How do you get those extra steps in?

[zapleahy]

I live about four miles from my workplace and although I haven't yet walked all four miles to or from work, there are a few games I play during the week to increase my stepcount.

Some days I'll take the hillier, windier, unnecessarily long route to BART (San Francisco's heavy-rail rapid transit system). Almost always, I forgo the escalator for the stairs. Today, that act alone added 5 flights of stairs and over 250 steps to my morning journey.

My other favorite "cheat" is high stepping in place. Sure, I may look a little odd bouncing up and down while typing at my makeshift standing desk, but it feels good to keep the blood flowing and the legs moving! 

What do you do to get your extra steps in?

[Zee]

Good job Get2FitK8, Keep Moving.

[Ali]

Walking the stairwells in my hotel on vacation. Haven't seen anyone else go near the stairs. Everyone rides an elevator even to go one floor. So peaceful stair climbing for me. Keep moving folks.

[Zee]

Hey Ali. I MISS YOU!!!!!! Are you having a blast, are you listening to Happy? It's so good to hear from you

[alex45674]

Go for it Ali!  I did that while we were in New Orleans - our room was on the 10th floor and the gym was on 32!  I walked up and down the stairs to get to the gym.  The staff in the hotel, who were the only people I ever (very occasionally!) passed in the stairwell thought I was barmy!  It really added to the workout though, and loads of stair flights!  Keep stepping all!  I nearly got to 13K steps yesterday and am feeling loads better.  Still sore but certainly improving day on day!  Woohoo!

[Zee]

Alex, almost 13K you Rock, you know that, right? Awesome, I happy that you are getting stronger each day. 💐 these are for you.

[alex45674]

thank you!!!!!  Getitng better day by day and sooo motivated by my friends leaderboard and how many steps everyone is doing!  I am up to number 13 of 40 now 🙂 I was right at the bottom 2 weeks ago and I am working hard.  Legs still have swollen bits and still sore, but feeling soooo much better in myself and hoping running is not far away! Havbe a great day Zee keep climbing and stepping 🙂

[alex45674]

Please would everyone take a look at this site - brilliant challenge starts on Sunday and I am helping to promote it!  http://www.5x50.org/

You can sign up there, and then either walk, run, jog, cycle or whatever you like for 5km a day for 50 days - proceeds to Sport Relief (you pay a small donation to sign up but you don't need to get sponsorship to do the challenge, although of course you can for ANY charity).

Log the miles on the website and have fun joining in.

This is the 3rd year the challenge has run, and I always have great fun.  Hoping to be able to run mine but the first few days might be run/walk 🙂

Thanks! xx keep stepping

[Phiyk]

I'm new to all this and have signed up for the 5x50 challenge! Hopefully I can make it every day 🙂

[alex45674]

Thanks for signing up! You can do it, you know you can. Hope you have a great time 🙂 xx

[Zee]

Alex, your numbers are looking great. I am so excited about how you are coming along, keep moving my friend.

[alex45674]

Oh thanks so much Zee!  I am trying to build it up but it is all so tiring 😞 most annoying.  Baby steps though.  I did the first day of the 5x50 Challenge today - I walked most of the 5km but I decided today was the day to try running a bit!  I managed (in sections of a minute here and and there) 0.55 miles of gentle running.  Woohoo!  My shins still hurt but the crucial thing is that my knees don't.  They were heavily bruised and painful and I was very worried about long term injury.  My doctor did not think they were a problem but running was the test.  My pace was desperately slow (I don't use that awful word 'jog' but prefer 'plodding' instead!) but hey I can run.  Shattered now though.  Bath, breakfast and a sit down for a while is the next thing.

Have a wonderful day all!  Keep stepping!

[Zee]

Trooper A, also known as Alex, you ROCK! Keep up the good work. I haven't checked out the challenge yet but I will today. I was sick on Friday and in bed all day. Terrible allergic reaction, so I spent most of yesterday making up the steps I missed on Friday as well as taking the steps needed for Saturday, I have more to make up today. But I will getter done'. Southern slang. 😄 🏃🏃🏃🏃🏃🏃. Keep moving everyone.

[Zee]

Phiyk, welcome to the land of fitbit and to the community, you will find lots of support, amazing tips and loads of encouragement. Anything you want to ask feel free to do so, one of us as either asked the same question in the past and/or one of us can answer your question. Keep Moving, you made an excellent decision to get started. Again, welcome!

[Zee]

Hi Alex, I will check out the Challenge today. I am intrigued. Keep moving Trooper A! 🏃🏃🏃🏃🏃🏃

[alex45674]

Sorry to hear you were poorly yesterday Zee!  Keep stepping today, your numbers look fab!  Please do check out the challenge, anyone can still join up to Wednesday 🙂 Really glad to get out there today and do my 5k!  So much motivation here from you thank you for keep me going!! xxx

[Phiyk]

Hi Zee and Alex, thank you for your welcome and encouragement! Even though it's Mother's day I have managed 5k. A long walk to my Brother in laws for lunch and then back again did the trick! 

[Zee]

Thanks Alex, I am so much better now and I am getting those steps in! Keep Moving my friend.

[Zee]

Awesome Phiyk, you'll come up with ways you never thought of before to get those steps in! I am always looking for new ways so that I don't get bored. One of my favorite ways is Zumba, many steps and a great workout too. Are you familiar with the Leslie Sansone workouts on YouTube? Check them out if not. Keep Moving!

[Phiyk]

Thanks Zee, I have just started using Zumba on the Wii as well as the Wii fit plus. My children think it's hilarious and then they join in too. I am quite lucky as I have a fairly active job as a Teaching Assistant in a Reception class but I'm going to have to work hard to get those steps in next week when its the Easter Holidays! I'll look up Leslie Sansone 

[alex45674]

Well done on your steps Phiyk!  I hav ejust come home from a walk up and down the road, and around a mile loop I have near the house, and that got me over the 15K for the day, which I am really pleased about! Every little helps! 

I am still walking very slowly but building up the steps each day and getting my strength back.  Amazing how fast fitness is lost 😞

Keep stepping my friends!  You motivate me more than you know!!!