Fitness Tips

How To Reach 10k Steps Per Day Without A Treadmill

When it comes to making any fitness or activity goal happen day in and day out  without fail it’s imperative to be open and creative.  If we think the only way to reach a step goal is time on a treadmill, think again.

What happens if you can’t get to the gym?  Don’t own a treadmill? 

Do these obstacles mean you need to skip getting in your daily steps? 

Of course not.  You have choices.  

Next are a few creative ways to increase your daily step count without access to a treadmill.

  1. Walk outside.  Personally I dress for the weather rain, snow, or shine and make it happen.  Daily outdoor light is a must and why not combine the time with a walk.  Enjoy a podcast, talk to a friend on the phone, or meet up with someone and make the time enjoyable.  My daughter is my step buddy.  We love our walks and talks together. 
  2. Walk inside.  Pace around the house.  Take more laps through the isles in a big box store.  Mall walk.  Take the stairs.  When tidying up at home take several trips instead of one and rack up a few more.  Every extra bit of activity counts. 
  3. Walk in place.  This is my secret weapon and I’ve done it for years and years.  This has been the way I make sure to never miss my daily step goal. I walk in place while watching a show, studying, reading, talking on the phone, and even in between sets during my workouts.  Yes, at the end of a long day I have been known to walk in place to ensure I have those last few steps before diving head first into bed.  Lol!

Make realistic goals, commit, be creative, and then make them happen. You’ve got this!

If you have thought about having me as your coach to support you along your own fitness journey check out the Online Fitness Coaching page on my website for more info and how to inquire about my online fitness coaching service. Receive customized activity and nutrition plans, monthly virtual calls, and weekly email check in’s.

http://melaniewales-sustainableliving.com/online-fitness-coaching/

Follow me on Instagram for evidence based fitness tips, free recipes, and full days of eating.

http://www.instgram.com/melaniewales.sustainableliving

Fitness Tips

Jump Start Guide: How To Create A Sustainable Fitness Lifestyle

It’s the new year and that means many of us are keen to make our health and fitness a priority.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of wanting to do all the things, all at once, and to expect immediate results.

This approach is not sustainable.  What if this year you tried to become consistent with a few basic healthy habits first?

Next are 3 habits you can start today to jump start your sustainable fitness lifestyle.

  1. Create a daily step goal and make it happen everyday.  8-10k is a great goal for long term health.  It doesn’t need to happen all at once.  It’s actually better to include light movement and walking throughout the day.  
  2. Make your first meal of the day (breakfast) contain at least 30g of high quality protein.  Starting with a high Protein breakfast helps you to feel fuller and more satiated for longer. This means you are less likely to overeat later.  Great protein sources include whey protein, greek yogurt and eggs/egg whites.  
  3. Remove trigger foods and ultra processed convenience foods from sight. Think chips, ice cream, candy, cookies, etc… Either don’t buy these items in the first place or stick them in a cupboard so it’s not the first or even second thing you see when you walk into your kitchen. Put the food you know and should eat front and center. Hiding the treats and placing a bowl of fresh fruit on the counter, plus veggies, grilled chicken, and greek yogurt ready to eat (and staring you in the face when you open the fridge) will make it a lot easier to make better food choices.

Make realistic goals, commit, and then make them happen.  2024 let’s do this!

If you have thought about having me as your coach to support you along your own fitness journey check out the Online Fitness Coaching page on my website for more info and how to inquire about my online fitness coaching service. Receive customized activity and nutrition plans, monthly virtual calls, and weekly email check in’s.

http://melaniewales-sustainableliving.com/online-fitness-coaching/

Follow me on Instagram for evidence based fitness tips, free recipes, and full days of eating.

http://www.instgram.com/melaniewales.sustainableliving

Uncategorized

Find yummy treats hard to avoid when kept in the house? Here are 4 ways to make it easier.

Do you find it hard to avoid the yummy foods that are around for your kids and family?

I get it. My daughter and husband easily self regulate and do not over consume palatable foods such as chips, cookies, and ice cream. They are active and healthy, so I don’t limit what they keep around the house.

These are the 4 ways I’ve found helpful to manage my behavior and tendencies around highly palatable foods, since historically, I found it hard to regulate myself with these foods.

These are also the strategies I recommend to my clients with family’s to help them navigate their own food environment.

1. Make a mental barrier. In your mind, label the food as theirs. Not yours. That’s “the kids food or snack.”

2. Make a physical and visual barrier. The less convenient it is to access and the less we see it, the less likely we are to act on the impulse to grab it.

3. Make a swap. Will power is finite. Having snacks that better align us with our goals is another great option. Air popped popcorn instead of chips or a protein smoothie instead of ice-cream are nice options.

4. Make a pairing. Portion and pair a small amount to enjoy along with an otherwise high protein and satiating mixed meal.

If you have thought about having me as your coach to support you along your own fitness journey check out the Online Fitness Coaching page on my website for more info and how to inquire about my online fitness coaching service. Receive customized activity and nutrition plans, monthly virtual calls, and weekly email check in’s.

www.melaniewales-sustainableliving.com

Follow me on Instagram for more tips, free recipes, and full days of eating.

www.instagram.com/melaniewales.sustainableliving