One of my resolutions was to try to get moving more, and get 10,000 steps at least once or twice a week... Well, I am so proud of myself, because I am killing it. Last week I got at least 10,000 steps every. single. day. Fantastic, right? My last 7 days are nearly 80,000 steps.
I feel like I'm bragging a little here, but I want to share a couple secrets I've stumbled into on this walking journey.
My FitBit has been so happy with me lately! Personal Photo |
1) Competition is EVERYTHING. A few of my friends and I have fitbits, so we joined up, and do their competitions. We've done a couple "Work week hustle"s and last weekend did the "Weekend warrior" competition. It's crazy addictive for me to watch to see where I fall, and to try to get just a couple hundred more steps to get into the lead. My husband thinks I'm crazy, as I'm pacing around the house at 10 pm, but the competition really drives me. A larger group of friends is doing a month-long challenge in February, which will hopefully push me to keep up the walking.
2) Go the long way. I usually take the shortcuts, or try to get things done quickly, so when I would walk, I was missing out on a lot of steps. But now I'm focused not only on getting somewhere, or doing something, but walking. So I walk around the store the long way, or I park far away if I drive, or just take a walk around the block instead of going the short way. I feel a little silly sometimes, but I'm not all that concerned.
3) Costco. On last Monday, I only had about 6,000 steps after work, and in the competition I was losing. So I went to Costco! I couldn't walk there, since I actually needed to buy stuff, but walking around the store to gather stuff I managed to get about 3,000 steps. That's crazy, right?! Walking around the store you don't really think about how much you're walking, and Costco is so huge!
4) Make excuses to go on walks. I've been making excuses to walk to different stores nearby, or the bank, or other stuff. It helps me to have a place I'm going, and not just walk around aimlessly (even though I will take the long way). I would be taking my dog out for more walks, but her leg and back have been hurting her, so I don't have that excuse to get outside more. But once I'm up and out the door with a destination in mind, it's easier to keep going and get more steps in.
This crazy dog would be going for a lot more walks right now, but she's injured. Poor baby. Personal Photo |
Overall, I've been keeping up with that resolution, and I'm so proud! Aside from just walking more, it's also encouraging me to eat a little healthier, especially at lunch (the easiest places to walk to get lunch are the grocery stores nearby, so I can get a salad or sandwich or fruit easily!), and I think I have lost a pound or two. I've also been working out a bit more (but I don't get as many steps from doing the workout video so I'm tempted to just go on a long walk in the dark instead!). And another awesome benefit is that my husband goes on walks with me, either late after work or on the weekends, so we spend some good quality time together. We're going to Maui soon, so it's important we keep it up there and keep going on walks (but on or to the beach!).
This weekend I got over 20,000 steps one day, and feel like I might be able to give my father-in-law a run for his money!