Thank you to Nike for sponsoring this post. #nike365
Adding a Step Counter to your Phone
I recently added my daily step count to my iPhone home screen and it’s been a game changer in motivating me to reach 10,000 steps every day.
Well, to be honest, I don’t reach 10k every day… but I’m pretty close!
I have it in 2 places, on the lock screen and on one of my home screens. You can customize the widget to different sizes, depending on how in-your-face you want it to be.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Personally, I love seeing the number right on my phone’s lock screen and then I also have a big widget on my second page home screen to really train myself to walk more.
I find that if I see the number staring me in the face I’m more motivated to hit the goal.
It’s also really simple (and free!) to do.
ADVERTISEMENT
First, a couple tips to easily increase your daily step count!
10,000 steps sounds like a lot, but is really doable when you add a couple tweaks to your daily schedule:
- Invest in good shoes
- Add a quick walk after dinner
- Try out a new sport
I’ve been wearing these Nike sneakers non stop since I got them.
I love how they look – they have this sort of retro 90s dad-vibe but in a chic way – and they’re SO insanely comfortable.
ADVERTISEMENT
I walk in them.. run in them.. play pickle ball.. they’re good for both casual walking and HIIT workout exercises.
And I can’t stress enough how comfy they are.
Plus they come in a ton of different colors!
When I got them they only had 3 colors but they’ve gotten so popular that they now come in 15 options AND you can now even customize your own.
ADVERTISEMENT
I usually walk in the park after dinner.
Its beautiful out, I usually catch an insane sunset and it’s really good for your digestion!
A 30 min walk for me, at a nearby running path, gets me to 5,000 steps.
So basically half my daily step goal.
And walking after a meal really helps regulate your blood sugar. If you find that you tend to feel sluggish or sleepy after a meal, go for a walk.
Even a short bit of movement forces your muscles to consume fuel (in the form of glucose) and prevents a spike in blood sugar (which is what causes the sluggish feeling).
ADVERTISEMENT
I haven’t figured out how to sync my workouts with my step count app quite yet… but on the days I play pickle ball I always get way over 10,000 steps in just from all the running!
(Mostly running to pick up the ball)
I also started walking to and from the courts so just the act of committing to play a game with friends has been really fun and healthy :)
ADVERTISEMENT
How to Add Step Counter to iPhone Home Screen
Download the Pedometer App
The regular Health app tracks your steps automatically, but to add the widget to your home screen you’ll want to download this Pedometer app.
It’s free, and is what creates the nicer looking widgets.
Once it’s downloaded, open the app and allow it to connect to your Health app for tracking steps.
ADVERTISEMENT
Customize the Home Screen
When your phone is closed, press your finger on the home screen to turn it on and keep your finger pressed.
The long press will prompt your phone to ‘customize’ the lock and home screens.
Hit ‘customize’ on the bottom and choose the Lock screen page.
Press your finger on the screen again in the box that says ‘Add widgets’.
ADVERTISEMENT
Add Widgets
You can fit 4 small widgets in a row under the date and time.
A couple of your most frequently used apps will appear as widget buttons right away. If you don’t see the app you want, scroll down to find it in the list below.
I found that the Pedometer app doesn’t show up immediately, because it’s just been downloaded (and likely you haven’t started accumulating steps or really using the app yet).
But come back the next day and you should see the Pedometer app listed.
ADVERTISEMENT
You can choose from a couple different options!
There are small and large widget sizes, or you can choose to display a goal tracker vs a simple count.
Video Tutorial
Here’s a quick video walking you through the process of adding a step counter to your iPhone lock screen:
And that’s it!
Super easy :)
ADVERTISEMENT
Follow me @Sher She Goes on
