Many of us are facing a conundrum. According to the 2021 ParticipACTION Report Card on Physical Activity for Adults, 79% of us say we want to be more active. But it can be a challenge to get moving and motivated with busy schedules and competing priorities. Integrating more steps into your daily routine is one simple way to get moving. Moreover, research suggests that tracking steps can give us an extra edge when we want to establish a more active lifestyle.
Here’s why tracking steps can help you get more active:
1. Setting step goals is straightforward and measurable
Tracking steps is simple, straightforward and effective. It’s in our nature to feel inspired by progress that we can measure. Tracking steps sparks that extra ‘umph’ that comes when we tune into our competitive sides – whether we compare step counts with friends and family or simply monitor our own personal bests. And we don’t need a complex tool to do it. Research suggests that if it tallies your steps, it will boost the odds that you’ll move more. One study found that using a step counter increased movement in inactive people by about 2,500 steps a day! You can track your steps with a free smart phone-based app, a simple pedometer or a wearable device.
2. It helps us be more mindful of our sedentary time
Tracking how much we move can also help us tune into how often we’re sedentary. According to the 2021 ParticipACTION Report Card on Physical Activity for Adults, more than half of us say that our time spent being sedentary and on screens has spiked. On days when your step count seems stuck, get creative – blast your favourite playlist and bust a move, or get outside and active with friends. You may find that scrolling and streaming are a little less enticing when compared to this newfound fun and soaring step count.
3. We get frequent bursts of achievement
The satisfaction of reaching, or even exceeding, your step count goal feels good. When we feel more fit, our confidence levels soar. Ensure your step goal is attainable and realistic so you can reap the feel-good effects of reaching it.
So, this spring, kick-start a more active routine by setting a daily step goal. Make tracking steps even more fun and effective by recruiting friends, family and colleagues to set goals alongside you. Happy tracking!
