How To Get 10,000 Steps a Day

Living in the Seattle area, nearly everyone and their mother has a Fitbit. I constantly see other people around me, with their fancy little device, tapping it as they walk to see how many steps they have. This Christmas I joined the Fitbit club, and have quickly become obsessed with getting at least 10,000 steps a day, if not more. Because then your Fitbut buzzes and tells you you reached your goal and how healthy you're being, and who doesn't love that? But sometimes it's hard to get 10,000 steps a day, and then we feel sad when we don't reach our goal. 10,000 is roughly 5 miles, which doesn't seem like a lot, and yet, it is. So, these are some of my tips on how to get 10,000 steps a day!

• Get a Fitbit or something that can track your steps
Having a Fitbit has actually made me motivated and want to work out more. Without it, I noticed I really didn't care if I was exercising that much or not. So invest into something that can help you keep track of your steps and mileage.

• Get up and move every hour
Sometimes we get lost in life and just spend our entire day at the office, sitting in the same chair. And then on the weekends we splurge and watch Netflix all. Day. Long. So, get up and move! Just get up every hour and do a little stroll around the house; let your dog outside, take a walk, get some water; whatever you need to do, just get up and do it.

• Take the stairs
Going to the mall is one of my favorite things to do, and it might be one of your favorite things to do too, so instead of taking the elevator, use the stairs instead. This keeps you moving and gives you more steps. In the end, it's much more beneficial, and, most likely, it's quicker to use the stairs than the elevator.

• Set goals
Set smaller goals that don't seem quite as daunting as 10,000 steps. Instead, say you will be at 2,500 steps around 11 AM, and then that you'll be at 5,000 steps by 1 PM and so on until you reach 10,000 steps. That way your goals seem more manageable.

• Park far away
As a woman, I am not saying to any of you that when it's dark and scary outside and you are alone, that you should park at the very back of the darkest parking lot. But, if it's during the day and you're running errands, then park farther away so you have to take more steps to get to the store.

• Take walks with friends
Instead of just hanging out at a coffee shop and catching up with your friends, opt to go for a walk and catch up instead. I know one of my favorite things to do with my friends is walk the trail in our town or do some easy hikes, that way we're being active. And, you could always stop by Starbucks or Jamba Juice before you walk too, or you could go after your activity as a reward.

• Take a stroll while checking your phone
Instead of just sitting on the couch and checking your phone, opt to pace while doing it. Or, if you're talking to someone on the phone, walk around your house, that way you're being active but you can still catch up with your bestie from high school.

• Get up and move during the commercials 
While checking social media during commercials can be fun, get up and move instead. Do some jumping jacks or squats, or just walk in pace until your show comes back on.

Those are just a few of my tips for staying healthy and getting all of your steps in. Good luck and I hope you can get 10,000 steps a day! We all love being healthy and happy, right? Get up and go get those steps!