The Starbucks Carrot Method — North Phoenix Walking Series

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Coffee walks, Cats, Pinball, and Realistic Wellness. Small habits. Real life. Still counts.
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Coffee walks, incidental exercise, and everyday life in the desert.

Sometimes the best exercise plan is simply a reason to leave the house.

For me, that reason is coffee.

The Starbucks Carrot Method is the walking habit that helped me lose weight, improve my health, and build a sustainable routine without a strict diet or a punishing gym schedule.

The idea is simple:

Walk somewhere you actually want to go.

In my case, that place is Starbucks.

Instead of forcing myself to exercise, I built a small reward into the routine. I walk to coffee, sit on my favorite bench for a few minutes, and then walk home.
Along the way, normal life happens.

Errands.

Neighbors.

Cats waiting at home.

Pinball tournaments later in the day.

All of that movement adds up.

The science actually has a name for this kind of everyday activity: NEAT (Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis) — the calories burned from normal life movement.

Around here we call it something simpler:

Incidental exercise.

And the philosophy behind it is even simpler:

Still counts.

Starbucks Carrot Method – North Phoenix Walking Series

Weekday walks are my 1–5 foundation.

Steps for Sips – bonus weekend walks (found in Weekly Reads)

Weekends are bonus walks—because I want to, not because I have to.

**Scheduling for life might make these a little less consistent. Plus, life happens, so sometimes my 1-5 week gets wonky. Self-care matters to me, car care happens, etc. **

This page collects the walks that make up the Starbucks Carrot Method — North Phoenix Walking Series.

Each post is a small snapshot of everyday movement, life in the desert, and the ongoing experiment of living a healthier life without making wellness miserable.


☀️ Summer Survival Mode Notice

On June 1, 2026 – September 1, 2026 , the Starbucks Carrot Method officially switched from regular walking season to Summer Survival Mode.

The reason is simple:

The Arizona sun and heat were actively trying to kill me.

After a close encounter with heat exhaustion and several walks that felt more like survival training than wellness, it became clear that the Starbucks Carrot Method needed a summer adaptation.

From June through August, the focus shifts from maintaining a strict 5-walk schedule to finding safe ways to stay active while avoiding triple-digit temperatures, heat-related illness, and becoming a cautionary tale on the evening news.

Regular Starbucks Carrot Method walking posts (5 ± days per week) will resume on September 1, 2026, when North Phoenix becomes slightly less hostile to human life.

Until then:

Click for WWS Summer Survival posts, heat adaptations, indoor movement ideas, summer wellness experiments, and proof that “Still Counts” applies even when it’s 110°F outside.

Incidental Exercise Receipts Hub for Jazzercise posts 1 – 38

Still counts. ☕🌵🔥🚶‍♀️

Fall 2026

Walks and Jazzercise

Carrot Walks for a Cause

The month of October I will be walking 62 miles for the American Cancer Society.

Click the link to show your support.


Week of September 13, 2026

Walk 1 of 5 and Jazzercise #44 – Darlene’s Open House Event

Walk 2 of 5 — Week of September 13 — Cloudy and Breezy: I’ll Take It!

Jazzercise #45 — Cardio, Strength and Stretch with Robyn

Walk 3 of 5 and Jazzercise #46 – Week of September 13: Persistent Cacti and Pretty Clouds

Walk 4 of 5 — Week of September 13: Nostalgia and Great Music

Walk 5 of 5 and Jazzercise #47 – coming

Week of September 6, 2026

Jazzercise #40 – Dance Steps for Sips with Sara

Jazzercise #41 — Dancing and Sweating to the Oldies with Darlene! 💃🎶

Jazzercise #42 – Low-Impact is not for the Week

Jazzercise #43 – I just felt like it!

Idaho Pinball Museum Strikes Tournament

Week of August 30, 2026

Jazzercise #37 – Wrong Leg, Right Workout

Jazzercise #38 – Oh, I Know This One. Let’s Go!

September Walk Test — The Brochure Lied! ☀️🔥☕️

Jazzercise #39 — Proprioception and Balance

September 2026

🎉 One Year of the Starbucks Carrot Method — and a New Chapter!

Well, apparently a bribe can become a tradition. 😂🥕☕️

One year ago, I started the Starbucks Carrot Method: if I wanted myself to get out the door and walk, there would be a Starbucks at the end of the route.

It was ridiculous.

It was effective.

And somehow… IT WORKED.

For an entire year, the carrot has been dangling, the miles have been accumulating, and the coffee has been earned. ☕️🥕🎉

But this year, the Starbucks Carrot Method is getting an upgrade.

💃 Jazzercise is officially joining the walking routine!

This isn’t a temporary summer experiment or a guest appearance.

Jazzercise is here to stay.

I’ve discovered that I genuinely enjoy both walking and Jazzercise, and there’s no reason I have to choose between them. So the North Phoenix Walking Series is becoming a little more flexible: some days we’ll walk, some days we’ll Jazzercise, and some days we’ll do a little of both.

Because apparently I enjoy exercising now.

Who knew? 😂

And yes, the Starbucks carrot is still firmly attached to the stick. 🥕☕️

The walks aren’t disappearing just because Jazzercise has joined the party. They’re simply getting sprinkled throughout the routine while Phoenix continues its annual attempt to turn me into toast. 🔥🌵☀️

Speaking of the desert, the prickly pears are putting on quite a show right now. Their fruit is turning those gorgeous deep purple colors, and the newest paddles are coming in with spectacular pink, red, and purple edges. I’ll be back with the camera when the sun is a little less GIANT LASER and a little more photographer-friendly. 😂

So here’s to one year of the Starbucks Carrot Method.

One year of walking.

One year of coffee.

One year of finding increasingly creative ways to convince myself that leaving the house is a good idea.

And now…

Walking + Jazzercise + coffee + desert scenery.

We’re going to keep moving.
We’re going to keep walking.
We’re going to keep Jazzercising.
We’re going to keep drinking coffee.

We’re just going to do it without trying to die from heat exhaustion.

Because apparently that’s a reasonable fitness goal. 😂😂😂

Buckle up, buttercup. The walks are coming back. Eventually. 🌵☀️☕️💃💜

Still counts. Always. 💜🥕🌡️☀️


June through August 2026 Steps for Sips Walks

August

July

June

Week of May 31– Summer Delirium in North Phoenix

Walk 1 of 5 — Week of May 31— The Heat is On!
Two days of pinball tournaments, tired legs, and the first real reminder that Arizona summer had officially arrived.

Walk 2 of 5 — Week of May 31— Wild West Mustache Bob and the Summer Delirium
The day I got heat exhaustion and decided I better start coming up with a plan B for summer temperatures

Walk 3 of 5 — Week of May 31– Nail Day, PSYCH!
A simple errand turned into another reminder that life rarely follows the original schedule.

Walk 4 of 5 — Week of May 31— No Go
Heat exhaustion is real. Sometimes the smartest wellness decision is knowing when not to push.

Walk 5 of 5 — Week of May 31— WWS Summer Edition Starts Now!
The official launch of the WWS Summer Edition and adapting the Starbucks Carrot Method for triple-digit temperatures.


This was the week Arizona officially reminded me who’s in charge. The temperatures climbed, the neighborhood characters kept showing up, and I learned the hard way that summer requires a different game plan. Some days included walks. Some days included recovery. All of it was part of learning how to adapt the Starbucks Carrot Method to triple-digit temperatures instead of abandoning it altogether.

The goal isn’t perfection. The goal is sustainability.

Still counts.

Week of May 24 – Memorial Day & Return Home Edition

Walk 1 of 5 — Week of May 24 — Happy Memorial Day — Nebraska Steps for Sips
Memorial Day observations, wildlife sightings, and a Starbucks walk far from home.

Walk 2 of 5 — Week of May 24— Back in Arizona 😱
Vacation is over. The desert heat reminds me exactly where I live.

Walk 3 of 5 — Week of May 24— Bizarre Human Shenanigans Edition
Palm-tree pigtails, dinosaur earrings, and the kind of weirdness that makes neighborhood walks memorable.

Walk 4 of 5 — Week of May 24— Oceans of Sky
Late-May North Phoenix skies put on a show during another Starbucks Carrot Method outing.

Walk 5 of 5 — Week of May 24— The Great Animal Cloud Parade
Cloud watching turns into an unexpected wildlife spotting adventure in the Arizona sky.


This week was split between two worlds: a Memorial Day trip away from home and a return to the Arizona desert. Along the way there were birds, cloud formations, neighborhood oddities, and the familiar comfort of getting back into a walking routine. Whether the scenery was Nebraska or North Phoenix, the principle stayed the same—find a reason to get moving and enjoy the journey.

Still counts.

Week of May 17 – Travel Week Edition

Walk 1 of 5 — Week of May 17 – Longest Walk Yet
The Starbucks Carrot Method reaches a new distance milestone before travel week begins.

Walk 2 of 5 — Week of May 17 – The Landscape Debacle
Not every walk is scenic. Sometimes neighborhood landscaping decisions become the main character.

Walk 3 of 5 — Week of May 17 – Walk & Travel Prep Marathon
Combining steps, errands, packing, and pre-trip chaos into one giant movement-filled day.

Walk 4 of 5 — Week of May 17 – Trees and Prickly Hearts 🌵🌳
Finding unexpected beauty in the desert while logging another Starbucks Carrot Method adventure.

Walk 5 of 5 — Week of May 17 — Speed walk before catching a plane
The Starbucks Carrot Method goes on the road. Hello Omaha, Nebraska!


Travel weeks have a way of turning normal routines upside down, but that doesn’t mean movement has to disappear.

This week included my longest walk yet, travel prep chaos, desert scenery, prickly pear sightings, and one final speed walk before heading to the airport. The goal wasn’t perfection. The goal was keeping the habit alive while real life was happening.

The Starbucks Carrot Method officially left Arizona and headed for Omaha, Nebraska.

Still counts.

Week of May 10 – Summer Preparation Edition

Walk 1 of 5 — Week of May 10: Early Morning Survival
The first signs that Arizona summer was arriving. Early starts were becoming less optional and more necessary.

Walk 2 of 5 — Week of May 10 Pretty Clouds, Questionable Shade ☀️🌵☁️
Beautiful skies don’t always mean cooler temperatures. A lesson in appreciating scenery while still hunting for shade.

Walk 3 of 5 — Week of May 10 — Overcast Heat Reprieve Edition ☁️🌴
A rare stretch of cloud cover made the walk feel almost reasonable by May standards.

Walk 4 of 5 — Week of May 10 —☀️drink crossbody field test
Testing summer walking gear and figuring out how to carry enough hydration without making the walk miserable.

Walk 5 of 5 – Week of May 10 – My Tattoo Got a Sunburn!
A slightly overcooked cat tattoo became a reminder that Arizona sunshine doesn’t play around, even on routine coffee walks.


I like this week because it’s basically the “summer logistics” week—figuring out shade, clouds, hydration, timing, and sun exposure before the truly brutal temperatures arrive.

It feels like the transition chapter between spring Starbucks walks and the WWS Summer Edition that launches a few weeks later. ☕🌵☀️

Week of May 3 – Sun Adjustment Edition

Walk 1 of 5 – Week of May 3  – Cloudy ☁️ Breezy 💨 Monday flow
One of those rare Arizona mornings where the weather did most of the heavy lifting and made the walk feel easy.

Walk 2 of 5 – Week of May 3 – Happy Cinco de Mayo
Coffee, steps, sunshine, and a little holiday spirit on a beautiful North Phoenix morning.

— No Walk Wednesday, May 6, 2026 — Self-Care Still Counts 💅
Sometimes the healthiest choice isn’t another walk.
This was a reminder that recovery, self-care, and taking care of yourself are part of the wellness journey too. I spent the day getting my nails done at Xrisp Nails .
The goal has never been perfection. The goal is building a healthier life that can actually be sustained. Some days that means walking to coffee. Some days that means taking care of yourself.

Still counts.

Walk 3 of 5 – Week of May 3 – Arizona sun chaos
The annual game of figuring out whether Arizona is pleasant, hot, or actively trying to roast you before breakfast.

Walk 4 of 5 – Week of May 3 – Sun Adjustment Logistics Experiment
Testing schedules, clothing, shade, and timing as the desert transitioned from spring into summer mode.


This week was less about mileage and more about adaptation. The weather was changing fast, summer was starting to make itself known, and the Starbucks Carrot Method was beginning its yearly shift into Arizona survival mode. Some days were cloudy and comfortable, some days were chaotic, and one day was dedicated entirely to self-care. All of it still counted. ☕🚶‍♀️🌵💅

Week of April 26 – Full Cast of Characters Edition

Walk 1 of 5 – Week of April 26 – This Felt Like Me Again
One of those walks where everything clicked. Good energy, good rhythm, and a reminder of why the Starbucks Carrot Method works for me.

Walk 2 of 5 — Week of April 26 Walk → Coffee → Walk
The classic formula. Nothing fancy, just the simple routine that started this entire experiment.

Walk 3 of 5 (Part 1)- Week of April 26☀️🚶‍♀️☕ Aggressively Shuffled + Pickle Jar Strength
Proof that movement comes in all forms, from coffee walks to opening stubborn jars and everything in between.

Walk 3 of 5 (Part 2)- Week of April 26☀️🚶‍♀️☕ Parrot Sighting + Bin Slalom Chaos
A perfectly normal North Phoenix walk featuring unexpected wildlife and obstacle-course navigation around trash bins.

Walk 4 of 5 – Week of April 26– Late Start to Tree Hopping 🌳☀️
A later-than-planned start led to another morning spent chasing shade and appreciating the neighborhood trees.

Walk 5 of 5 – Week of April 26🌿☀️ — Full Cast Edition: People, Birds, and Questionable Life Choices
The neighborhood put on a show. Familiar faces, random encounters, birds doing bird things, and the usual collection of everyday absurdity that makes these walks memorable.


This was the week where the Starbucks Carrot Method felt less like exercise and more like a front-row seat to everyday life. The walks featured neighbors, wildlife, shade-hunting, random obstacles, and enough odd moments to qualify as a full cast production. Sometimes wellness isn’t about chasing a fitness goal—it’s about getting outside long enough to notice what’s happening around you. ☕🚶‍♀️🌳🐦

This week blended familiar North Phoenix coffee walks with preparations for a trip across the country. New shoes, good music, unexpected encounters, airport navigation, and Massachusetts miles all became part of the journey.

The location changed, but the goal stayed the same:
find ways to keep moving,
stay curious,
and let everyday life provide the adventure.

Still counts.

Week of April 12– Errands, Recovery & Connection Edition

Walk 1 of 5 – Week of April 12 – Steps for Errands and Sips

Walk 2 of 5 – Week of April 12 – Strength Training Recovery Walk

Walk 3 of 5 – Week of April 12 – The Wedge & Sidewalk Surfer Adventure

Walk 4 of 5 – Week of April 12 – Fitbit Vs. Coffee Carrot

Walk 5 of 5 – Week of April 12 – Connection Walk


Not every walk starts with a fitness goal. Sometimes it starts with errands, recovery from another workout, or simply needing a reason to get outside. This week included sidewalk adventures, a showdown between Fitbit data and coffee motivation, and reminders that movement is often about connection as much as exercise. The Starbucks Carrot Method kept proving that everyday life is enough.

Still counts.

Week of April 5– Clouds, Coffee & Tournament Prep Edition

Walk 1 of 5 – Week of April 5 – Overcast & Windy – Phoenix Thinking About Rain

Walk 2 of 5 – Week of April 5 – Mental Reset

Walk 3 of 5 – Week of April 5 – Happy Hump Day

Walk 4 of 5 – Week of April 5 – Clouds – Coffee & Three Chords

Walk 5 of 5 – Week of April 5 – Rocky Soundtrack + Tournament Prep


Spring in Phoenix means watching the sky and wondering if rain might actually happen. This week brought overcast mornings, mental resets, music, coffee, and preparation for upcoming pinball adventures. Some walks were reflective, some were energetic, and some were powered by movie soundtracks. Every one of them added another layer to the routine.

Still counts.

Cloud shows, construction crews, recycling-bin obstacle courses, bees with questionable life choices, and a minor cold brew crisis all made appearances this week. The Starbucks Carrot Method sometimes feels less like a fitness program and more like a daily field expedition through North Phoenix. Fortunately, the miles still happen even when the universe seems determined to make things interesting.

Still counts.



Week of March 22 – NEAT in Action Edition

Walk 1 of 5 — Week of March 22— NEAT Walk

Walk 2 of 5 – Week of March 22 – Music and Walk Characters

Walk 3 of 5 – Week of March 22 – 2 Walks and the cat chore gauntlet

Walk 4 of 5 – Week of March 22–Peeps and Prickly Pear on Parade

Walk 5 of 5 – Week of March 22 – Rush Hour + Video chat Multitasking


This week highlighted what the series has always been about: movement that happens during real life. Walks mixed with music, chores, errands, cats, multitasking, and neighborhood observations became a practical demonstration of NEAT (Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis). None of it looked like a traditional workout, but all of it contributed to a more active life.

Still counts.


Week of March 15 – North Phoenix Field Report Edition

Walk 1 of 5 — Week of March 15 — Coffee, Errands, and 3.65 Miles in North Phoenix: Fitbit vs. Reality

Walk 2 of 5 Week of March 15 — North Phoenix Botanical Field Report

Walk 3 of 5 — Week of March 15—The Bench, The Bike Dog, & Finishing Anyway

Walk 4 of 5 — week of March 15th — Prickly Pear Blooms & Singing Through North Phoenix

Walk 5 of 5 — Week of March 15— 80s dance pop in my ears


Coffee, errands, desert plants, neighborhood dogs, blooming prickly pears, park benches, and a soundtrack full of 80s music made up this week’s adventures. These walks felt less like exercise sessions and more like daily explorations of the neighborhood. The miles accumulated almost by accident while paying attention to the people, places, and small moments along the way.

Still counts.


Week of March 8 – Finding the Rhythm Edition

Walk 1 of 5 — Week of March 8 — Sunday Coffee Walk in Phoenix
Walk 2 of 5 — Week of March 8 — Singing While Walking
Walk 3 of 5 — Week of March 8 — Interesting Interactions in North Phoenix
Walk 4 of 5 — Week of March 8 — People, Places, and Music
Walk 5 of 5 — Week of March 8 — Coffee Walk and a Dog Encounter

I didn’t want to drive to Starbucks, so walk 6 happened.

Week 6 of 5 – March 8 — Recap 🎰🐾🚶‍♀️


This was the week the Starbucks Carrot Method really started becoming more than a walk to coffee. Music, neighborhood encounters, unexpected dogs, pinball milestones, and everyday adventures all found their way into the routine. By the end of the week there was even a bonus walk, proving that sometimes movement happens simply because you want to keep going.

Still counts.


Week of March 1 – Building the Foundation Edition

Walk 1 of 5 — Week of March 1—Self-Evaluation Walk
Walk 2 of 5 — Week of March 1—Hot and Sunny Arizona
Walk 3 of 5 — Week of March 1—Spring is Now?
Walk 4 of 5 — Week of March 1—Chilly and Bright in North Phoenix
Walk 5 of 5 — Week of March 1—Desert Dolls Tournament Day


The first full week of March focused on consistency rather than perfection. Self-evaluation, changing weather, tournament days, and ordinary North Phoenix mornings all became opportunities to keep moving. The routine was still taking shape, but the foundation was already there: one walk, one coffee, and one day at a time.

Still counts.

Week of February 22 – Progress Through Imperfection Edition

Walk 1 of 5 – Week of February 22 – Late Walk still counts in North Phoenix 🚶‍♀️☀️
Walk 2 of 5 — Week of February 22 – Frustrated on walk in Phoenix, AZ
Walk 3 of 5 — Week of February 22—North Phoenix Geese Walk with Errands 🪿
Walk 4 of 5 — Week of February 22—Too Warm in Arizona for a Moody February Walk ☀️
Walk 5 of 5 — Week of February 22—Walk and Progress Reflection


Some walks felt great. Some felt frustrating. Some were hotter than expected. This week included errands, geese, reflections on progress, and reminders that motivation isn’t required for movement to matter. The Starbucks Carrot Method kept working because the goal wasn’t perfection—it was showing up anyway.

Still counts.

Week of February 15 – Less-Than-Ideal Conditions Edition

Walk 1 of 5 — Week of February 15 — Lemon Time in North Phoenix
Walk 2 of 5 — Week of February 15 — Multitasking on Phoenix Walk for Coffee
Walk 3 of 5 — Week of February 15 — Walk in Phoenix with Erratic Weather
Walk 4 of 5 — Week of February 15 —Cool and Sunny in Phoenix
Walk 5of 5 — Week of February 15 — Walking in Less than Ideal Conditions


Lemons, multitasking, wardrobe decisions, unpredictable weather, and plenty of North Phoenix sunshine made up this week’s adventures. Not every walk happened under perfect circumstances, but that’s exactly the point. Sustainable wellness means learning how to keep moving when conditions aren’t ideal.

Still counts.

Week of February 8– Finding My Feet Edition

Walk 1 of 5 – Week of February 8 — Sun and Trees in Arizona
Walk 2 of 5 – Week of February 8 — Sassy Walk in Phoenix Arizona
Walk 3 of 5 – Week of February 8 Walk with a New Hair Do – Thanks Supercuts
Walk 4 of 5 – Week of February 8 — Long Edition with Geese
Walk 5 of 5 — Week of February 8 — Friday the 13th — Life’s messy. Wellness still fits.


New routines, new confidence, a fresh haircut, long walks, geese sightings, and a little post-tournament sass all helped shape the early days of the Starbucks Carrot Method. This week wasn’t about chasing fitness perfection. It was about discovering that movement could fit into real life and actually be enjoyable.

Still counts.

Week of February 1 – Where It All Started

Very first walking post. For previous walking and wellness history, check out my Facebook https://www.facebook.com/christy.kohtz

Walk 5 of 5 – Week of February 1 — California Poppies Blooming in Phoenix


This was the first week of the Starbucks Carrot Method walking series on Wellness Whiskers Silverballs. What started as a simple walk to coffee had already begun turning into something bigger: a sustainable routine built around everyday movement instead of perfect workouts.

The destination was Starbucks. The goal was consistency. The result was the beginning of a healthier life built one walk at a time.

California poppies were blooming, the Arizona sun was shining, and a simple idea was about to change everything:

If I wanted the coffee, I had to earn the coffee.

Still counts.

Why This Series Exists

This series isn’t about perfect workouts.

It’s about real life.

Coffee walks.
Pinball days.
Errands on foot.
Laundry with five cats supervising.

Movement that happens because you’re living your life.

And over time, that movement adds up.

That’s the idea behind the Starbucks Carrot Method.

And apparently…

it works.

Still counts.

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