How can I increase my steps when I drive a lot for work?

[Kjsimmo]

Hi. I drive a lot for work, usually 3-4 hours a day, then spend the rest of the day in meetings. How can I increase my daily steps?

[SunsetRunner]

It's not always easy but scheduling some "me" time might be the way to get yourself going. If you are used to following schedules like for your meetings and allotting time for travel then schedule in time for walking, running, or whatever.

If it's important enough to you, you will make the time available and you will find ways to stick to it.

Still there will be times that you falter or situations will conspire to throw you off your plan. Just deal with it, reschedule and get back on. No different than missing a meeting due to traffic or other circumstances beyond your control.

[vineviz]

I find it helpful to look for a parking spot as far away as practical from the entrance to the building.  That way, I'm getting a couple of minutes of extra walking each time I take a car trip. This works for shopping, rest stops, etc.

Taking the stairs instead of an escalator or elevator helps get a few extra steps in, which is nice, as does taking the long route from the conference room to your office or to the restroom.

Little changes like this can easily get you an extra 2,000 steps per day or more without having to carve out a block of time to 'work out'. Plus, the extra steps will increase your heart rate and possibly your productivity.

[Reinhartz]

You can try training at home , or walk at home or walking on the spot .

Based on my experience , with slow pace , you can get about 5000-6000 steps / hour , and with fast pace maybe arround 6000-8000 steps / hour.

I Had the same problem as you do , I'm Office Worker , i Drive Car to office , and the traffic jam in my city is nightmare 🙂 

But i can make average 18k/day , Usually I Wake up in 05:00 AM in the morning and do a little jogging , and another jogging when i Came Back From Office at 18:30 PM

You must make commitment with your body at least 1 hours / day and try that for a month , and you will feel the difference 🙂

When you want a to imrpvoe the intensity of your training at home  ,

try this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYuw4f1c4xs

and you will get very very sweaty and almost +/-5000 steps in 45 minutes ( Based on my personal experience )

[DanielleinDC]

As others have said, park further away from the building and take the stairs if possible (and if there's an escalator, it's okay to walk up or down it; it's practically a way of life in DC). I get up a bit early to do two 15-minute fitness walk videos, which gets me around 3,000 steps before 6:30.  If you stop at a grocery store, park further away. If you can, carry your grocery bags in your hands instead of pushing them in carts; it won't get more steps, but it will be a bit of strength training (although having to return the cart will give you more steps).

[MarciM]

Consider taking 1:1 meetings as a walking meeting. If you are on a conference call in your office alone, stand up and walk in place or pace around the room if you have space. You'll be surprised how many steps you can add by doing those small things and it will help activate your brain. 20 min of walking has shown to activate your brain, which makes it easier to problem solve and to deal with stress.