7 Practical Ways To Find Time To Get Out And Walk More

You've probably heard that getting up a little earlier can help you fit a daily walk into your schedule. However, if your day already starts before the sun rises, that option might not be ideal. But that doesn't mean you can't find time to get out and walk a little more. Check out these (practical) tips to fitting in a walk into your busy schedule:

Bring a friend

If you know that there's someone else expecting you to join them for a walk, it won't be as easy for you to skip out. Coordinate your schedules to find a time that works for the both of you, whether that's during lunch, right when the work day ends, or when the hubbies come home from work and can take over the kid's bedtime routine. Make the plan and stick to it!

Bring the kids

Little family walk these evening ❤ first time trying out her smart trike. #walk #familywalk #smarttrike #1yearold #16monthsold #snowsuit #hat #winter #joules #joulessnowsuit #bobblehat #floral #family #daughter #smile #happybaby #growinguptoofast ??"�?"?

A photo posted by Vicky Spalding (@xvickysx) on Jan 18, 2017 at 9:13am PST

Don't let having kids become a reason you can't get your exercise. If anything, having kids should help you go out and walk more. Put your infant in the stroller, and let your toddler ride their bike alongside you. If you're worried about your kids speeding off ahead of you, let them play in the backyard while you walk a few laps around the lawn.

Consider a gym membership

If you're not up for walking outside during the cold winter months, many gyms have indoor tracks. Consider signing up for a membership, or seeing if you can access a local school gym for free to get your steps in.

Make it a date

Hayley & I finally got our calendars in sync to have this Wintery couple shoot she won in a competition on my Facebook page. We had our fingers crossed for snow but the fog turned out to be even better. Lovely to meet you both!

A photo posted by Heather Winstanley (@hwinstanleyphotography) on Jan 18, 2017 at 11:18am PST

Take a stroll in the park with your significant other. If you aren't able to find time away from the kids, bring them along! Let them play on the playground while you walk around the play area with your mister. Even if he had something else in mind for date night, get to movie theater early to make a few laps before you movie starts - holding hands is mandatory, of course.

Realize that any amount of time spent walking is beneficial

Only have 10 minutes between finishing that load of laundry and picking up the kids from school? Take a quick walk around the neighborhood! Try fitting in a quick walk whenever you can and see how many steps you can get in a day.

Set a schedule

?18.01.17? . Hey guys, yesterday I bought some new things at the stationery. I couldn't control myself (?) and I'll show you latter at my snapgram ?. Have you all a good day! . . #study #schedule #scheduleoftheday #handwriting #paper #bic #pen #notebook #stationery #desk #mydesk #organization #aloucadapapelaria #cronograma #letras #papel #canetas #mesadeestudo #mesa #meucantinho #organizacao

A photo posted by Mi Studies (@mi_studies) on Jan 18, 2017 at 6:32am PST

Start small. Try scheduling one 15-minute walk once a week. After you've done this for a while, you can bump it up to walking more often or for a longer amount of time. Beginning with a smaller goal can help you be more motivated to start in the first place. If the task is too daunting at first, it might discourage you from even trying.

Take the stairs

Take the stairs, don't take the closest parking space, walk your child to school instead of carpooling, take an extra lap around the grocery store while shopping, walk to a coworker's desk instead of sending an email - whatever works for you.

Get more steps in because walking just isn't good for your body - it helps your brain as well. Boost your creativity by walking so whether it's indoors or outdoors, find time to stretch your legs, get your brain working, and take a walk.