Play Outside

Take advantage of longer, warmer days while you can. There are several ways to be active in your neighborhood that don't require a gym membership. Regimented exercise can often feel like a chore, but outdoor activities help spice up an old routine and bring the bounce back to your fitness plan.

Make a few simple lifestyle changes during warmer months that will improve your energy level and help burn extra calories.

Here are some tips to get you started:

Drive less, walk more. If a car ride to the grocery store or friend's house would typically take five minutes or less, WALK there instead of driving. This may take a little extra planning, but you'll see that your neighborhood may be more pedestrian-friendly than you thought. Grab your favorite walking buddy to really make the trip worth leaving the house for.
Plan a picnic. While it may be a standard affair to gather with friends or family at your favorite restaurant, try relocating outside if the weather allows. An outdoor picnic will lend itself to an active lunch or dinner hour, because people will naturally walk or run more in the open space. Even better, bring along a Frisbee or softball to play catch after dinner. Learn more about easy ways to protect yourself from the sun while you enjoy extra time outside.
Don't let a sunny day pass you by. Have you ever noticed how, depending on the day, you may not leave the house unless you absolutely have to? It's easy to fall into a routine that keeps us cooped up in the office or home on a daily basis. If you see the sun shining, make it a point to go outside on your lunch break, or go for an early evening stroll. Just 10-15 minutes of natural light will give you your daily dose of Vitamin D, and you'll get an extra dose of exercise, too!

How much should I walk?

The average sedentary person may walk 1,000-3,000 steps a day. Guidelines show that 10,000 steps a day is the recommended target for better overall health. Since it takes about 2,000 steps to walk one mile, you'll achieve 5 miles by walking 10K-A-Day.
Here are a few ways to add more steps into your day:

Take the dog for a walk before and after work.
Meet a friend and walk, rather than sitting inside.
Park your car in a spot further from the store entrance.
Plan a walking meeting with coworkers.
Take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator.
Join Abbott's 10K-A-Day walking program and stay motivated with coworkers.

What works for you? Share your tips and success stories with the Abbott community so we can all keep adding healthy choices to our busy lives.

Abbott can help you make healthy lifestyle changes

If you're looking for ways to stay motivated while implementing more activity into your life, join the 10K-A-Day walking program. The program lets you track your daily walking activity as you implement small changes into your routine. Form a team with fellow Abbott employees for the 10K-A-Day team challenge. Have the chance to bond with your coworkers and win great prizes! Learn more about the program today. Registration is open anytime, but team formation runs from July 11 to July 22.
You can also talk to a Health Coach, who can work with you to create an exercise plan or find new ways you can fit exercise into your busy life. To learn more about Health Coaching, call Healthways at (877) 292-1373 (Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to midnight ET, and Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET).