We have been drilled at over and over again that we should all be getting in at least 10,000 steps per day, but is this very realistic? This means that every single day you need to walk 4 to 5 miles. For a lot of people, this just isn’t realistic. Heck, even the fittest people in the world don’t hit 10,000 steps per day. If this is a goal that you have struggled with or have to sit a lot of the day for your job, then throw the 10,000 steps goal out there window. We are here to show you some more realistic goals for you to accomplish daily that are just as good as walking 10,000 steps.
Stand Up More
Sitting has been called by some as the new smoking. We are sitting more than ever, but yet a lot of us can’t do a whole lot about it–especially those tied to a desk and chair. The energy in our body flows more freely when we are standing tall (and with good posture, of course) so it’s vital to stand up as much as possible throughout the day. Once you are standing if you can move around a bit that is even better but first start by holding yourself accountable to stand more.
Mix Up Your Workouts
We talk a lot on here about the importance of changing up your workouts in order to keep your body guessing. If you are someone that thinks they need to move more throughout the day then add in more cardio days into your workout plan. This could even mean just adding some walks into your lunch hour or evenings if your goals are ones that do not involve more cardio. Just some small changes like this can get your body moving more without you thinking it is a chore to do so.
Stretch
Stretching is overlooked so much when it really is just as important as working out. If you aren’t flexible or your mobility is terrible then how do you expect to be effective in your workouts? Plus, stretching can reduce the chances of injury significantly. If you have a hard time fitting stretching into your schedule, we recommend dedicating at least 5 minutes at the end of your workout or adding a little stretch sequence first thing in the morning. Stretching in the morning could also help in other ways like, waking up the body and get your body feeling more energized in the morning–ready to take on what the day brings.
Listen to Your Body
Adding on to incorporating what works best for your goals, you should also be listening to what your body is asking for. This will change from day to day, so it is important to start paying attention more and understand what it is that is best for your body that day. For example, if you are super stressed heading to a high-intensity workout is probably not the best idea because your cortisol levels are most likely already in overdrive, so you don’t need to add any more stress. When your body is in this state, it should be asking for something a bit slower paced and meditative like Yoga, Pilates or a walk in the sunshine.
What are some ways you keep active without worrying about the 10,000 step goal?
