Walk More: Tips to Boost Your Step Count and Fitness

Walking is the most underrated form of exercise. It doesn’t require special equipment, and there’s no training needed. Walking zones in on fat burning levels of exercise. You don’t have to pay a workout membership fee. It only costs your time and effort. 

Still, many people are not walking enough. We’re chained to desk jobs and stuck in traffic. By the time we get home, family or friends want our time or we fall on the couch and flip on the television because we’re too tired to do much else. The vicious cycle of sitting too much is literally killing us. Even small increases in moving can help. 

Image by Daniel Reche from Pixabay

Why Walking is Important to Your Health

Fitness level doesn’t matter as much when it comes to walking. We’re not talking about hitting the marathon circuit or maxing out in a weight room. Even the most sedentary person can walk their way to a healthier life because walking has major health benefits.

• Burn calories with each step you take. 

• Walking just thirty minutes a day, five days per week reduces your risk for heart disease.

• Get moving after you eat to lower your blood sugar levels. 

• Your knees and hips will thank you because walking reduces joint pain and can help prevent arthritis.

• Walking increases oxygen flow and levels of certain hormones to give you an energy boost.

• If you’re feeling down, a quick walk can boost your mood. Regular walks can improve your overall mental health.

Tips to Fit More Steps in Your Day

Walking is free and easy. Even toddlers can do it. You can make it a family affair, greet neighbors, soak in vitamin D, enjoy nature, etc. With so many pluses, we’ve got some simple tips to squeeze in a few extra steps here and there. 

• At the grocery store, do an extra lap around the outer aisles.

• Choose the restroom on the other side of the office instead of the one nearest you.

• Take the stairs whenever possible.

• Park at the back of the lot to grab some extra steps.

• Get on and off public transit at an earlier or later stop.

• Set an alarm to get up and move every hour or two, even for a few hundred steps.

Walking Counts for the Texas Community Challenge

You don’t have to do this alone. Find support from your community and help Plano win the Texas Community Challenge. Join up and start tracking your activity – give Plano the boost we need! Currently, Plano is in fourth place in the large city category.