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?

[SIBOR]

that's creative

I put Fitbit One on my wrist band, and while driving I bang my hand on the passenger sit.

I'm wondering whether it's a sort of cheating.

However during 45-55min drive to and from work I manager to burn off 300-400 calories this way

[ac7ss]

I go for a 5 mile walk when I get up in the morning. 🙂

I don't think you are cheating anyone but yourself if you fake your numbers. (Unless you are doing it for a "healthy incentives" type program, then you aren't cheating anyone.)

[Fadi_Malouf]

That's an excellent idea!! I will have to share that with my clients. Thanks!

[Walking_in_heel]

Some people put the FitBit on their dog's collar and sit back with a beer and toss the dog a ball. I seriously question people who have daily steps of 100,000 or more.

[ClueisKeenan]

Like someone mentioned already, they're only cheating themselves.  Personally I'd prefer to Impress people with how healthy i look in person vs. a high online step count.

Having a fake High step count is like having a fake online profile, you can't fool people in person.

[alex45674]

I am horrified to hear that about putting Fitbits on dogs, what on earth is the point in buying a Fitbit and then letting something else do the stepping.  I just don't get it!

[Ali]

I know of three health care profesisonals that regularly get over 100,000 steps in their 12 hour shifts.  Rather than belittling and insulting them we should be applauding them for their incredible efforts.  I know of no one that "cheats".  

[ac7ss]

Nobody says it is not possible or is saying that someone is particular is cheating. 100,000 on a 12 hour shift is averaging just over 2 steps a second. That's my walking pace, quite possible to do. (I never could for more than 2 hours.)
There are just some people that like to get bragging rights for nothing. It's like that show "The points are arbritary and nobody wins anything."

[ac7ss]

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@alex45674 wrote:

I am horrified to hear that about putting Fitbits on dogs, what on earth is the point in buying a Fitbit and then letting something else do the stepping.  I just don't get it!

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Some work places give health insurance discounts if you participate in healthy activities. That would be a reason. (I just texted things like "Jumping to conclusions" and "Bang head against wall" and still 'earned' the top tier coverage.)

[Zee]

I agree with you Alex what's the point and what does anyone get out of cheating. Save the fitbit money and sit on your rump! That makes more sense to me. 😐

[Zee]

Hi Ali, I agree with you as well. I don't know of anyone that cheats either, and I know plenty of people that work hard for their steps. If anyone is cheating I think it's a waste of their time and ours to post the results. Cheating has never crossed my mind until this conversation. Very confusing.

[Zee]

Ac7ss, right what's the point of falsifying results. No one wins anything. 😄

[Zee]

Thanks for this information Alex.

[Fadi_Malouf]

Good point!! I've had clients that are 80+ pounds overweight (mostly in belly) doing ultra marathons. It wasn't until they did weight resistance and got a handle of their eating habits until they saw and felt the result they where looking for. 

[Fadi_Malouf]

Some companies I work with offer money incentives...  

[sun-lover77]

What do you do for a makeshift standing desk?  I would like to do that if I could, but need some ideas!  can you post a picture?  Thanks for the inspiration!

[linamkraw]

well this may sound rediculous but sometimes i put the flex on my leg instead of hand when im at home because i only like walk around at home and i like achieving my goal daily so i go for a walk in the neighbor hood.. it works :)

[sunshine51]

I jog in place all the time - waiting to renew my driver's license, waiting to return an outfit at a store. You get some funny looks but once you explain what you are doing and why people really love it. Oh yes i have walked up and down every aisle in the grocery store and always park far from the store. Amazing how lazy we have become and how we have to create new ways to increase those steps. But walking/jogging is free and it belongs to each one of us. Wow what a gift!

[Lands]

Here in South Africa one of the largest Medical Aid (insurance) providers have a Vitality feature where points are rewarded for various things, like stepping, gym visits, etc. While there is no direct cash back incentives, as one progresses from Blue up to Gold or even Diamond, there are many rewards, and discount structures with accredited partners, so I can see why certain people would be tempted to cheat. Stupid really..

I have seen it on many occasions where  a car pulls up to the gym parking lot, a family member gets out and swipes a handful of gym cards at reception, then leaves. Family workout complete! What they don't realise is they're just cheating on their own health.

On a personal note, I am a fairly new FitBit user and as of today am just 70K steps short of that magic 1st million steps! Makes me just want to get out there and walk this weekend away.. 

Being desk bound the whole day, I battle to hit my target of 10000 daily steps, so have purchased a small home stepper which I use to make up any shortfalls once my gym sessions in the evenings are over.

Six months ago I could not imagine myself stepping while watching TV, I can only thank FitBit for this healthy change of focus!

[Liz_J]

A million steps. That's awesome. I'm still recovering from shin splints and tendonitis in my ankle so very frustrating. I'm only doing 6000-10000 rather than my usual.