WALK THE WALK.

NYC has every mode of transportation known to man but my absolute favorite happens to be the most primitive: via foot.

Yes, walking is not always practical but generally between a stroll and a subway you can get almost anywhere (plus you instantly feel like a local).

As my grandma would tell me, “make every crosswalk your catwalk,” and there’s no better place to make my runway than New York City.

The sidewalk “strut” is a must learn… shoulders back, head up, eyes straight ahead and your handbag clutched to your side.

And the best part? There’s so very much people watching and window shopping to do on the way that the blocks (and calories!) fly right on by.

The numbered streets and avenues system is also brilliant as it helps with the countdown to your final destination.

During my one full day in the “concrete jungle” (thanks again Alicia) I likely walked 30,000 steps.

Why did I just make up that number? It’s more of an educated guess.

According to the step counters of the world (which I am in desperate need of) a person should walk 10,000 steps/day.

I walked at least three times that. Maybe more.

*It’s a good idea to pack deodorant, a perfume sample (my staple) and a mini hair brush so you don’t look and smell like a total bum at when you show up wherever you may be going.

Sadly its tough for me to recommend to everyone to fly to JFK to get your “steps in” but it is a good refresher on just how nice it is, when doable, to walk from place to place.

As an L.A. girl most times walking’s not practical, BUT little errands like going to the grocery store, pharmacy, getting to-go food (vs. delivery) or taking a trip to the nail salon absolutely are.

Stairs vs. elevator is always a good idea. Why not crunch a couple of extra cals? It will probably actually save you time vs. waiting forever for the elevator!

Another suggestion? Don’t hawk around a parking lot until you find the “closest” possible space. I know this is a brain twister, as I’m pretty sure we’re genetically made up to curse at any lack of parking and would rather spend ten minutes doing angry circles than park in the back of the lot, but I’m going to try to reverse this mentality.

Why not go straight for the abandoned spaces oh so very “far” away? A. They’re not that far B. You have probably a 90% chance of feeling less frustrated and C. You, once again, get a couple more “steps” in.

What a win win. I should probably be a therapist. Solving life’s frustrating problems, one step at a time.

So thank you NYC for the motivation. Now, who wants to get me a step counter?

 

With cheery struts and strolls, XOXO,
Alex