This week's WOW: Walking!

Each Friday, we’ll have a new Workout of the Week (WOW) for you. We hope you’ll try it out over the weekend and then build it into your daily routine Monday through Friday of the coming week. These workout ideas will be simple, appropriate for people of various ages and abilities, and allow you to fit a little more physical activity into your week!

This week’s WOW focuses on walking. Try walking an extra 500 steps each day this week. Count your steps by using a pedometer, a small device that clips onto your belt—if you don’t already own one, you can pick up an inexpensive one at many mass market retailers. 

If you’re not accustomed to doing too much walking, 500 steps may seem like a big number, but trust us—just start walking, and you’ll reach 500 sooner than you think! Here are a couple simple ideas to get you started:

* Take the kids and/or the dog for an after-dinner walk

* Park farther away from your office building to walk more steps before you start your shift

* On a rainy day, walk briskly through the mall--take the stairs (not the escalator)  to get from one floor to the next!

 

An extra 500 steps a day will add up over time and can help you burn extra calories. If you’re already a frequent walker and 500 isn’t challenging enough, try doing those steps on an incline, or just set your step goal higher.

Want more fitness ideas? If you’re a Health Advocate member with access to the Wellness Coaching program, reach out to your Wellness Coach for more healthy ideas to get—and stay—fit.