5 Ways to Get Your Steps in (Rain or Shine!)

Author: Mary Kate Murphy

You want to get in your steps, reach your goal, and perhaps, even feel good about that calorie budget increasing. We get it!

But then, what happens when the day has less than ideal walking weather or you live in a place that experiences winter weather a good chunk of the year and the probability of being active outdoors diminishes and the likelihood of curling up and watching a movie increases. How can we still get in our steps despite all of this?? Here’s your answer! 

1. Get your clean on: When was the last time you did a good spring cleaning in your house? Let’s be honest, cleaning in itself is an exercise! You get to reap the benefits in multiple ways with this activity: more steps, cleaner house, and the feeling of satisfaction having moved and accomplished a task all at the same time!
2. Just dance: Have you ever listened to a favorite tune in the car or in a store, felt the rhythm or words speak to you, and before you know it, felt your limbs moving and started dancing? Well that’s what we’re going to do here! Play your favorite tunes, stand up, move your feet, and shake it! Not only will you get in steps, but you’re going to feel better while doing it. 
3. Step up your current habits: You don’t need a running track nor a nature trail nor a dedicated hour a day to get in your steps. Nope. All you need to do is let those creative juices flow! Do you run errands? Do you grocery shop? Do you have a parking lot at your work? Could you take the stairs rather than the elevator? When you run those errands, purposely park in the last possible parking spot, and if that’s already taken, then the second to last. You get the point. An added bonus to this is that you likely won’t have to struggle to find a parking space. 
4. Follow the “get up and move no matter what” rule: Oh yes, that means that you set an alarm on your phone to walk every so number of minutes or hours. You make the rules here, but you just have to do it! Whether you set an alarm for every hour to get up and walk for 5 minutes, and take a few loops around your house or office building or apartment building. Be sure to look very proud each time you do it, despite the potential stares because you are getting in those steps. 
5. Set a SMART goal: You’re committed to getting those steps in and reaching your step goal every day. Despite your best intentions, life can get in the way. Setting SMART goals is the best way for you to reach your goals, because you’ll have a realistic, concrete plan to achieve them.

Extra steps are all around us, we just have to open up our eyes to them. Let us know how you’ll add steps into your day in the comments below!