increasing your steps

Today I ask you to reflect - did you get your steps in today?

Walking is one of the most underrated, beneficial forms of movement you can commit to doing daily. It helps maintain your cardiovascular health, clear your mind, and so much more. There are so many benefits.

But if you work an desk job that doesn't require much movement (which I sympathize with), or if you work a job that requires a lot of standing but not moving, you are at a disadvantage to getting your steps in. There's no way around it. This means that you have to put more cognitive effort, or intention, behind getting those steps in.

So how do we do this? Moving when we least want to.

I'm going to give some tough love here. Sometimes, the last thing we want to do is move your body after a long day of work. You're tired, hungry, and there's a that episode of Suits you're looking forward to. I get it. But sometimes, what our body needs the most is what we want the least.

Here are some strategies for getting your steps in:

• Park farther away (yes, seriously)

• Take the stairs whenever possible

• Use part of your break or lunch to go for a walk, even if it's just around your office or in your building/home

• Designate a half hour after work to just going for a walk. Make this a non-negotiable (aka, it is no longer an option not to go for a walk - you have to, the world depends on it!)

• Alternatively, designate a full hour post work for going for a walk. Maybe walk your dog, bring a friend, go to the park, anywhere with anyone works.

• Listen to an audiobook, music, or watch a YouTube video while walking (or that episode of Suits - multitasking at its finest!)

You don't have to implement all of these strategies every day. Just three days a week will help immensely, especially to start!