BETTER NOT PERFECT: PART 2

Part 2: Park Like You Mean It

The Great Parking Lot Hunt

We've all done it. Circling the lot like a hawk, blinker on, waiting for someone to load 14 bags of groceries so we can claim the spot right by the door. Five minutes later, we've saved roughly 40 steps.

Think about that. We spent more time hunting for the spot than it would have taken to just walk from the back row.

Welcome to the Back Row

The back row of the parking lot is the most underrated gym in America. No membership fee. No awkward locker room. No guy grunting on the bench press.

And the perks keep coming:

• Fewer door dings, because nobody else wants to park out there

• No more stalking shoppers to their cars

• A few extra minutes of fresh air before you face the cereal aisle

• Bonus points for pushing the cart all the way back to the cart corral

It doesn't sound like much, and that's the point. A couple hundred extra steps at the grocery store, the office, the pharmacy, and the bank add up over a week without you ever putting on workout clothes.

Sound Familiar?

Picture someone we'll call Mike. Mike pulls into the grocery store lot and spots a car with its reverse lights on, three rows from the door. He waits. And waits. The driver is adjusting mirrors, finding a podcast, and texting someone a novel. Mike drums the steering wheel.

Four minutes later, Mike gets his spot. He saved roughly 30 seconds of walking. He lost four minutes of his life and a little bit of his soul.

The next week, Mike tries something radical. He parks in the back row, under a tree, next to nobody. He walks in, shops, and walks out. It's quicker, it's calmer, and his car comes home without a single new ding.

Myth vs. Truth

Myth: "A few extra steps won't make a difference."

Truth: On their own, maybe not much. But you park a lot. Work, the store, the pharmacy, the bank, church, your kid's practice. Those extra steps happen several times a day, every day, and that's exactly how small habits turn into real change.

Myth: "Parking close is safer."

Truth: It's smart to think about safety. In daylight and in busy, well-lit lots, the back row is usually just fine. At night or somewhere that feels off, park closer, no guilt. Better, not perfect.

Today's Tiny Challenge

Park in the back row everywhere you go today. Work, store, wherever. Then notice that you survived. Your legs might even thank you.

Try It Today Checklist

• Parked in the back row at work

• Parked in the back row at the store

• Returned my cart all the way to the cart corral

• Noticed how long it actually took (spoiler: not long)

Excuse Buster

The excuse: "But it's raining!"

The bust: Fair. On truly nasty days, take the close spot with zero guilt. Better, not perfect, remember? But a little drizzle never hurt anybody. That's what hoods were invented for.

Simple Plan Pairing of the Day

Back-row parking works up an appetite. Today, try our Baked Ziti Cavatini. Our Baked Ziti Cavatini is a high-protein comfort classic—seasoned ground turkey and tender ziti tossed in rich marinara, layered with a creamy cottage cheese-Greek yogurt blend, then finished with melty mozzarella and parmesan., ready when you get home, and worth every extra step.

Coming Up Next

Tomorrow: The Elevator Is Not Your Friend. We're taking on the stairs, one flight at a time.

And when you get home from all that walking, dinner can be the easy part. Simple Plan meals are healthy, ready to go, and won't make you circle anything.

This article is for general educational purposes and isn't a substitute for individualized medical or nutrition advice. You should talk to your healthcare professional about any planned or necessary changes in your nutrition.