How Pedometers Help Increase Your Walking

Sometimes it’s hard to fit in the exercise and walks that we know we have to do. We all have busy lives between family and work and sometimes fitting in that workout isn’t always possible. Realizing that your daily routine includes a lot of movement and activity could help with your motivation aspect.

A pedometer a great tool that you can use to help with your motivation. There are so many different models available today. You can pick up an inexpensive model at your local super store. Or you can choose one like a Fitbit or a Polar that straps around your wrist like a watch. But before you head out to spend any money, check your smart phone. Many models have a pedometer right built in. Just download a free app of some sort and you’re good to go.

How Pedometers Helps Increase Your Walking Activity

The pedometer will track how many steps you take during your day. It tracks how many minutes you’ve spent being active and how many miles you’ve walked, by day and weekly. In other words, it keeps track of how much exercise you get just doing your normal daily activities. The good news is that it doesn’t matter if you head out after work for a 45 minute walk, or if you work out in little spurts here and there throughout the day, any movement is good for you and your activity tracker will capture it.

You can start adding more steps by parking a little further away from the office and walking a bit further. Take a quick stroll during your lunch break. Wrap up your day by walking around the park while the kids play. And just like that you’ve gotten in some exercise without having to block out any additional time.

Give it a try. Put on a pedometer or start tracking with your smart phone and see how much you’re walking around on a daily basis. From there, try to get a little more active each day until you hit your walking goal. For most people, 10,000 steps per day is a good long term goal, but if you’re feeling more ambitious than that, go for it.

Keeping track of your steps is very motivating. Looking at your pedometer and realizing you’re 2,000 steps away from your daily goal may be just the motivation you need to head out for that after dinner stroll. I know my activity level has increased on a daily basis since I hooked up my phone to a walking app. I love it!