Steps with Balance Rewards – Motivation is Key! #BalanceRewards #cbias

Disclosure: I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias® and Walgreens #cbias #SocialFabric

Over the past several months I have been working toward a goal of losing weight and being healthier. Many of you may know that I have lost almost 20 pounds over the past few months by eating better, but I haven’t been doing very well in the physical fitness department. So I’ve decided to join Balance Rewards at Walgreens to motivate myself a little more.

I know that I have to get up and moving more if I want to keep that weight off, and one of my main problems is that I sit at a desk all day long for work. I seldom even get up just to take a quick break and stretch my legs. This is a practice I’ve been wanting to change for a while, so I’ve set some goals for myself to make sure I’m not just sitting like a lump on a log all day long.

One of the easiest things I can do, especially since I work on a college campus, is to simply take a quick stroll around for 10-15 minutes and just get moving! I know that in theory this sounds simple, but someone like me really lacks the motivation to do it. I need a challenge or a reward to really get me inspired to get moving.

This is why I was really excited when Walgreens rolled out their Steps program.

Signing up for Steps with Walgreens

I already had a Walgreens online account because I get my prescriptions filled there, so signing up for the Steps program was a no-brainer. Earning points toward purchases just for getting up and moving sounded like the perfect way to get my butt up off the chair!

Since I was already a member, all I had to do was “upgrade” my account, but if you are new to Walgreens, simply head over to their site and click the Get Started button. The process is so simple to do, and the website will walk you right through every step.

Once you are logged in, you can set goals, log activity, and weigh in.  You earn points for all of these activities!  Of course you can also earn points from buying select products in store, and I’ve already earned enough to redeem toward free products (which I’ve done, so my points are less than what they were previously).

Logging Progress for Steps with Walgreens

One of my favorite things about the steps program, is that it is so easy to log your progress. You can do it manually, but if you have a compatible device, you can sync it to your steps account and it will log your progress for you. You don’t even have to log in, just simply walk and watch the points add up!

I already have a Fitbit One, and syncing it was really simple.  You simply log into your Steps account, click on Devices, and add the device you have. It will sync with your device and begin logging progress immediately!

If you don’t already have a device of your own but still want to have an easy way to keep track, Walgreens has some amazing options…plus you can earn points just for purchasing!  I found a couple of really great step counters that were $14 off for reward members, plus earned you 3000 points for purchasing!

Since I knew I was going to be doing a lot more walking, I also decided I should probably get some shoe inserts. The shoes I have now are getting a little worn, but I’m not quite ready to go out and get new just just yet, so I think some good inserts are the next best thing.

Steps with Walgreens Progress

Right now I have 790 balance reward points, all earned from logging activity, setting goals, and weighing in. I also had some points that accumulated from making purchases, but I’ve cashed those in toward other products already.

I have to say that earning points has been really easy, and the idea that I get rewarded just for getting up and moving has really helped me to make an effort to get out of my chair during the day and walk around a bit. There are still days when I lack motivation, but I’ve been doing much better, and the fact that I’ve already been able to redeem points for products shows how easy it can be.

If you would like to take a full look at my recent shopping experience at Walgreens, as well as more information on signing up for the program, please visit my Google + album.

If you are interested in the Balance Rewards program, be sure to sign up. It is free, and you can earn points without even shopping by using the Steps program! In addition, Walgreens is running a Steps Up To Win Sweepstakes now through May 31st, where you can win instant prizes daily, as well as a chance at a grand prize trip to a Biggest Loser resort of choice.

Don’t forget to check out Walgreens on Facebook and Twitter! You can follow hashtag #BalanceRewards on Twitter (or Instagram). You can also stay up to date on all things fun through Collective Bias’ Aisle Share Fun site!