can't even manage to take 3000 steps in a day

sobiakhatoon

How do you guys do it... please share tips on time management if you are successful with that to take steps as much as 5k or above
Thanks

queenliz99

Why can't you do 3000 steps? It's not that many steps or about 20 minutes walking.

scolaris

Yeah. I don't know. I just shoehorn in steps all day long. Today I'm at my rental cabin in the middle of nowhere busily decorating it for xmas guests. Two leisurely walking breaks around our community roads will get me about 16000 steps. Whenever I have a little time I head for the door! Keeps me sane

sobiakhatoon

queenliz99 wrote: »

Why can't you do 3000 steps? It's not that many steps or about 20 minutes walking.

I own a convenience store where I stand at the cash register from noon to 6 p.m I can't walk away from there to take any steps as customers come in n leave constantly. Then 40 minutes ride back home. I come home and cook dinner, load the dishwasher, make kids do homework and clean up the house. I'm so tired by the end of the day that there is no energy left in me to go take the extra very much needed steps....and my schedule before noon is pretty much same like afternoon. Wake up, breakfast, send kids to school etc.
That's why want to know how people manage their schedules for extra walking.....

sobiakhatoon

Forgot to mention that I have tendinitis in my right foot. So standing the whole day makes it hurt and due to the pain I feel like I need to rest it hence I don't go for walks. But I also understand that losing weight will take off the pressure from my hurting foot and not hurt as much.

sobiakhatoon

scolaris wrote: »

Yeah. I don't know. I just shoehorn in steps all day long. Today I'm at my rental cabin in the middle of nowhere busily decorating it for xmas guests. Two leisurely walking breaks around our community roads will get me about 16000 steps. Whenever I have a little time I head for the door! Keeps me sane

Wow! I'd love to take at least half the steps you take

1meh

Sup - So how many did you take? Add 100 to that and vow to do that tomorrow. How about squats behind the cash register, ppl may look at you funny, but it is exercise! Jog in place? Try to find movement where you can. BUT ALSO, when you are exhausted, tired, with no energy and just can't find the motivation to walk anywhere, go anyway. Just walk around your house/apartment once. Just once. Come on, you can do, I have faith! Then maybe tomorrow you will go twice, and before you know it, you'll have more energy. I promise! So right now (OK, since I'm in Alaska, maybe it's too late riiight now, but if it's not...) go outside and walk around your house, or your block. Take even ten steps, because that is 10 steps in the right direction. You can do it!

nutmegoreo

I find dancing around like a fool to my iPod works nicely. To add some steps quickly.

sobiakhatoon

1meh wrote: »

Sup - So how many did you take? Add 100 to that and vow to do that tomorrow. How about squats behind the cash register, ppl may look at you funny, but it is exercise! Jog in place? Try to find movement where you can. BUT ALSO, when you are exhausted, tired, with no energy and just can't find the motivation to walk anywhere, go anyway. Just walk around your house/apartment once. Just once. Come on, you can do, I have faith! Then maybe tomorrow you will go twice, and before you know it, you'll have more energy. I promise! So right now (OK, since I'm in Alaska, maybe it's too late riiight now, but if it's not...) go outside and walk around your house, or your block. Take even ten steps, because that is 10 steps in the right direction. You can do it!

Thanks for the motivation! I'm gonna take your advice and just DO IT!

sobiakhatoon

nutmegoreo wrote: »

I find dancing around like a fool to my iPod works nicely. To add some steps quickly.

Sounds like fun, will try that!

sobiakhatoon

1meh wrote: »

Sup - So how many did you take? Add 100 to that and vow to do that tomorrow. How about squats behind the cash register, ppl may look at you funny, but it is exercise! Jog in place? Try to find movement where you can. BUT ALSO, when you are exhausted, tired, with no energy and just can't find the motivation to walk anywhere, go anyway. Just walk around your house/apartment once. Just once. Come on, you can do, I have faith! Then maybe tomorrow you will go twice, and before you know it, you'll have more energy. I promise! So right now (OK, since I'm in Alaska, maybe it's too late riiight now, but if it's not...) go outside and walk around your house, or your block. Take even ten steps, because that is 10 steps in the right direction. You can do it!

Alaska. ......I'm in Illinois. Do you go out for walks? If yes, I'd like to know how do you pick up the courage to do so.....

1meh

I don't walk outside all that much because of the cold. I walk around and around and around a gym. Talk about ppl looking at you funny, but they know me now. It's funny too, cause last week I just wasn't feeling well, and sorta used that as an excuse, but when I went back they said they missed me. I do walk places (like the store or to the mall) in the cold, and I just wear layers...lots and lots of layers. And on the weekends I walk around the mall, good for weight loss, and sometimes it makes my wallet lighter too!

sobiakhatoon

I'm planning on going to the mall for the same purpose....only when stores are closed! LOL!
Will have my 3 years old daughter with me in her stroller. I'll definitely go this weekend.

Debbie_Ferr

Here's a GREAT article:

http://news.yahoo.com/simple-way-reach-10-000-steps-day-160038649.html

Week One:
Buy a pedometer (or Samsung Galaxy s5 phone!). Measure your typical steps, don't change your normal routine. Total your steps for the week, divide by 7. This will be your average steps/day & will be your baseline.

Week Two:
Increase your steps by 20 percent during week 2. the every week after... keep adding a bit more.
come on, you can do it !

Here's 20 small ways to increase your steps. EVERY step counts, and they add up fast

Good luck ~

-- Park your car away from the entrance when shopping, running errands or going to dinner.

-- Take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator whenever possible.

-- Go window shopping to get some extra steps.

-- Walk your kids to school or the bus stop rather than driving them.

-- Play tag, hopscotch or some other childhood game with your kids.

-- Skip the drive-thru at Starbucks and walk into the store to get your java.

-- March or pace during the commercial breaks when watching TV.

-- Instead of meeting a friend for lunch, plan an hour walk or hike during your break.

-- Skip the cart return area in the grocery store parking lot and walk the shopping cart back into the store.

-- Hold walking meetings at work whenever possible.

-- Instead of sitting, walk around while watching your child's sporting events.

-- Go for a walk with a friend instead of meeting for coffee.

-- Walk to a co-worker's office instead of emailing or calling.

-- Take your dog for a walk instead of letting him out in the yard.

-- Take a walk on your lunch break.

-- Wear a headset and pace during phone calls.

-- Wear comfortable shoes at work -- research shows you'll move more.

-- Go for an after-dinner stroll.

-- Take the baby or kids for a ride in the stroller or wagon.

-- March or pace while brushing your teeth.

any other ideas? please post / share

Debbie_Ferr

10 minutes walking = 1/2 mile = approx 2,000 steps.

at home, I set my timer for 10 minutes.

and just tell myself I have to constantly walk, while doing things that I normally do while I'm stationary.

such as while I'm brushing my teeth, checking emails, sorting thru snail-mail, watching videos on the computer, talking on the phone. doesn't matter what I do... I keep walking

10 minutes goes by fast enough, and I'm accomplishing something else at the same time.

win win situation

Soopatt

I just got a fitbit and I was shocked at how inactive I was. My goal at the moment is to just do a bit better each day than the day before because right now 10,000 steps is completely intimidating.

Great tips from the other posters!

girlinahat

sobiakhatoon wrote: »

queenliz99 wrote: »

Why can't you do 3000 steps? It's not that many steps or about 20 minutes walking.

I own a convenience store where I stand at the cash register from noon to 6 p.m I can't walk away from there to take any steps as customers come in n leave constantly. Then 40 minutes ride back home. I come home and cook dinner, load the dishwasher, make kids do homework and clean up the house. I'm so tired by the end of the day that there is no energy left in me to go take the extra very much needed steps....and my schedule before noon is pretty much same like afternoon. Wake up, breakfast, send kids to school etc.
That's why want to know how people manage their schedules for extra walking.....

how do you get to work? If public transport, can you get off a stop earlier to walk the rest? What do you do between waking up and noon when you start work? what time do you send the kids off to school? Seems like there should be time to fit something in there. What about weekends? Maybe start going walking WITH the kids, getting them involved in outside activity.

I too struggle to get 3000 steps in an average workday, but I've started going to the gym first thing, and doing things in the evening like dancing. Aim for 3000 a day and then keep adding a target.

DesOdhi

I don't know your situation in particular, but I know that I've had days when I don't want to even leave my bed. But, every day is one step at a time. If I know I'm not feeling the gym one day. I'll take the long way to get to my job's door, or do some cleaning around the house, or get up & walk around during work hours. You'll be surprised how fast those steps add up. If you need support, I'm only 5 days into my journey but I'm willing to offer it.

sobiakhatoon

Thanks alot everyone for taking out time to help me. Each of you sound sensible and right! I will try to squeeze the advices in my daily routine.

cafeaulait7

If you do something more vigorous than walking, then you are being more active in less time, too. Put on a 15-30 minute DVD at home that's full-body and more active. That should count for more than the number of steps you'd get in those same 15 minutes. It doesn't have to be steps (I find that walking takes more time than I like, too!).

I started sprinting HIIT-style with my dog when I walk her, for instance. We both love it! It doesn't take any longer than our usual walk. Ironically, my pedometer doesn't count it well, lol.

airangel59

http://www.hungry-girl.com/ask-hg-q-and-a/show/housewalking-daily-steps

I love my Fitbit & Vivofit....been walking for over 2 yrs since got my first Flex.

One day, one pound, one step

Alatariel75

I've worked 16 hours a day the last 5 days and hit 10k steps every day... I work in an office. I just... walk. I take the long way around, go for a wander when I get a break, walk to and from the train station, park further away...

fiddletime

I average 3000 steps a day unless I do a cardio day or go to a big box store. I have a bad foot that's painful also so have had to cut back. My workouts are mostly weight based now. I can add steps, but my foot is sore the next day. So, OP, if your foot tendinitis is like that consider getting a stationary bike and use it watching TV. I'm considering doing that.

SherryTeach

I have all kinds of ways to get my steps high. At school I walk around the copier while my papers are coming out. I jog in place in the kitchen while the coffee is brewing. I park far away from wherever I need to go. I pace in the classroom. I always walk around my house when I'm on the phone.

taeliesyn

sobiakhatoon wrote: »

queenliz99 wrote: »

Why can't you do 3000 steps? It's not that many steps or about 20 minutes walking.

I own a convenience store where I stand at the cash register from noon to 6 p.m I can't walk away from there to take any steps as customers come in n leave constantly. Then 40 minutes ride back home. I come home and cook dinner, load the dishwasher, make kids do homework and clean up the house. I'm so tired by the end of the day that there is no energy left in me to go take the extra very much needed steps....and my schedule before noon is pretty much same like afternoon. Wake up, breakfast, send kids to school etc.
That's why want to know how people manage their schedules for extra walking.....

You can walk away if there isn't another customer in line, even if it's 2 or 3 steps away and then back again, basically pacing back and forth between customers. It's only a small change, but over time it will add up.

178Goal

Walk in front of your TV Set, it works, and it will add up!

summerkissed

Put on music when doing your house work and dance around while you do it!! And don't be too hard on yourself you do a 40 min bike ride!! It's still exercise even if it isn't walking but I love having my fave tunes on to clean the house my kids are both fairly young and they love it cause mummy stops and has a dance with them!!

jessicarobinson00

Drink lots of water??? Frequent bathroom breaks will get you moving!

losinglbsnow

It's hard with a job that keeps you standing like that. Perhaps march in place or even go in tiny circles any moment you don't have customers? Steps add up quickly. When you get home maybe try just getting off the bus and walking up and down the driveway (or whatever) one time and then each day add a lap. Also waiting for buses you can walk about or march in place a bit perhaps? Good luck!

ktekc

i pace around my work area. I work with a large robotic router. i cant leave the area while it is running to make sure it dosent go haywire. . .i manage about 15-18k steps in a full 10 hour work day mostly pacing the area while it does its thing.

OyGeeBiv

Today I knew I wouldn't have time to go for my usual 1-mile walk, so I started my coffeemaker, and went out for a 1/4 mile walk. It took 6 minutes, and when I came back in my coffee was ready.

You didn't say how old your kids are but if they're old enough to be home alone for a few minutes you can do the same thing. If not, get everyone up and ready 10 minutes earlier, and you can all go outside for a few minutes before school. They can walk with you, or play in the yard while you pace, for example. I know it gives me a mental boost to get in a little exercise and fresh air in the morning, and I imagine it'll help get your kids alert and energized for their school work, too.