Work smarter – not harder – to reach your recommended daily step count
We all know we need to get those steps in, but do you know why? ‘Walking 10,000 steps daily – around four to five miles – could help you live longer, according to research,’ says personal trainer Chris Ruxton, advisor to Deep Heat and Deep Freeze*. For every 2,000 you log, up to 10,000 a day, your risk of early death drops by between 8-11%, one study found. But when life gets busy, it’s far easier said than done, so here are some ideas to help you fit those extra steps into your day, every day. They’ll rack up in no time!
1 EMBRACE DETOURS
Heading out? Rather than taking the shortcut, opt for the scenic route. And this goes for shorter trips, too. For example, use the bathroom on a different floor.
2 SET A REMINDER
More often than not, we simply forget to cram in our 10k steps. Work, family, friends... We’ve always got a lot to think about, right? So set a few alarms on your phone each day to remind yourself to get up and stretch your legs.
3 HOP OFF EARLY
If you often take the bus, train or Tube to get from A to B, get off one stop early and walk the last leg of your journey. Or start by walking to a stop further from home.
4 SHOP OFFLINE
Instead of doing an online shop, get walking through the supermarket. Mix up your shopping list so you’re spending a little more time hunting for what you need.
5 WAIT AND WALK
Whether it’s the kettle boiling or an appointment, don’t just stand there – have a wander!
6 TAKE THE STAIRS
We know, you’ve heard it a million times, but think how many steps you could rack up by ditching the lift.
7 BE SOCIABLE
Instead of meeting up with your friends in a cafe, get a coffee to take away and go for a stroll together. Or you could even offer to walk a friend or neighbour’s dog to really ramp up the step count.
8 GET THE JOB DONE
It might not be great fun, but get the vacuum out! And while you’re at it, head outside and give the car a good wash – surprisingly, it can really boost your steps.
9 WALK IN AD BREAKS
Make the most of breaks during your favourite TV show by getting moving. The same goes for computer screen breaks, too. Aim to move every half an hour.
10 GOSSIP ON THE GO
Take your weekly catch-up with a friend to the next level by getting up off the sofa, plugging in some earphones and pacing around the house while you’re at it.
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