Walk it Out: Five Tips to Fit Your Steps In

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My husband is a step counting fanatic.

I’m impressed by his commitment to reach his step goal every day. It’s common to see him walk in strange places at strange times.

Me? Not so much.

Walk It Out: Five Tips to Get Your Steps In | Albuquerque Moms Blog

I’d rather count cookies than steps.

But being married to a man who walks like there’s no tomorrow has it’s advantages. I’ve picked up a few things along the way that help me get more steps throughout the day.

So whether you’re a FitBit fanatic or just trying to reach that fitness goal, here are some tips to help you walk it out.

Walk It Out: Five Tips to Get Your Steps In | Albuquerque Moms Blog

Take Walking Breaks

This is a big one if you are at a desk job.

If my husband is going to be sitting for a lot of the day, he finds times to get short walking breaks.

Since we volunteer at our church, he walks around the block between services. If we’re at a training or meeting, he’ll walk a bit during the bathroom break. The man can fit in a walk like a champ!

Use the Dog as an Excuse

At the end of a long day, taking the dog on a walk is one of the last things on your mind.

But almost every day my husband is faithful to take the dog on a walk.

It doesn’t have to be far. Sometimes it’s just around the block. There are days he doesn’t want to go, but he knows our dog looks forward to it so he goes anyway.

And in the process he gets some extra steps!

Walk It Out: Five Tips to Get Your Steps In | Albuquerque Moms Blog

Walk in Circles (Literally)

We have a wall that separates the kitchen and dining area from the living room. It is perfect for walking laps between the rooms. If my husband hasn’t reached his step count for the day, he takes advantage of this feature of our house.

Almost every night you can find my husband walking in circles.

He goes around the wall until his watch buzzes and his goal is reached. It’s pretty funny to watch. But it works every time!

Walk It Out: Five Tips to Get Your Steps In | Albuquerque Moms Blog

Park Farther Away

I don’t wear heels to church anymore. Know why? I’d have blisters the size of Texas before I even walked through those doors.

Anywhere we go my husband parks as far away as possible. 

Larger parking lots, like WalMart, usually find us somewhere in the middle. It used to be frustrating, but now I just embrace it. Those small amounts of extra steps really add up!

I often find myself adopting this strategy.

Walk It Out: Five Tips to Get Your Steps In | Albuquerque Moms Blog

Go Into the Store

I know, I know. Some of you are clutching your chest and shocked I would even suggest abandoning grocery pickups.

But do you realize how much that WalMart trip can help your step count?

We are a culture that has embraced making things as easy as possible for ourselves. Going to stores with children is difficult and grocery trips take time. But that walk inside once a week can help you reach your step goal on lazy weekends. 

Walk It Out: Five Tips to Get Your Steps In | Albuquerque Moms Blog

Just choose one of these walking tips to implement this week and see how that step count increases! 

Then come back and try some more.  

You’ll be beating all your friends in those step challenges before you know it.