This week, I wanted to share a challenge that I decided to undertake midway through the month!
Halfway through May, I started thinking about making another attempt at achieving 20,000 steps per day.
I previously attempted “Walktober” back in October 2022, but I just couldn’t hit the daily goal.
Well, as I was contemplating this endeavor, I realized that my daily step totals had been pretty close in recent weeks.
When I looked at my FitBit app, I was in fact hitting my 20,000 steps goal nearly every day!
So, effective May 16th, I determined to finish the month strong and aim to hit a minimum of 20,000 steps per day.
How to hit your steps goals
Whatever you individual goal is, walking and moving more is nearly always beneficial.
If you are physically able to push yourself just a bit more, here are some tips to increase your daily step count:
1. Start your day with a walk
This might be my favorite tip. My day always feels more productive if I have started off with a morning walk. I so enjoy the slight chill and crispness in the air, the quiet (even if you’re walking on or near roadways), and the sight of the sun making its ascent.
2. Get into nature
If you’re able to find a local hiking path or wooded walking trail or boardwalk at a local beach, double the benefits by walking in a natural setting. The concept is called shinrin-yoku in Japanese, but whether you are “forest-bathing” in Japan, strolling the boardwalk in a European city, or listening to the chirps of birds in a New England forest, walking in a natural setting is more interesting and enjoyable.
3. Find a friend
I love walking in the early mornings with Robyn and Joy. Sometimes we have much to discuss and pass the time quickly chatting. And other times we are lethargic and walk side-by-side primarily silent. But it’s always nice to have company, it keeps us accountable, and we like to think it protects us from any wildlife that might be out and about at dawn.
4. Listen to audiobooks
Make your walk even more productive by listening to an audiobook. I find that I can absorb nonfiction more readily by listening than by reading, so I often choose books I would be less likely to crack open and read.
5. Remember that small chunks of time matter
Even if you can’t engage in a long daily walk, make us of small pockets of time. Lap the building you work in during lunch, stroll to the end of your block and back while dinner roasts in the oven, or make a few extra trips around your house putting away miscellany and tidying. Every step counts!
/heading How I employed these tips
While I already had a practice of early morning walking and I typically engaged in these walks outdoors whenever the weather permitted, I made a conscious effort to add more short walks and found a friend to walk with during my workday lunch break.
When I was feeling less motivated, I found an engaging audiobook and turned that on to motivate myself to get out the door and take another short walk.
And I also utilized the treadmill. The weather at this time of year can still be uncooperative and sometimes I needed to log a couple hundred more steps late in the evening. If it is too dark or rainy for you to get outside and you happen to have a treadmill, use it!
I have been known to walk laps around my house, however, to get my steps in!
My final stats for May
Steps average
- Week One: 21, 476 steps per day
- Week Two: 21,862 steps per day
- Week Three: 27,724 steps per day
- Week Four: 21,795 steps per day
- Week Five: 26,413 steps per day
My daily steps average overall: 23,072 steps per day
I’d love to hear your tips for walking and moving more. Drop us a comment!