5 Steps to Turning Your Constant Hunt for Toys into Exercise
If you collect action figures — especially mass-market releases like Star Wars, G.I. Joe, Marvel Universe, DC Universe Classics, and Transformers — then you probably spend quite a bit of time checking the toy aisles at various “big box” stores (see Wikipedia for discussion of big box stores) like Wal-Mart and Target. Well, before you take another quick walk through your favorite chain store on a search for toys consider following these simple steps.
- Step 1: Buy a Pedometer – If you’re gonna make your walks through stores amount for anything then the first thing that you’re going to need is a pedometer. You can grab almost any pedometer, as long as it reliably tracks your steps. Personally, I use an Accusplit Eagle pedometer* and have been absolutely loving it. (I posted about this pedometer on my LiveJournal back in January if you want to read about tracking steps.) This is vital, since this tool helps you to measure your progress.
- Step 2: Park at the Opposite End of the Parking Lot – DO NOT park near the doors. Instead, park way back at the end of the parking lot, as far from the doors as you can get. Remember, you’re not only hear to collect toys but also to collect steps. By parking as far back from the doors as possible you’ll snatch several steps before you even make it to the front doors.
A Wal-Mart display. - Step 3: Do Not Take the Shortest Path to the Toys – Again, the idea is adding steps to your pedometer. By walking completely around the store you’ll have a healthy number of steps by the time you make it to the toys. Once you’re in the toy aisle start your search. If you find something that you think you want then grab it; you’re either going to carry this or push it around in a cart for a little while.
- Step 4: Do Not Buy the Toy(s)! – Don’t just walk up to the register with what you’ve picked up but, instead, walk completely around the store again and walk back to the toy aisle. because you can actually find anything and you can also get the t-booster supplements for man to feel more comfortable with their body. So As you walk you’re both collecting steps and giving yourself a little time to think about what you’re carrying. Are you carrying a toy that you actually want or do you find yourself holding an impulse item that’s “hot” with collectors and thus something you think you should have? This walk around the store is your cooling off period after the rush of finding something; once you make it back to the toy aisle where you found the toy you’ll either decide to buy it or put it back.
- Step 5: Repeat – Don’t just run through this process at one store. No, you’re gonna want to do that at two or three stores to really collect those steps. What I often do is stop at between one and three Wal-Marts early in the morning on the way to work (stepping through the doors of the first at about 6 am on most mornings). And the mornings when I only have time to hit one store I’ll stop at a store or two on the way home.
And that’s it. On a normal work day I visit the one to three different Wal-Marts each morning on my way to work (four if I have the time and I’m really looking for something new, like DC Universe Classics Wave 10) and then one or two Targets on my way home. My goal each morning before getting to the office is to have between 5,000 and 6,000 steps on the pedometer (about 3,000 of those come from the morning walk that Gina and I go on at 4:30); by pushing myself I get to see new toys as they hit the shelves and I’m getting in some good exercise, taking appetite suppressant pills to avoid binging.
This is a simple way to get a little more exercise each day and a system that has been working great for me. The pedometer recommends aiming for 10,000 steps each day and these days I get closer to 14,000 or so every day. About one-third to one-half of those steps on a work day are all from searching for toys.
I hope some of you guys give this a try. And you don’t actually need the pedometer, I just find that it really helps me by giving me something else to obsess over. Your level of insanity and obsessiveness is likely different than my own and you’ll know what works best for you.
Good luck toy hunting, guys, and grab those steps!
**Affiliate link: Orders using this link earn battlegrip.com cash, which is applied to buying toys.
You’re obsessed with walking. I think I could get into that. Off to download a Pedometer app!
@Newt – I’ve never denied being both obsessive and crazy. But it really helps me in a lot of things.
I assume you’re going after an iPhone app. I’ve talked to a few people who use different iPhone pedometer apps and they seem happy with the accuracy of the arrangement. I use a Blackberry, though, so I had to go with something other than a software pedometer.
Yeah I found a good one for the iPhone. Tested it out a bit this morning. Seems to work pretty good.
Ha! This is great! To take it up a notch, we can challenge ourselves by walking/running/biking to the stores.
Oh, and you are obsessed with counting your steps 😉
@Justin – Now that I have a Target about 2.5 miles from my house I’ve actually walked there a few times to search for toys.
@Justin – And 6,950 steps so far today!
I hope my wife doesn’t see this post, otherwise we’ll be doing laps around Target and she’ll give me a “step minimum” before I can buy my Hot Wheels.
Funny enough, though, I already do the “think lap” no matter what I’m buying. I’m a cheap ass so it’s instinct.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who tries to turn all my walking into something useful. I also have a Target nearby so I’ve walked there, and sometimes ride my bike to a slightly farther away TRU.
My “think lap” usually just consists of pacing back and forth in the toy aisle for 10 minutes. Does that count?
I typically try to park far away from the entrance to the store too. Not only does it give mea few extra paces, but its usually easier to get in and out of, as opposed to a spot closer to the entrance where you have to worry about people walking behind you when trying to back out.
I’ll admit though, more for the sake of time, if there is a secondary entrance, like through the Lawn & Garden or Automotive department, I’ll usually take that because its closer to the toys. Sometimes navigating through WM isn’t always easy. Usually I go after work (around 8pm) or on the weekends at 3am or 4am, so it isn’t too bad, however if its busy sometimes just getting to the toys is an uphill battle.
I sir walked into Walmart looking for the new cap MU figure. None were on the shelves. So happend I ran into the Hasbro rep and he went in the back and brought out the giant Skrull and new Cap secret invasion Walmart 2 pack. Man I was like a kid at Christmas!! No I didnt walk around deciding if I really wanted it LOL
There’s also the 100 yard dash… when you’ve stumbled upon Wave 10 or something else really rare… you cradle them in your arms and get to the register as soon as possible lest some scalper or other collector try to pry them from you…
@Redline Derby – “I hope my wife doesn’t see this post, otherwise we’ll be doing laps around Target and she’ll give me a “step minimum†before I can buy my Hot Wheels.”
Hell, you should set your own minimum just for that exact situation. I vote 1,000 steps per new Hot Wheels car. 🙂
@PrfktTear – “I’ll admit though, more for the sake of time, if there is a secondary entrance, like through the Lawn & Garden or Automotive department, I’ll usually take that because its closer to the toys.”
Time is definitely a concern, which is why some days I only stop at one store on my way to work. It’s unfortunate that exercise takes time — and that our society doesn’t encourage us to devote time to exercise — but on days I expect to be in meetings all day I try to leave early enough to hit all three Wal-Marts that are between me and the office.
@TAO – “My “think lap†usually just consists of pacing back and forth in the toy aisle for 10 minutes. Does that count?”
I’m sure it counts for something. 10 minutes of walking is pretty good; I walk about 2/3 of a mile in 10-11 minutes. You’re probably not getting that far, though, because of all of the 180 degree turns.
The Super WM thats nearest to me just had a huge reset, they did the entire store over. Now the toys are at the exact opposite of the building from where the main entance is. Of course, after 10 or 11, they close down the closer entrance, so I have to enter through the grocery part of the store making me walk the entire width of the store twice.
@PrfktTear – I usually hit Wal-Mart when only one set of doors is open, but even if the doors closest to the toy aisle are open I choose the longer route.
Did part of the reset include new stuff on the shelves, or were they just moving the existing stuff around?
Step 4 isn’t going to be easy, but I can see how this is an excellent way to push yourself into some exercise, which I need start doing more of.
@Jon – It’s only really a challenge when you find more toys than you can carry. But yeah, in reading back over this post I’m very happy with it and hope that by now at least one or two people are walking more as they search for toys.