How do you get in 10,000 steps with a desk job??

SameMe_JustLess

The goal is 10,000 steps a day, so I'm looking for ideas here! I already do the following (1) park in a far spot, (2) take stairs and not elevator, (3) try to get a few steps in every hour, and then I take a walk after work. 6,000 to 7,000 is my average.

Tomorrow I am going to start walking a mile at lunch no matter how cold it is!! That should help I guess.

Ok, ideas??

plaingirly

Would love some ideas too!

Really want a pedometer!! I already walk to and from work 5 days a week but sit down all day. x

Stefanie7125

i work a desk job, and no matter how many "potty" breaks I take during the day, 7000 is about the most I can get in. Even with a walk after work. Let me know if you find the secret.

meshashesha2012

i'm not counting my steps but in general when possible i walk to people's desks to ask them quick questions rather than email or IM.

a_mandolin_

I fill my water cup with only about 2 drinks, so it is an easy excuse to get up and walk to the water cooler several times an hour!

I work in a very small office, and the water cooler, which is pretty far away, is only like a 30 step round trip. I keep meaning to buy a pedomater - mostly to shame myself into getting my butt out of my chair more.

samantha1242

When I worked my desk job I used to go for a 45 minute walk on my lunch everyday which helped. I would also go talk directly to people in the office instead of emailing them/calling their desk. Offer to do the coffee run at breaks. Visit the water cooler/bathroom more frequently then normal.

Fairysoul

Walk in place maybe while your on the phone? Thats what I would do..

Lyssa62

can you stand at your desk and walk in place??? Just a thought.

Fairysoul

Also park as far away as you can so you get in a little walk before you get the building..

mikeschratz

I go for walks around the parking lot at my 9am break and 2pm break... believe it or not, it really adds up.....

themedalist

Can you do a circuit around your house while watching TV? Many nights I've picked up 1500 to 2000 steps walking around my house during the commercials before the clock strikes midnight.

XXXMinnieXXX

I was getting up at 5am.to walk or jog in summer... But it's too cold now. I enjoyed the 10000 steps for a while but found it not practical in winter. Now doing shorter more intense hit workouts. I have a Ki Fit so still see my steps but go off my TDEE more. The fitbit made me a little crazy. Lol. X

umer76

Does the 10/15 steps to the printer count? I think some days I go to the printer may be 20 times of more

umer76

My question is how do you count the steps?

Sushifish87

I just got a Fitbit and it's first goal is 10k/day! I'm in a similar spot but I work from home!!!! My job does not have any breaks but of course we can go get a drink or go to the bathroom but at home... I don't have very far to go! I can't get up and walk while on the phone since I need to be working on the computer to review and answer their questions. Not an easy task!!!

Capt_Apollo

http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2012/11/01/morning-mile/

this was a challenge for November, that i plan to restart in January, and hopefully for the rest of my life.

the goal is to wake up a little extra early to walk every morning. don't hit snooze. don't check your phone or computer for emails and messages. don't pour yourself coffee.

get dressed and go out, and great the world.

the whole process from the time you wake up to the time you return should only take twenty minutes.

Carolyn_79

I sometimes go jogging during my lunch and will run 5-7k. I have two German Shepherds as well so I walk them for an hour after work. I also workout out in the evening since I don't always jog on my lunch.

At work I've set it up so that I'm having a snack every hour and I also drink a lot of water. This means I'm constantly walking to the kitchen or washroom, lol. Another thing I do is instead of bring all my mail downstairs at the end of the day, I'll bring it down as I receive it so it means multiple trips.

StefPayne

My form of daily exercise is walking outside or on a treadmill simply because I do have a desk job. 30 minutes on the treadmill gets me about 4700 steps add in the rest of the day's activities and I usually get 10,000 to 12,000 a day. Desk jobs are tough on getting steps in, so I just try to do as much as I can on my feet and be as active as I can after work.

KarenJ15

Even when I move around a lot, I find it hard to break 5,000 in a day. Yesterday was an exception because I shoveled snow and took a long walk afterwards, so I exceeded 10,000. But usually that's not the case.

Bobby__Clerici

Stand up and work - little or no sitting.
It's simple, and there are actual work stations that are geared toward standing.
Good Luck:flowerforyou:

brighteyes31143

bump

woodsygirl

If I am low, sometimes i'll just pace around my house. I'll start just sort of walking circles around my upstairs while the kids are playing, or whatever. Getting outside or even just grocery shopping help add steps, but really it seems like even small things add up. Make a goal for yourself and break it up into little increments, like standing up at your desk, getting in 800 steps per hour or whatever works for you.

KarenJ15

My question is how do you count the steps?

I have a Fitbit One. I think it's fairly accurate. It calculates steps based on my sex and height, so it's not entirely set up for my stride, but I count my steps and look at how many it counted and it's correct within one step usually. There is a way to measure my stride and record it in my settings, but that seems complicated. lol

ifoundroadkill

I do not work a desk job I am a stay at home mom. I have discovered just by cleaning my house and picking things up after my kids I get about 12,000-13,000 steps a day and 14 flights of stairs. What I do to get the extra is if you use the phone to text or whatever, walk around as your doing it. Cooking dinner? Walk in place. Walk from one side of the house to the other. Walk the long way to check the mail. Go on a 20 min brisk walk after work, cold is no excuse lol. I live in utah we have 6 inches of snow right now and my two very young boys and I got out and walked for 30 min yesterday If you have the motivation you can do it!

T1mH

A mile is 2000'ish steps.

Stefanie7125

I just got a Fitbit and it's first goal is 10k/day! I'm in a similar spot but I work from home!!!! My job does not have any breaks but of course we can go get a drink or go to the bathroom but at home... I don't have very far to go! I can't get up and walk while on the phone since I need to be working on the computer to review and answer their questions. Not an easy task!!!

you can change the fitbit goal

Lynn_is_happy

I wear the body media and average about 8,000 steps which usually entails housework and 45 mins of activity. I would suggest getting a pedometer and using that to guide you. I would work out before and after work and do all that things that you mentioned already and then see how you can tweak that. Maybe some high back intensity workouts might get you closer to your goals.

ninerbuff

The goal is 10,000 steps a day, so I'm looking for ideas here! I already do the following (1) park in a far spot, (2) take stairs and not elevator, (3) try to get a few steps in every hour, and then I take a walk after work. 6,000 to 7,000 is my average.

Tomorrow I am going to start walking a mile at lunch no matter how cold it is!! That should help I guess.

Ok, ideas??

There are actually "pedal units" that can be put under your desk so you can pedal like riding a bike.

http://www.amazon.com/MagneTrainer-ER-Mini-Exercise-Bike-Exerciser/dp/B000V53KD8?SubscriptionId=19BAZMZQFZJ6G2QYGCG2&tag=Squid744368-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B000V53KD8

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Lynn_is_happy

I know what you mean.......I am using the body media so I can keep an eye on my activity. Bottom line if i am losing weight then I am doing enough exercise. In any case, I am planning on doing my exercise in the morning before I get the kids ready for school and my class starts. Then at night I can see if I still need to use the treadmill. Wish me luck, we all seem to be in the same boar!

Lynn_is_happy

The goal is 10,000 steps a day, so I'm looking for ideas here! I already do the following (1) park in a far spot, (2) take stairs and not elevator, (3) try to get a few steps in every hour, and then I take a walk after work. 6,000 to 7,000 is my average.

Tomorrow I am going to start walking a mile at lunch no matter how cold it is!! That should help I guess.

Ok, ideas??

There are actually "pedal units" that can be put under your desk so you can pedal like riding a bike.

http://www.amazon.com/MagneTrainer-ER-Mini-Exercise-Bike-Exerciser/dp/B000V53KD8?SubscriptionId=19BAZMZQFZJ6G2QYGCG2&tag=Squid744368-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B000V53KD8

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Very cool....must check out! Thanks.

jaz050465

Get the STRIIV free app. It's not very accurate without the Play pedometer but I use the challenges to motivate me to get walking in the evening- imusecmynFitbit to count steps all day.