What's the quickest way to reach 10,000

[jan]

If I want to make sure I get 10,000 steps before bed, what is the fastest way to do this? I know I have to move, but does walking quicker or running lead to more steps at a faster rate than just strolling around?

[Gina]

Walking. If you walk for an hour a day (even 30 minutes in the morning and 30 in the evening) this should help you reach 10,000 especially combined with other steps you take around your home and regularly throughout the day. It's really not hard you just have to move.

[jan]

Thanks Gina! Does anyone else have other tips they might want to add? I'm trying to get a lot of ideas so that I will feel like getting 10,000 is more achievable aside from designated walking times.

[char]

Other ideas include: parking farther away so you have to walk for longer. Taking a bike, walking or jogging to the store, work, school, etc. (whenever it's reasonable and possible). Walking up and down the stairs in your house several times a day. walking on a treadmill as you watch your favorite show or marching on the spot if you don't have one of these machines. The key is to move. Try not to get hung up on reaching 10,000 as much as make an effort to move your body throughout the day.

[Paplo]

The above are all great suggestions. All I want to add is that there's more to getting 10,000 steps than just making sure you get them. The efforts you make to get them matter to how many calories you burn. For instance, you're going to burn more calories walking at a brisk pace than you are at a stroll, even though these will equal the same amount of steps. Getting 10,000 steps doesn't mean that you're burning the same calories all the time. It's still important to get them, but remember that you really need to elevate your heart rate to burn fat.

[tara]

The above are all great suggestions. All I want to add is that there's more to getting 10,000 steps than just making sure you get them. The efforts you make to get them matter to how many calories you burn. For instance, you're going to burn more calories walking at a brisk pace than you are at a stroll, even though these will equal the same amount of steps. Getting 10,000 steps doesn't mean that you're burning the same calories all the time. It's still important to get them, but remember that you really need to elevate your heart rate to burn fat.

Agreed. Getting 10,000 steps is not big. It's how much you actually exercise. For instance, if you get 30 minutes of solid cardio in a day, this might not equal 10,000 steps but it's better for your health and your weight loss goals to get the solid 30 minutes of good cardio than 10,000 random steps accumulated throughout the day from steps that offer you zero benefit. Try not to get hung up on steps. Focus on moving your body and getting your heart-rate up for a minimum of 10 minutes.