How to get 10,000 Steps on a Road Trip
Our family loves our Fitbit and are pretty competitive when it comes to getting at least 10,000 steps every day. My son is on a 2 year streak; my daughter over a year and I’m building my streak back up with 7 weeks. When life is in a routine at home, it’s a bit easier to reach the 10,000 goal each day but when we are on vacation or taking a road trip it takes a bit more determination. Here are some tips to help make sure you get your 10,000 steps on a road trip.
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How to get 10,000 Steps on a Road Trip
Why 10,000 steps?
It’s not that we think 10,000 steps a day will magically make us healthy, but it is a goal that helps ensure we are up and active each day. Most people average about 2,000 steps per mile. That number is totally subjective based on each person’s stride but a goal of 10,000 steps means that you have walked approximately 5 miles a day. We set our goal at 10k steps to remind us to stay active.
Tip: If you have a Fitbit and find that 10,000 steps a day is too much for you to hit, then adjust your goal so you can have a more attainable number to achieve each day. You can always stretch it back out when you get comfortable with that number of steps.
Tips to Help Hit Your Goal
When you are on a road trip it is harder to hit your goal because you spend so much time sitting in the car. But that’s no reason to miss a goal.
Walk at Rest Areas
When you see a rest area, park a little farther away from the restroom so you have to walk a bit more. Then take a loop or two around the Visitors Center. This gives you fresh air, a chance to stretch your muscles and add up some steps before getting back in the car.
Take the Stairs
When you get to the hotel at night, take the elevator the first time because you will probably have your hands full with your luggage and pillows. But then take the stairs back down when it’s time to go out for supper.
If you need an extra towel, don’t call the front desk. Instead, jog down the stairs and get it yourself. Want a cup of coffee? Since most hotels have hot coffee available 24/7, just run down and pick up a fresh cup. This gives you steps and a little aerobic activity at the same time.
Get out at every stop
When you pull off the interstate to get gas, never stay in the car. Make it a habit to always get out and throw away trash, walk through the gas station at least once to pick up ice or use the restroom. You may only get a few steps at each stop, but they will add up.
Use the Fitness Rooms
Most hotels have onsite fitness rooms with treadmills or eliptical machines. When you get checked in, put on your tennis shoes and run down to get a few extra steps on the fitness machines.
Swim a Lap
Swimming is not the same as getting steps but it still burns calories. We have been known to let the kids or me add in steps after we do some relays in the pool at the hotel. Swimming at the pool on road trips is not just sitting still and splashing in the water. We use it as an opportunity to burn some calories and get our heart pumping.
**Just log in to your fitbit on the computer, go to activity and add in some bonus steps after finishing some relays in the pool.
We know that we’re not going to be magically healthy because we hit 10,000 steps every day, but we also value the benefits of staying active even on a road trip. How do you make sure you stay active when you spend long hours in the car on a vacation?
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