Health and fitness researchers are finding that people can achieve health benefits by exercising at a less intense level than previously thought. In other words, someone who is sedentary most of the day but who jogs over the lunch hour may expend as much cumulative energy as someone who is active the entire day.
Two recent studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association have confirmed that this lifestyle approach can be as effective as a traditional exercise program. Many doctors and researchers have found that wearing a pedometer is a great way to track your daily activity — and inspire you to move more on days you have been sedentary.
To achieve good health, strive to take 10,000 steps a day (the equivalent of walking roughly five miles). A person who walks 10,000 steps a day will burn between 2,000 and 3,500 extra Calories per week, which will result in achieving a vastly better health profile and longer lifespan.
If your goal is to lose weight, start slow and gradually work yourself up to walking 12,000 to 15,000 steps a day. Walking is a great way to lose weight — and keep it off.
Whether your goal is to achieve good health or to lose weight, put your pedometer on when you dress in the morning, and don't take it off until bedtime (unless, of course, you take a shower somewhere in between). Every step you take throughout your day counts!
You've inspired me! I don't have a pedometer yet, but when I took my boys to the park this afternoon, instead of sitting on the bench and watching them play, I walked around the sidewalk that surrounds the play area. I just kept walking around and around it. I was sure that people were thinking, "What does that fat lady think she's doing?!!?", but I did it anyway.
i need to get one of those things. first i'd want to wear it and try to forget it - to see how i normally fare.
although today, i power walked 7 blocks to a hair salon to get my brows done, and all the way back. plus i walk to and from the bus stop. so maybe i'm doing good. =)
Of course it figures that now that I'm motivated to walk, the forecast is RAIN for like the next week. Oh well, if I have to do laps in the building, so be it.
Okay, I bought a pedometer today at Sports Authority for $9.99. I'm going to have to take it off while I'm driving, though, because it's somehow measuring "steps." I walked the 47 steps into and out of the games store to pick up son, then drove home. When I got out of the car at home, I had magically walked 390 steps.
"Official" thread for the Pedometer Challenge
