Hey Cuties,
We are weeks into spring and summer is on the horizon. Did you create your summer body this winter? I didn’t, I ate all of the things, I rocked my big sweaters and I lived for the moment. I saw people on social media getting their work out on but that meant nothing to me. I’m just not that type. Babe started doing the Insanity workout again and I sat on the sofa in the basement and watched him work out while eating a big bowl of ice cream. #TrueStory
Last year I was on a mission to work out. I started out doing a dance workout and it was short lived. I had no true motivation, not even the gut that had become a muffin top was enough for me to stick with it.
Earlier this year I won an uber cute Kate Spade Fitness Tracker while at the Washington Auto Show. I set it up and became addicted to tracking my steps. Prior to that, I was just stepping with no purpose. My goal was a modest 5,000 steps a day, and I didn’t always make my goal. This desk job of mine makes it real easy for me to remain in a seated position most of my day.
Designed by: MimiCuteLips in a past life
On April 27th, I joined my girlfriends in a Step War, and my life was forever changed.
My first submission was 6,168, I met my personal girl but it was a joke up against the other submissions of 19,056 and 12, 208. I don’t know if they were running miles or what but they could hit my little 5,000 steps in their sleep. As a result, I bumped my step goal up to 8,000 steps a day.
I’ve been crowned Step Wars Queen for the day.
Rules of Engagement: This is a daily step war, at the stroke of midnight the slate is wiped clean and we start over. Everyone has their own individual step goal but the ultimate goal is to get the most steps out of everyone in the group. (Five ladies total including thine-self.) You must share your step count from the previous day but Noon on the current day for it to count. A simple screen shot is all it takes. The person with the most steps for the previous day is crowned the winner. This crowing situation can get out of hand as you see.
The first time I got the crown I was super excited to stunt on the ladies but I was proud that I put in legit work. These broads don’t make it easy and that pushes me to work harder.
ALL TIME BEST! 21,009
Listen, Linda, I didn’t come to play I came to slay. Here what I say when I say it. I am currently wearing the crown AGAIN after earning a vicious step count on Monday.
Last Thursday LittleCuteLips and I were out and about having fun at the Cars 3 Road to the Races Tour and at some point, I realize I lost my fitness tracker. OH, MY GOSH! I was devastated, I had to cancel all life goals until further notice. Three days later I had researched and decided on a replacement. I went with the Fitbit Flex 2, it was on sale everywhere + Target discounts it cost a little more than $50. Now I also have Fitbit friends to help me to stay focused. Speaking of wearing a fitbit, you can now match your fitbit and outfit with a band from Mobile Mob . So no matter what versoin of the watch you have, you may be able to find a way of switching things up once in a while!
I bumped my step goal up to 10,000 steps a day. This time around I am more cautious about my exercise routine. This allows me to be more realistic in my approach and I’m happy to report *Big Dramatic Drum Roll* I am doing it, have been doing it and sticking with it. Because I lack self-motivation in this area securing accountability partners has been monumental Also I hate to be a loser. Did you peep my progressions? 5,000 steps to 8,000 steps to 10,000 steps. Obviously another factor of being careful is protecting my body while I make progress. Fitness Sleeves are a good example, to keep my joints and muscles secure and safe from injury when exercising. They even do Fitness Arm Sleeves for Arthritis and Fitness Arm Sleeves for Tennis Elbow too so no matter what state I am in, I can have pain free exercise! Anyway, that’s besides the point. The point is to keep your body healthy and safe and don’t push it too far! As long as you have the motivation, like I’ve desperately been trying to, you will get there in the end.
Tip #1 Get a fitness tracker: If your budget doesn’t allow for a purchase than they have apps for that. I’m an iPhone user and my phone came with the Health app. During my crisis, I used that to gauge my steps. This app will only track your steps if your phone is on your person. If you are shopping for a device good luck, it can be overwhelming. Figure out what you want to track and then locate a device within your budget that at a minimum has those features. You don’t need all the bells and whistles if you aren’t going to use them.
Tip #2 Get to stepping: It is that simple to get moving. I also found that the easiest way to encourage myself to get out was to put on my favorite training outfit – this really helped to get me off the sofa. There are so many tracksuits for women out there now, get looking!
Tip #3 Get Creative: Instead of standing in one spot to brush your teeth pace the floor. If your kid is doing sports get your steps in while they are at practice. While LittleCuteLips is in gymnastics I walk around the parking lot. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Park at the back of the parking lot instead of right up on the door. (Your vehicle doors will thank you.) Put on your jam and dance like nobody is watching. If you are a SAHM strap the baby to your chest and get your salsa on. If you have toddlers on put on Kids Bop and dance around. They can get in on the fun as well.
Tip #4 Get Accountability Partners: I have four ladies in my Summatime Fine group, they hold me accountable daily. I also joined a fitness group on FB. They aren’t as aggressive as my girls but certainly another motivator to keep me moving. I have Fitbit friends and that is another way to keep me accountable. Plus, Mom & Babe also have step goals, so the revolution is being televised.
Tip #5 Set Goals: Gauge how many steps you average on a regular day. Then set your goal a bit higher. Once you hit your goal consistently set a higher goal and continue.
Bonus Tips: Set reminders on your phone and or fitness tracker every 30 to 60 minutes to get up and get stepping.
How do you get your steps in? Chat with me in the comment below or FB, IG or Twitter.
I wanna do this! Im much like you, I would rather be enjoying my food than doing anybody exercise. A step challenge would definitely motivate me to at least walk around the house and outside. Baby steps.
Go for it, if you have a Fitbit add me as a friend and we can track one another.
Those little fitness trackers can be addicting!
I have a fitbit charge 2 and we aim for 10K steps a day.
Usually, we take at least 1 3k walk a day but some days it’s just not so easy!!
They totally are Heather.
That is awesome.
That is incredible, I need to be like you.
Awesome!! Keep up the good work! I think that it is very important to have people work with you to keep you motivated!!
Thanks Jennifer, I’m exercising on my own but not alone. It is the perfect combo.
Clearly you didn’t come to play and we need to keep an eye on your step shenanigans. With that said… I’m wearing the crown on tuh-day ma’am! ?
Hahhahahaha Thanks your Royalness.
A fitness tracker is a must! I have a Fitbit, and I love it. It really keeps me motivated.
Yay Stacie!
Sounds like you’re kicking butt. Fitness trackers are the way to go if you’re serious about getting moving. They keep you motivate, and they help you have a clear idea of what you’ve accomplished.
Yes Bill, otherwise I had no way to monitor my daily activity.
I love the work that you’ve put in! I think it’s motivating to see how many steps you doing today. I think it keeps you wanting to top yourself the next day to see if you can take at least one step more.
Jeanette, that is exactly what it is doing. Before I know it my Beyonce body will be ready.
Congrats to you, your highness! 😉 I try to go walking a few times a week. I need to do more for sure.
Thanks Stacie for your royal compliment. Get up and get moving girl.
I used to love tracking my steps with my FitBit and competing with my friends. Now I have an Apple Watch and that feature doesn’t exist and it sucks.
Ada, find a way to share your steps with them another way.
Having accountability partners, or in this case, opponents is definitely a big help. It makes you want to do more so you can show off your win!
*types while walking?*
Hahahahaha indeed it does.
I get my steps in by walking around our complex each morning. Our complex has about 200 apartments, so it’s a long walk starting at one end of the complex and working towards the other. That’s the only way I seem to get my steps in.
Nice Sarah, keep it up.
Keep up the great work! And … OMG I want those converse!!! Even your sandals are super cute!
Thanks Joely. I love to DIY up some stuff.
I have a Garmin VivoFit and I love it!! It definitely makes me get up and move!!
Go Ricci, get your steps in.
Congratulations! I used to walk 2-3 miles four times a week, but stopped when I got too busy with work. Now, I am overweight again. I need to get back on track!
Maybe you can get that old thing back.
Awesome! This is a good tips. Great job!
Thanks Victoria.
Wow, you are really rocking it! There’s nothing like a competitive challenge to get me up and moving.
Right Marcie, had I known I would have done this a long time ago.
I have the same fit bit. I love that I can wear it in the water especially since I do a lot of swimming. I’m HORRIBLE with keeping up to 10k steps and usually make it to 4-7k on a regular day. I need to do better. lol
Nice, swimming is an excellent way to exercise.
I don’t wear any fitness tracker. Yours look so cute. I need to start walking and running to burn some calories.
You totally should Rika, burn those calories.
haha, I love the blinged out shoes and the bracelet charms are awesome! I need to get me one of those fit bits too.
Thanks Jenny, Fitbit has taken over.
I’ve been using a Fitbit on and off for the last couple of years to track my steps and encourage myself to move more. It definitely has prompted changes in some of my habits like talking the longer route to a part of my work building so I can get more steps in. I don’t know how some people end the day with upwards of 50k steps but I feel so good when I reach my 10k goal 🙂
Marsha, that little makes a big difference. I park way in the back of the parking lot and take the steps more often.
Great Tips! I haven’t been wearing my FitBit Alta like I should be but I think this motivated me to get going again! Congratulations on becoming the queen for the day!!
Get in the game girl, you are missing good steps. Thanks!
This is great and perfect motivation to get me started! I have been trying to workout more!
Melissa, this is the easiest way to do it.
I like how you told the story of your progression. I did the same. This will be the first week I plan to get 10,000+ steps everyday. I’m excited.
Im on the fence about a cute tracker…..i use my Samsung Galaxy S-Health App and it works just fine. The other part of me wants an Apple watch… *sigh* consumerism.
Hahahaha Faizah. I hate that I have to charge another device. That annoys me the most which is why I will probably never own a smart watch. They are cute though.
I loved that you crowned yourself Queen of Step Wars for the day. I am so happy you are achieving your step goals I need a fitness tracker to start doing it too!
Thanks Kiwi, yes girl. Get in on the action and get moving.
Love your tips. I just started walking again. This morning I did 2.2 miles. I plan to walk again tonight. It’s Florida, so in the summer we can only walk EARLY in the morning or right at dark! lol
Mary you are off to a great start.
I love my fitbit and do a weekly work week challenge. Tomorrow is Goal Day and you can get a special badge! By the way, love the blinged out shoes 🙂
Nice Aija, thanks.
Fitbit competitions save / ruin my life lol. I get super obsessed with winning but I was super fine. I need to get back in the habit!
That is me pretty much, I was fine without it. But now, I just want to win honey. hahahaa
love that they make fitbit /fitness trackers nice looking! It looks sleek and does it’s job tracking steps etc… It looks good with your charm bracelet that I want and your bling shoes that I ALSO want …ha!
They really do, they have really nice accessories as well. Hahhahaa, Thanks Eloise.
This is great! Thanks for sharing! Maybe I should try and track my steps too! Congrats btw! And thank you for the tips!
Thanks. Try tracking your steps and see how well you do on a daily basis.
I would love to get a fitness tracker! I’m always curious about how much I walk at the airport!
Shannon, you can start by using the fitness/health apps that come on your cell phone.
I have a Fitbit and I like it. I’m tracking my steps but need to get more creative in order to increase my count. Your tips are great. I hope to add a few of your suggestions into my routine.
Thanks for sharing.
Aww shucks now, go for it Ramona.
How do I get in on the step wars Mimi?
Join the FB group, it is called “Walking to be Healthy”