FITNESS FRIDAY 3/9/18 - (10 Ways to Hit 10,000 Steps!)

Hey EVERYONE!..

So.. its been a little bit since we did the Fitness Friday, since alot of us here were doing so great with the February Cardio Event!...Some of us are getting ready to leave these "Winter" months behind us, and are ready and waiting on Spring weather to arrive!... Perhaps even ready to get back outside and enjoy the warmer weather, and being able to walk in the warmth and sunshine again! Today's Fitness Friday, will talk about "Ways" to get in and Reach 10,000 steps a day. Which is said to be the "Minimum amount" of steps it takes to be considered "ACTIVE".

So let's get started!! (No marching in place required)!!

***In an age of digital fitness trackers, one number has emerged as the gold standard: 10,000. Upping your step count — whether you increase your daily total to 5,000 or that coveted 10,000 — is one step toward being that much healthier.

But walking around can also be downright boring for some...... Consulted trainers discuss the following: What are some fun, new ways to take more steps without pacing your house aimlessly? Below, their top 10 techniques.

1. Start Small

Wear your step counting device for a day or two and dont do anything special — just see where youre starting from, Do you typically hit 2,000 steps per day? Trying to shoot for 10,000 right out of the chute is likely to come with a high risk of injury,... Instead, target some reasonable increase — perhaps 3,000.

And dont get discouraged if youre a ways away from that 10,000 number. Theres nothing ‘magical about 10,000 steps per day, says Hamilton. True progress involves starting where you are and building to where you want to be.

2. Talk About It

On a quest to move more? Bringing a partner along with you on the journey is a great way to increase motivation and enjoyment,.... Having someone to talk to and share the experience with will make it more about the process and less about the number, which is an important part of creating lasting change. Plus, a little competition never hurt anyone, right?

3. Hit the Stairs

If you have a two-story house (or an apartment thats on a second story or higher), you have a built-in Stairmaster!!, Set a timer and when it dings, do several trips up and down the stairs! No gym required!!

4. Beware of the Easy Way Out

Always pass on the path of least resistance. That means, when possible, taking the stairs instead of the elevator; deliberately parking your car at the far end of the parking lot; and walking to the coffee shop instead of driving. We need to be more conscious of the ways we avoid activity in our daily lives, so we can recognize them and choose healthier options.

5. Make the Grocery Store Your Gym

When we go to the store, most of us follow a set path, skipping aisles we know dont have anything we need. Its an efficient method (and a fool-proof way to skip the temptation to pick up those bags of chips!). But, working in concentric circles from the outside toward the inside — or vice versa — is a good way to sneak in a solid walk. Then: Take your cart all the way back into the store instead of dropping it off at the nearest cart corral.

6. Take a Walking Lunch

Lunch breaks are a solid chunk of time that many of us spend on our bums. But instead of sitting and eating for your whole break, why not try to take half of the time for a walk? Even 10 or 15 minutes of movement could log you 1,000 steps!

7. Break Your Email Habit

Were all guilty of shooting off digital messages from time to time. But walking over to a coworkers desk is an easy and manageable way to rack up your step count, says Hamilton. Do it enough and youll be surprised how many steps you add in every day. Plus, couldnt we all benefit from less screen time?

8. Set a Movement Timer

If you spend all day at a desk, hitting movement goals can be difficult. Thats why setting a timer to remind you to get up every 45 minutes or so. Not only will your back thank you, youll be more inclined to walk around a bit, even if its just to the bathroom. Make sure to pick the bathroom thats the furthest away from your desk and fill up your water bottle. (Youll need that bathroom more frequently if youre adequately hydrated!)

9. Walk Before or After Family Meals

A pre- or post-dinner ritual — strolling around the block or simply down your street a bit — is a great chance to reconnect and have meaningful conversations with those you love. Make a special effort to reconnect with world around you, too. Make it a sensory adventure – listen for birds, feel the wind on your face, look for the first hints of spring. The more enjoyment you get out of a walk, the more likely youll be to want to keep up the routine.

10. Dance It Out

Who said steps only counted if you were walking or running? Hate to leave the house or apartment when its cold? This go-to: Put on some tunes and dance while you fix dinner!

**HOW MANY OF YOU SET GOALS TO REACH 10,000 STEPS A DAY?? HOW MANY OF HAVE ALREADY BEEN REACHING THOSE GOALS FOR A WHILE NOW?

If you are New, What suggestions above do you feel you can take with you to get started at increasing your steps? If you are a "PRO" What things are you already or doing or incorporating?!