking tips that will have you adding more steps to your day in no time:

• Wear a pedometer. Your goal should be to try to walk 10,000 steps a day, which is equivalent to approximately five miles. Start out by trying to increase your current steps by 2,000 a day (2,000 steps is about 1 mile) and as you start feeling comfortable with that, then add more steps. By wearing a pedometer you are more aware of how many steps you take throughout the day. You don’t need to walk a mile at a time, just add additional steps throughout the day whenever you can and those steps will add up before you even realize what’s happening.
• Park further away from your destination. This is an easy and effortless way to add more steps to your day.
• When waiting for something, pace or walk in circles rather than standing in one place. Make wasted time work for your waist!
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator. A little bit of exercise in small chunks adds up throughout the day to help you meet your goals.
• Drop something off at a co-workers desk or walk there to talk to them instead of sending an email. Not only will you get a little exercise, but a break from sitting at your desk as well.
• While on the phone, pace around the office or around the house. You won’t even notice how many extra steps you are adding to your day when you’re busy talking on the phone.
• While kids are at sports practice, walk around the field. You’ve got time to kill anyway, so you might as well make it productive!
• Keep an exercise log (and food log if you’re looking to lose weight). By keeping track of what you’re doing and how often you do it, you’ll find yourself more likely to stick with your commitment.
• Track your progress on a chart or map. Set a goal for yourself as to how many miles you hope to walk by a specific date and track your progress on a chart or map. Visually seeing how far you have come is very motivating to keep you working towards a goal. It’s fun to determine on a map how long it will take you to walk from point A to point B, depending on the distance and then track your journey. When you reach your destination, be sure to reward yourself – or if your goals are lofty and your journey long, then be sure to pick up a few souvenirs at the “rest stops” along the way. And don’t forget to enjoy the scenery!

By incorporating some or all of these easy walking tips into your routine you’ll be adding additional steps to your day in no time. Just be sure to check with your doctor before starting any exercise program.