How to Get 10,000 Steps a Day

How to Get 10,000 Steps a Day

Most fitness trackers have a general goal of walking 10,000 steps per day. Walking in general is a low impact exercise that can boost heart health and overall lead to a more active lifestyle. Ten thousand can appear daunting when beginning a fitness journey. Here are 10 tips to help you reach the goal:

1. Work up to 10,000

10,000 may be your end goal, but you do not need to start there. Take a few days to track your steps in your usual day to day life, then gradually work your way up to your goal. If you can easily get 2,000 steps in throughout your day, aim for 3,000 for a week. 

2. Keep your tracker with you 

Find a steps tracker that works for you. You may use a FitBit, an Apple Watch, your phone, or an old school pedometer. Whatever works best for you, use the tracker that you can keep on you all throughout the day. You would be surprised to find how many steps you take when going about your casual morning.

3. Take the stairs

When you can, take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator. This is a quick way to add at least 15 steps, depending on your staircase.

4. Do chores

Household chores are an easy way to get additional steps in without leaving your house. Vacuuming, sweeping, collecting laundry, and taking out the trash are all easy ways to add more steps to your daily tracker. 

5. Set reminders throughout the day

My FitBit reminds me to walk if I have not taken a minimum of 250 steps within the hour. You can set your own goal of 1,000 steps an hour and set alarms to spread out your goal to more easily achieved chunks.

6. Join a gym

If you live in a colder climate, you may benefit from joining a gym. Creating an upbeat playlist to walk on the treadmill to will make it fun to get your steps in. Having a space to walk indoors will make it easier to get steps in during the winter.

7. Spend time outside

During the summer, you can join a sport to get some extra steps in outside with friends. You can also go for walks around your neighborhood or work on your lawn. During the winter, shoveling your driveway will increase your daily step count.

8. Window shop

Visit a mall and go window shopping. It’s amazing how many steps you can walk by simply browsing stores. 

9. Park far away from your destination

If you are running errands, park towards the back of the parking lot. This forces you to walk more in order to reach your destination. 

10. Get a workout buddy

Share you workout goals with somebody. Exercising is fun and good for your mind and body, but every journey is better when you have somebody to share it with. Having a workout buddy helps keep your fitness goals fresh and fun while also keeping you motivated. 

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