How many times could I walk around the perimeter of Target before I looked suspicious?
My world changed the day I got my first Fitbit and began to realize walking was the fitness activity I truly loved. I used to be like most everybody else. I drove around the parking lot to find the closest spot. I cut my lawn on a riding lawn mower. I’d search for the lost remote so I could sit and channel surf.
My first Fitbit was the catalyst for a new life changing perspective. For starters, it engaged my competitive nature. Could I get more steps than my colleagues at work? Could I get more steps than I did yesterday? Suddenly every step mattered.
And, I discovered that every step really DOES matter. I learned that walking is a fitness activity the Centers for Disease Control loves. If you can get about 1,000 steps in ten-minutes the CDC considers that moderate intensity. They recommend between 150-300 minutes of that kind of activity level each week. In other words, a 30 minute walk every day and you’re well on your way to fitness.
With all this extra walking I realized I really do love the activity. Even without the competition and fitness benefits, I would still walk a lot.
But, wait there’s more!
One of the OTHER great benefits of walking for fitness is just how flexible it is. I can walk at anytime and anywhere. I am only limited by my creativity.
It was a cold and rainy day in November. I was picking my daughter up from school, but I was early. I was also in the early months of my 20k One Year Step Challenge. For a full year I publicly committed to reaching at least 20,000 steps every day and posting an update on social media.
I still needed a bunch of steps to hit 20k for the day and I was not feeling the love on going for a walk in the rain when I got home. I was almost at her school when I noticed the Target. In a single moment I realized I could either sit in my car waiting for Emma or I could stop at the Target and walk the inside perimeter of the store.
After the second time around I wondered if someone would notice me on a security camera and get suspicious. That’s when I started going up and down different aisles as if I was looking for something. I even stopped a couple times as if I was checking prices.
That 15 minutes of walking around Target helped me get closer to my goal, but even more importantly it was a better use of time for my health than sitting in the car scrolling Facebook on my iPhone.
Enjoy the flexibility that walking provides. You are only limited by your creativity.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TODAY
If you don’t have a daily step goal, I want to challenge you to give it a try and create a fitness habit. I call it The 30 Day Fitness Challenge. This free guide will walk you through how to get started. It’s very easy.
If you don’t have a Fitbit I recommend the Fitbit Inspire HR. This is the Fitbit I use to track my 20,000 steps a day. The Inspire HR also tracks your heart rate and sleep so you get an even wider picture of your fitness progress.
(By the way…if you use the links in this article to make a purchase this blog will receive a small commission. It won’t add anything to what you pay, but letting you know is the right thing to do)
This blog is designed to help you embrace walking as a fitness activity. It’s sustainable, flexible, effective, and fun. Every week I post new articles with stories and helpful suggestions to Win at Fitness.
If you click FOLLOW (below on your phone…to the right and above on your computer) you’ll receive an email with a link to each new blog post.