If you’re looking to start up a walking routine you may be looking for some new ideas to add in some more steps to your day and reach that goal of 10,000 steps per day! It’s a lot easier than it sounds and I bet you are doing most of these things already!

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Here are just a few of my favorite ways to add in some extra steps (I am loving #6 and #7 and actually find myself looking forward to doing these things!):

1. Walk the entire store. Or maybe do a lap or two around the mall or grocery store before you start shopping. I know it seems counter-productive and it’s exactly the reason we make detailed grocery lists (and then forget them at home), but walking every. single. aisle. will seriously add on to your step totals! And if you step up your walking pace a bit, the time spent cruising the whole store will not really add on any extra time to your errands. I was able to get in about 3,300 steps last weekend just walking Winco, Target, and Walmart!
2. Walk while the kiddos play. Taking the kids to the neighborhood park to play? Instead of just sitting on the bench fiddling on your phone, take a walk around the playground area while the kiddos play. And if you’ve got little ones that still need a watchful eye at the playground at all times, bring along the stroller and take them for a walk before and after stopping in to the play area.
3. Make multiple trips. Carrying groceries in, taking the trash and recycling out to the curb, clearing dishes from the table, putting laundry away, toting items up or downstairs, etc. Again, it sounds completely time-wasting, but making several trips to do the same task will add on to the step counts.  We live on the 3rd floor (that’s 38 steps – up and down!) and I am s-l-o-w-l-y learning to appreciate the added aerobic workout in making multiple trips – especially with my hands loaded with heavy grocery bags!
4. Do it yourself. I usually set the trash bag out by the front door, and inevitably The Husband will come by and grab it to take downstairs to the dumpster. Now, I find myself hollering to him, “No! I’ll do it! Put it down!” as he stands there wondering what in the world….. Ha! Those are precious steps he’s stealing! 😉 Don’t rely on others to take the trash out, vacuum, mow the lawn, walk the dog, or get the mail. If you can manage tasks like these on your own, then do them yourself and rack up the extra steps! Okay, lawn mowing is totally optional.
5. Park as far away as possible. At work, the grocery store, church, the shopping mall – this is something that you just have to retrain yourself on and try to break the habit of searching for the closest parking spot available (and then sitting and waiting 15 minutes for that spot to become available). I am really enjoying pulling into the parking lot and driving to the end of the row and taking the last spot. No waiting around, no wasting gas driving up and down the rows, and the benefit of added steps to the entrance.
6. Take the stairs. Skip the “people movers” (escalators, elevators, moving walkways) and opt for the stairs. You can race your family members (or the random folks still standing waiting for the next elevator) to see who gets from point A to point B the quickest! Winner gets the added steps!
7. Schedule “after dinner” walks with the family. One of the things I loved about spending summers with my grandparents were the daily “after dinner” walks. Every evening, after dinner was finished and the kitchen all cleaned up, my grandparents would take the grandchildren out for a long walk around the town. We visited the local cemetery and heard stories of neighbors and friends, walked over to the new home construction sites, and we always picked up litter and recyclables along the way. This was a wonderful family tradition that kept our relationship growing. It was also great for digestion and it worked up an even bigger appetite for dessert when we got home!

And here are a bunch more EASY WAYS to get in those steps! Do you see any ideas to get in some extra steps throughout your day?

Tip: Leave the remotes for the TV/DVR near the television and walk over to change the channel, turn the power on/off, etc.

Around the House

• If your home has multiple bathrooms, use the bathroom farthest away from you – upstairs, across the house, etc.
• Walk up and down the hallway or around the bathroom while brushing your teeth.
• Take a lap or two around the block or around your apartment complex before getting the mail and after taking the trash out.
• Walk up and down the length of the pool. (Harder to track on a pedometer, but you can count off the length in steps and then just keep track of how many times you walked it.)
• Have a treadmill covered in clothes? Put it near the TV (or place your laptop or mobile device on it) and walk while binge watching your favorite shows or working.
• Vacuum the house.
• Get up during the commercial breaks and walk around the house cleaning up clutter or putting laundry away.
• Take a 15 minute walk before starting the next show while binge watching.
• Play tag, hopscotch, or ‘Red Light, Green Light!’ with your kids!
• Jump rope and ‘travel’ at a brisk pace.
• Sweep the floors.
• Sweep the driveway.
• Take your phone calls on the road. Grab your phone and a hands-free set up and chat while you walk around the neighborhood.
• Rake the yard.
• Mow the yard.
• Walk outside to hang laundry up to dry.
• Walk around your house while chatting on the phone. Pick up clutter along the way for an added bonus!
• If you work from home (or spend long time periods on the computer), schedule a walking break for every 30 minutes of use. Walk to the furthest part of the house, walk around the back yard, or around the block.
• Put on some music and dance while you work around the house cleaning, dusting, sweeping, or vacuuming.

Tip: Take advantage of neighborhood parks and recreation trails.

Around the Neighborhood

• Take Fido on a longer walk or add an extra walk in the morning or evenings. If your kiddos are in charge of this task, join them, or offer to take over for awhile. Don’t have a dog to walk? Borrow the neighbor’s dog!
• Walk over to the neighbor’s house to borrow a cup of sugar!
• Make walking dates with friends. Head to the coffee shop and enjoy catching up while you walk.
• Walk your kids to and from school or to the bus stop.
• Find a community walking club in your town and join others for walks. Try searching for groups on Craigslist, find other ‘walkers’ on Meetup.com, through the American Volkssport Association, or perhaps on the community boards at your local library.
• Join playgroups that offer more physically active events outdoors.
• Offer to rake or mow the yard of a neighbor.
• Take a nature walk and photograph interesting things.
• Walk on over to the nearest school and walk laps on the running track or playground.
• Instead of sitting in your car on your phone waiting to pick up the kids after school, walk around the block a few times.
• Walk the perimeter of the playing field while your kids are at soccer practice.
• Go “yard sailing” on a Saturday morning! Park your car and walk the neighborhood yard sales.
• Kick the soccer ball around the park with the kids.
• Join a “neighborhood cleanup” effort (or start one up!) and walk around your neighborhood cleaning up popular walking trails. Scouting groups typically do this in the spring.

Tip: Leave a pair of walking shoes and a couple of clean pairs of socks at the office or in the car and be ready to get stepping!

Around the Office

• For every 45 minutes of computer work, stop and take a 5 minute stroll around the office or outside.
• Instead of emailing, texting, or calling co-workers all day, take a quick walk over to their office or cubicle and leave a note or chat in person.
• If you are early to a meeting or a conference call, walk around while you wait.
• Ask for walking meetings instead of sitting in a conference room. Walk around the park or the block and get those creative juices (and your blood) flowing!
• Use a small water bottle so you have to get up and refill more often.
• Take ‘walk and talk’ breaks instead of just sitting in the staff lounge or break room.
• Walk to the coffee shop in the morning and enjoy your latte and muffin while strolling around the building outside.
• If possible, walk to a different floor in the building to use the restroom or the break room, or at least take the scenic route to get there.
• Walk out for lunch. Whether to the corner deli or to the park, get out and stretch your legs and clear your head before heading back to the grind.
• Ask your employer about starting up a walking group at work. There may even be company resources available to fund pedometers, install a changing room or showers, etc.

Tip: Arrive 20 minutes early for appointments and walk around the block instead of sitting in the waiting room.

Around Town

• Walk to as many places in town that you can instead of driving or or using public transportation.
• Take the longest route! When walking from point A to point B, take your time and walk as much as possible before arriving at your destination.
• If you use public transportation, hop off a stop or two early and then walk the rest of the way.
• At the gas station, head on inside to pay for your gas instead of just standing there paying at the pump.
• Walk one or two or more laps around the entire store perimeter before you start your shopping and before checking out.
• Head inside the business (fast food places, coffee shops, the bank) instead of using the drive-through window.
• Walk your shopping cart back in to the store instead of just leaving it in the corral or randomly scattered in the parking lot (one of my biggest pet-peeves!). Round one up and gain some steps!
• Walk around the parking lot or around the block while the kids are in dance class.
• Go on ‘touristy’ walking tours and see the local sites. You’ll get in some steps and maybe learn something new about your town.
• Hit the local amusement parks or the zoo. You’d really be surprised at how many steps you rack up in an afternoon chasing the kids around! We got over 10,500 steps in just a few hours at LEGOLand!
• Park once at the shopping center, instead of moving your car from one store to another, then walk back and forth to your car between each store or business you stop into. Bonus: Keeps your hands free for carrying more bags!
• Skip the valet parking.
• Park on the highest level in the parking garage and walk your way down the stairs or through the levels.
• Join the early risers and head to the mall when the main doors open. “Mall Walkers” enjoy power walking laps around the mall before the stores open and the crowds hit.
• Take up a ‘walking’ sport like golf or Frisbee.
• Take a dance class with your husband or girlfriends.
• Sign up for a Zumba or step aerobic class.

Tip: Keep moving even on those moving walkways at the airport!

Traveling

• Steer clear of elevators and escalators if possible.
• Walking briskly to your departure gate or towards the exit (while lugging your luggage) is a great way to boost your aerobic steps.
• Leave your luggage behind and go explore the airport terminal. Either rent a locker or have your travel companions watch your bags.
• Book a hotel room on the second or third floor and then take the stairs up to your room.
• Take advantage of the hotel’s gym facilities and use the treadmill.
• Walk down to the hotel restaurant or around town for meals instead of ordering room service. Cheaper and more steps!
• If you are traveling by car, be sure to stop frequently at rest areas off the interstate and take walking breaks.
• Take long walks along the beach. Walking in the dry sand will increase your walking intensity and burn more calories.

Note: This article is meant as an informational guide and not as medical advice. As always, talk with your health care provider before starting a new physical activity routine. 

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