Walking
Walking is a great way to improve and maintain health over your lifespan. Walking 10,000 steps per day has been shown to lower risk of death from cancer and cardiovascular disease, along with reducing dementia risk.
Walking 10,000 steps everyday can seem like a daunting task, especially if you are way below this. It may also seem like a big time commitment that is hard to fit into your busy day. I’m going to give you a few tips and tricks to increase your steps.
Track your steps. It’s hard to increase your steps if you don’t know how many you are getting in the first place. There are many watches that can count your steps like a fitbit or apple watch. There are also apps you can get on your phone that will count your steps. Google fit is the one I use, but they all work.
Increase your steps gradually. If you are currently getting 3,000 steps and jump up to 10,000 you might be sore or get injured. Instead try to increase by 500-1000 steps per day. Give yourself several weeks to adjust to the new amount before increasing again. This gradual increase in steps will get you up near 10,000 steps per day within a few months and keep you feeling good in the process.
Add in a walk after meals. Starting with a short walk after one or more of your meals is a great place to start getting more steps in. 5-10 minutes is a good time to start with and doesn’t require a big time commitment. Walking after eating is also a great way to manage your blood sugar!
Short walks. Short walks throughout the day add up over time. It can be as simple as parking a little further away, or making an extra lap around your living room when you get up to go to the bathroom.
Incorporating these tips to increase your steps and improve your health.