Beginning any fitness plan can be a daunting task. It is easy to put fitness at the bottom of the to-do list when other essential life matters are pressing for a place at the forefront. If you fail to prioritize taking care of yourself, before you know it, you’ll pack on a couple of pounds and could develop chronic fatigue or some other illness. It only takes a few seconds to decide to put your physical health and well-being first. One small step forward can make a huge impact.
Many people have jobs that promote a sedentary lifestyle. I have a job that requires more sitting than physical activity. I would spend most of my time sitting behind the desk, writing, reading emails, and taking calls. Most days, I would eat at my desk and take no time away for a breath of fresh air. On those days that required me to shop for groceries, I would circle the parking lot as often as necessary to find a parking space close to the door. I could list many examples to validate my commitment to a sedentary lifestyle. There is good news: it is relatively easy to get moving by making a few changes in your daily routine.
Park further away from your car. When you drive to the office or the grocery store, you can save time by parking at the end of the parking lot. I assure you that you will find plenty of parking spaces and you will get into the store quicker than the other people who are circling searching for the closest spot. You can purchase a pedometer or use a phone app to track the daily steps, which could motivate you to hit a target number. For instance, if you set a goal to take 5,000 steps daily, that would be equivalent to walking two miles.
Get physical during lunch. Who says lunchtime has to be for eating lunch? You could eat raw veggies and fruit while you take a brisk walk around the office, parking lot, or in the park if you have time to leave for lunch. Walking in the middle of the workday can reduce stress, improve circulation, and enable your body to kickstart an efficient use of energy that can get you pumped up for the remainder of the day. Making this simple change three times a week will, over time, build up your immune system and lower your blood pressure, among other benefits.
Take it up a step. Only some people are as lucky as I am to have stairs to climb at the office. There was a time when I dreaded going up and down those stairs at my office. Eventually, I got used to it, and now I look forward to climbing the stairs because I have increased my overall aerobic ability and strengthened my leg muscles. If you can’t find any stairs to climb, consider using a stair climber at the gym. You could also walk on an inclined treadmill.
Just get to stepping and remember that small steps can significantly impact your life. When I first started, I couldn’t walk to the end of the parking lot behind my house. Often, I would get halfway through and quit. Eventually, I reached the end and moved to the school’s parking lot. Next was down Main Street and back home. If I can do it, so can you. If you would like additional encouragement to get started, email coach@PGF.life
Ronni Walker is a certified personal trainer and nutritionist with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in mass communication. She is committed to helping people transition to and maintain healthy lifestyles through the P.RE.T.T.Y. Girl Fitness project. You may contact by sending an email to coach@PGF.life.
