6 Tips to Walk 10,000 Steps

In my bid to Have my Healthiest New Year ever  I went on a monthy outing to explore my city, where once a month do something that allows me to see something new and gets me moving.
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So I suckered my friend Dee into this resolution and our first escapade was to walk Mt. Adams steps, which starts down by the Ohio and finishes at Holy Cross Immaculate Church in Mt Adams, which overlooks the Ohio River, Downtown Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

Portions of these steps are a bit famous to Cincinnatians. They are known as “The Praying Steps” because there is an annual tradition which dates back approximately 150 years when the church was first built in 1860 where the faithful begin to gather at the base of the steps leading up to Holy Cross-Immaculata Church, preparing to take part in the tradition known locally as “Praying the Steps.” In fact, if you mention this trek to just about any Catholic in Cincinnati, he or she will have a story to tell.

Though the weather in January here in Cincinnati can be gloomy and frigid, Dee and I got some seasonably warm weather, 43° with blue skies and sunshine.

The goal of this outing was to see and do something new, which is beneficial for our brains and makes us more interesting people, but also to get some beneficial exercise. One of the best ways to stay fit is to keep moving trying to take at least 10,000 steps every day. Walking is simple, free and one of the easiest ways to get more active, lose weight and become healthier.

Walking is an underrated form of exercise, but walking is ideal for people of all ages and fitness levels who want to be more active.

Regular walking has been shown to reduce the risk of chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, asthma, stroke and some cancers. Plus you feel better and when you feel better it affects every other part of your life.  Try to walk 10,000 steps a day. Most of us walk between 3,000 and 4,000 steps a day anyway, so reaching 10,000 isn’t as daunting as it might sound. Adding outings like Dee’s and mine will make the task more enjoyable and will help keep you motivated.  So, get moving and live your life to the fullest, stretching yourself along the way!

Here are 6 Tips to Walk 10,000 Steps each day.

1. Get a pedometer, otherwise how will you know how many steps you have taken?

2. Get up and move every hour. Even just walking to get a cup of water adds steps and keeps you active.

3. Set benchmarks throughout the day, for instance, you should be at around 5,000 steps at 1pm.

4. Park your car at the end of the parking lot when shopping, running errands or going to dinner. You could gain up to 2,000 extra steps

5. Instead of just meeting a friend for coffee, plan to grab your coffee and walk while you catch up.

6. Opt to take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator whenever possible. You will burn a lot more calories and gain strength.