Fun Ways to Hit The 10,000 Steps a Day TikTok Challenge

Immersing ourselves in various fitness challenges can shape our perceptions of what an ideal body should look like. However, striving to achieve a goal we find on social media can sometimes make it more difficult to maintain a healthy body, mainly because we try to adopt lifestyles influenced by online standards, which sometimes may only work for specific individuals. While we desire to achieve better workout routines, if we keep on trying unsuitable or unrealistic exercises for our body—chances are, we won't be able to see good results.

This is why we introduce ourselves to numerous new fitness trends we see online, such as the no-rice challenge, no sugar challenge, intermittent fasting, weightlifting, and now walking. Just thinking about doing it all in a day makes us feel tired already. How can we possibly squeeze all of these fitness goals in a day or even a month? All we want is to stay healthy without the feeling of worrying about unrealistic standards. Staying healthy should make us feel excited to do it, not a punishment.

Daily workouts, in our view, is a routine where we should be able to calm our minds, feel the accomplishment of getting in shape, and stay mentally relaxed. For example, achieving 10,000 steps a day can be accomplished in a number of ways—the act in itself may seem insignificant because it's part of our daily routine, but if you think about it, the moment we take a single step outside, we immediately come up with exciting new ideas that wouldn't occur to us while sitting on the couch. Walking helps us think more clearly, allowing us to release negative thoughts by keeping our movement forward, breathing in the beauty of the environment, and appreciating what's all around us, rather than letting our minds remain clouded all day.

Where walking shouldn’t feel like a hard thing to do, we’re giving you fun ways to achieve this viral TikTok 10,000 steps goal without it feeling like a challenge needed to be done daily. Be it listening to music, or just a random walk in your nearby park, all these can make us nurture the very nature of walking with ease in mind and longevity.

Listening to our favorite music
When you find yourself lost in mentally draining thoughts while walking, music can be your friend. Uplift the moment by listening to your favorite upbeat, energetic tunes, as they can influence your mood for the entire day. The emotions evoked by these sounds play a significant role in how we react to the people we encounter. Simply put, listening to your go-to songs while walking helps redirect positive energy.

Walking with friends

Spending time with friends doesn’t always have to dry out our pockets. Going out can be memorable by simply burning a few calories without breaking a sweat. A friendly walk can spark meaningful conversations about life, the sweet and touching moments you've shared, or how much each of you has grown over the years. It’s a simple way to strengthen both your friendship and your health.

Walking with our fur babies

Our fur babies need exercise too, and it's a great opportunity to stay healthy together. Take them for a walk, but don’t forget to take breaks. Achieving 10,000 steps a day doesn’t mean you need to walk for six hours straight. Remember, the goal is to make it fun, so pausing to let both you and your pet catch your breath and be playful is essential for long-term health. Enjoying every moment together with our fur friends!

Do the groceries or go shopping

It’s time to refill your fridge, and instead of driving, why not walk to the store to buy your essentials? If the supermarket is 1-2 km away—within walking distance—grab your wallet and eco bag and stock up on what you need for the week. Plus, walking to the grocery store helps clear your mind as you think about what to make for lunch or dinner, making your days feel more harmonious and healthy! Better yet, make it a full-on walk around the mall activity and see the steps you'll be able to clock in effortlessly!

Have some alone time

Now that we've embraced various joyful,  mentally nurturing walking routines, let’s not forget to take time for ourselves. It’s a moment to breathe in and release all the negativity that no longer serves us. Take a step—alone if needed—to clear your mind or reflect on the decisions you've made in life. When walking by yourself, remember to let go of the mental toxins and appreciate the positive energy around you. Like walking, life is an endless journey with steps that may cause you to stumble at times, but never forget to stand up stronger.

Achieving 10,000 steps a day differs for each person. On days when you only want to do one of the five activities listed above, that’s perfectly fine. Every step matters, whether it's a large or small one, as long as we’re moving forward is already a good sign of growth and strength. Complete the viral challenge without feeling pressured to do it. Happy stepping!

Text by Ryan Claveria

Banner photo via Volkan Olmez on Unsplash