Beat Yesterday

I love this phrase from Garmin.  They used this hashtag in their advertising for their running watches and fitness trackers.  You don’t need to go out and hit 10,000 steps tomorrow if you are only doing 3,000 today.  There are studies that show a certain number of steps a day will reduce risk of some diseases, but the goal for me has always been to improve a little more than the day before.  In 2022 The Lancet Medical Journal looked at 15 studies that included over 50,000 people.  The researchers found that just 6,000 to 8,000 steps a day was associated with a 40%-50% lower risk of premature death compared to those taking fewer steps. daily was associated with a 40-50% lower risk of premature death compared to those taking fewer steps.  

For most people to hit your step goal you don’t need to make a big plan.  I incorporate steps whenever I can.  I will park my car in the back of the parking lot at the store.  Bonus tip: usually the back of the lots have trees and can provide shade for your car in the summertime.  We will also plan casual walks after meals.  On Sundays there are a few different restaurants we will go to for lunch after church.  Almost all of them are near shopping centers and after eating we will walk around the stores for 20-30 minutes.  Bonus points on this because walking after a meal can help with digestion and blood sugar balance.  

I also like looking at goals in a broader context.  Beating yesterday's number is great but it is just one number compared to the previous.  Don’t just focus on the micro of daily numbers, also look at the goals of the macro, week to week and even month to month.  So much can happen in a few days and throws off your numbers.  An example of this is when I am traveling for work it can be difficult to get my steps in.  Sometimes I spend a few hours in the car at a time.  Other days I am able to work from the home office, and I will take calls outside in my driveway, walking the whole time.

What are some ways that you incorporate walking into your day to day?    

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