How’s the weather in your neck of the woods? Around the farm, we’ve got snow, ice, and more ice. It’s slick out there! In the winter, staying active can be hard. Especially since I’m 38 weeks pregnant and it’s a lot harder to balance when you’re waddling! 😀
Here’s a picture of our driveway that Jeff snapped this morning for me. You can really see how slick it is!
All I really want to do is curl up in front of the fire and read a book or play a game with the kids. Neither of those options really take much energy.
Add in the time I spend working on my computer, and that’s a lot of sedentary time in my day. It’d be really easy just to leave it at that and sit still.
But, in my quest to take better care of me, I have to make staying active a priority. So here’s five ways I’m adding activity to my day without stepping foot on the slippery ice.
1. Track My Steps
I’ve written before how much I like my FitBit. My old one broke, and wasn’t a style where the band could be replaced. So Bryan got me a new one.
I now have the Charge 2, and it’s WAY better than the original Charge HR. For one thing, it’s blue. And that’s my favorite color!
And the band is replaceable, so if I bust another band I don’t have to shell out the money to replace the entire thing.
I have my step goal currently at 10,000 steps per day. Once I recover from baby, I’m planning on bumping that up to 12,000. Every step helps!
I’ve also joined a weekly step challenge with some other mamaprenuers I’ve met online. Having the competition and knowing that these other ladies are going to be seeing my steps really motivates me to move.
So to increase my steps, I’ve been walking around the house more during the day. I walk upstairs, around the living room, wherever I can. Even if the walking isn’t exciting and scenic, it adds movement to my day.
2. Play Active Games
I’m a board game junkie, but you don’t get much movement rolling a dice and moving a piece. So the kids and I have been doing some more active games.
Here’s a post with some of our favorites. We’re also enjoying:
- Dance parties
- Follow the leader
- Going up and down the stairs 5 times each
- Doing short relay races in the living room
Basically anything we can make fun that also involves moving is fair game. It’s good for me and the kids!
3. Walk in Place While Watching TV
It’s too easy to just sit on the couch and wrap up in a blanket this time of year. Especially when you’re catching up on a favorite TV show.
But, that doesn’t add any steps to my day, so I had to improvise. I now try to get up and walk in place for at least parts of the show.
It keeps me moving and feels good. Even if it’s a hard habit to get started with.
4. Connect Smartphone Time to Activity Level
Bryan and I decided that our oldest couldn’t have free time on her computer in the evening unless she met her step goal.
I thought that was a motivating way to encourage activity. Since I’m working, I can’t really not use the computer, but there was something I could put up.
My smartphone.
So now I don’t get to play a game or check my Facebook feed unless I’ve hit a certain number of steps. My current setup is every 2,000 steps I can spend a few minutes on my phone.
It’s helping me go longer without using the phone, and ensuring that I get my steps in.
Is there anything similar that’d work for you? Setting a goal with a reward really does help, even if it’s something simple.
5. Add Extra Movements to Your Day
Stirring some food for dinner? Do a couple of squats. (Those are really hard when you’re this pregnant FYI!)
Folding laundry? Step back and forth with your feet while your hands fold.
Typing a blog post? Stand up to type and march in place.
The idea is to purposefully add movement throughout the day. The more you do it, the easier it becomes and the more natural it feels.
Are you staying active this winter?
What are your best tips? I’d love for you to share in the comments.
