Csy-Lux

Happy Monday!  I often get asked how I am able to get so many steps in during my workdays, and I wanted to share some of my tips that help make that possible. Honestly, I have always liked being able to get up and move during my work breaks. I sit at a desk all day so it can be mentally overwhelming when I don’t move my body.  If you are OG IG follower, you remember my everyday walks through our local cemetery next to my previous office location. As a busy mom, I love utilizing the time I am normally away from the kids to get that workout in and over with. Here are 5 tips that help me hit 10k steps a couple days a week and continue this healthy habit.

Keep a pair of walking/running shoes at work.

I still wear whatever kind of shoes I want to wear to work!  I leave a pair of active shoes under my desk and change in and out of them. If you don’t have two pairs of shoes, I recommend you bring your pair in the morning and take them home at the end of the day in case you also work out afterward. Having your shoes to change into makes it even more motivating.  

Establish an easy route

I am familiar with the area around my work office, but it took some trial-and-error walks and runs to see how far I could go out and come back with reasonable timing. Start by timing out your first walks. For example, if you want to reach 2 miles on your walks, use a watch or app to see where the 1-mile point is and then walk it back to complete the 2-mile mark. For runs, I change out of my work clothes. I give myself about 5 minutes to change into workout clothes and then time to clean up and change back into my work clothes after. I used to be better at my changing time, but I am getting there again.

Bring snacks and lunch to work

This probably makes the biggest difference from the days when I get my full days movement and not. Days that I bring lunch and snacks for the day are the best. I have the energy from snacking throughout the day and I can eat my lunch before after my run. That way I don’t miss out on my walking or running times to leave work and get food. Prepared me is the best me.

Invite your Coworkers to join you.

I have walking besties and I appreciate them. On days that I want to skip on walks, they motivate me to get those miles and steps in. I hope that I do the same for them on those days that they don’t feel like going on our walks. We catch up on our day, talk about our weekend, and get that exercise in for the day.

Just Start!

You have to START to be able to make it a daily habit! Start today and see how tomorrow it will feel like less of a chore and more part of your everyday routine.

I hope that this year, I can motivate you to choose to move your body over screen time during your breaks as the benefits are not only good for your physical health but also for your mental health in the long run. Let me know in the comments if you are considering incorporating some kind of movement in your days this year.