.jpg)
AP Photo - Susn G. Komen Race for the Cure
Many of us don't have time to get to the gym with our busy schedules and more than likely sit in a chair staring at a computer all day. So in order to get our exercise we must get creative. You have probably heard of the walking 10,000 steps a day concept, but wondered whether it really works and how it is possible. The answer is yes to both!
According to The Walking Site, the average person's stride length is approximately 2.5 feet long. That means it takes just over 2,000 steps to walk one mile, and 10,000 steps is close to 5 miles. It seems like a lot, but it can be done. You walk more than you think, when you factor in your whole day.
To start tracking your steps, buy a pedometer. They are inexpensive and can be found at any sporting good store, Target, Walmart, just about anywhere. The first thing to do is set it up to accurately count your steps - everyone's stride is a different length. Start out by wearing the pedometer for the whole day from the time you wake up until your head hits the pillow. Do this for at least one week to see what your average steps are in a day to determine what you need to do to accomplish in the long run. The best part is, the pedometer is discreet, so no one needs to know what you are doing. It will be your own challenge!
Now, how will you walk 10,000 steps a day? Try some of the following:
- park further out in a parking lot (you may get less door dings too!)
- walk to your child's sporting event or walk them to school (if time, weather, and distance allows of course)
- taking the stairs anytime it is an option (even though I know the air conditioned elavator sounds more appealing)
- get up to change the channel instead of using the remote control
- plan a walking meeting (I found this one at The Walking Site... great idea!)
- walk at the mall on a rainy day (many of them have kid play areas so you can take the kids!)
- take a walk for part of your lunch hour
- buy a treadmill if you can't get out of the house (read a book, watch TV, plug in your iPod to make it more fun)
- get creative!
According to The Walking Site, a reasonable goal for most people is to increase average daily steps each week by 500 per day until you can easily average 10,000 per day. Partnered with a healthy diet, you will lose weight, improve your health, look better in your clothes, feel better about yourself, must I go on? I think you get the picture. Remember, the faster you walk, the more steps you will take in a shorter amount of time.
If doing it alone is not for you, find a walking group. Check out Meetup.com.
Comments