Keeping busy to keep up exercise: Step Counts

One of the nice things about where I work is that they are associated with Virgin's Health program. You get $$$ for exercising and doing health stuff. And a main part of this is using their pedometer and uploading steps to their portal.

Earning that first $25 just for walking around and logging in was really a kick in the pants (in fact, I think it ultimately helped kick me back here). So I've been trying to keep active since I've come back, and really hit that 7K steps per day minimum they recommend. I've done a 10K average steps per day program. But, in reality, even aiming for 7K is a big deal when you realize that, as a desk worker, I'm probably averaging 3-4K a day, and on the days I work at home, it can be even less!

Anyway, Labor Day here, and my initial thought was to laze around and do nothing, then hit the treadmill later. But it's a beautiful late summer day, so instead, I took my 6 year-old to a farm petting zoo. We had a great time feeding and petting the animals (I loved the Highland cows the best), and I really did walk around quite a bit (over 6K steps already, and the day isn't quite over yet).

We also brought lunch with us to the park. Normally, I just go after the grill food at these places, but I figured that (a) she can be a picky eater and (b) bringing our own lunch would keep me honest. And it does save a few dollars (although the food prices were pretty reasonable). And, frankly, it was much more appetizing to spend those calories on an ice cream treat later in the afternoon. (Yum!)

I'm wiped out. But I feel like I've had a successful day.