If you have a Fitbit, you quickly learned what great deal of satisfaction it was when you first hit that 10,000 step mark, and the device buzzed off of your arm in an unexpected, skipping-a-heartbeat way. After feeling that sense of satisfaction and joy, you started to crave it. With coming back to campus, you either thrived at hitting that goal, or you haven't felt that accomplishing buzz in quite some time.
Now you miss the feeling of it, and you need it back. Here are some simple ways to make sure you reach that goal now that we’re back into the swing of things.
1. Take the stairs
As simple as it sounds, it starts to add up. I lived on the 6th floor of a dorm last year and each day instead of hauling it to beat everyone to the elevators when we got off the bus, I hauled it to make sure I was first on the stairs so I didn’t lose momentum on the hike up! Not only are you getting steps but you’re stair count will be through the roof.
2. Take a walk around campus
Maybe go a different, longer route than normal on your way home. Or, simply take a walk every morning or night to wake up or unwind, respectively.
3. Go to the gym in between your classes
If you’re anything like me, and you have an awkward break between classes where there wasn’t enough time to get home or start anything productive from school, you can always hit the gym and utilize the treadmill to keep stepping.
4. Don't take the bus
Eventually, the sun will shine through the clouds and we will have spring again. This is a great opportunity to skip out on crowded buses and walk to your classes, or your housing if you live on campus.
5. Take baby steps
Though this seems a little pathetic, I’ve come to realize how useful it actually can be when you’re down to the wire. Also, as a person with larger strides, I’m pretty convinced the person with shorter legs has the upper hand here.
6. Park farther away
If you’re choosing to drive instead of just walking to the local store, park in a distant spot. That way, not only are you saving time searching for a spot nearer the store, you're also getting more steps in.
7. Pace back and forth and do jumping jacks
Again, this is a desperate, down-to-the-wire situation, but you can never go wrong with pacing while on that weekly phone call home, or by just doing some jumping jacks in your room to bug the people below you.
