Many of us live sedentary lifestyles with little functional movement. For busy moms, it might feel like you’re on your feet all day as you care for your family and run errands, but the reality is that you’re probably not getting enough movement to stay fit and lose weight.
For those who work outside of the home, in the mornings you might get up, grab some coffee and then sit in front of the computer, at the table or on the couch. Then it’s time to get ready for work and you’ll drive in the car to get there. The next eight hours is spent sitting at your desk. Then it’s time for the drive home.
If you need some motivation to get moving, a pedometer is a great way to move around more and boost weight loss efforts. A pedometer will keep track of how many steps you’ve taken throughout the day. They’re easy enough to find online.
There’s several different types, some will clip to your pants or bra, and others you can wear like a watch. But before you go out and buy a new device, check your smart phone. Many of the newer smartphones have pedometers built in. If you carry your phone around with you at all times, this is an optimal way to track your steps and your activity level without having to invest in yet another electronic device.
How to Use a Pedometer to Lose Weight
Begin by tracking your normal level of activity. Just go through your usual routine and note how many daily steps you take. Track it for a week and come up with a daily average. Write that number down and take note. Chances are it will be well below the recommended 10,000 steps per day. For some, it may even be less than half that number.
Consider it a starting point!
How to Get Your 10,000 Steps Per Day
Your next goal is to increase your average by 1,000 steps per day. Look for ways to start increasing your steps throughout the day. Here’s a few ideas:
- Park further away from the store.
- Play with your kids when you go to the park…don’t sit o the phone!
- Take a 10 minute movement break while you watch TV.
- Play actively with your pet.
- Do some yard work.
- Use the steps when they’re available.
- Stand up and do a few squats every hour.
- Do some yard work.
- Jump on a trampoline.
- Turn on some music and just dance!
Getting more active is very doable for anyone and using a pedometer can help you to boost your activity levels. Just get more intentional about it and you’ll be surprised at how many steps you might be able to work in!
I have recently started using a pedometer and it really does help. You are definitely aware of how few steps you take.
I love your list of how to get your 10,000 steps per day! As a teacher, I always get mine during end of year testing!
This blog post was awesome! I love having competitions with my family to see who can get the most steps in- that works wonders for the competitive people out there… Thank you for the post!
That will never happen here, unfortunately!
These are great tips! I am going to start parking further away, such an easy idea!
These are great ideas! I am trying to lose some weight and I should try incorporating some of these ideas. I think they would help!
I used to hate the idea of Fitbits or anything that tracks your steps, but ever since I got one, I don’t take it off. I notice such a difference when I hit my 10k every day compared to 4k.