The fact is that America is becoming obese at an alarming rate and the rest of the world is following closely. We eat more (and more of the wrong things) and exercise less or not at all. Our health is deteriorating sharply and the number of doctor and hospital visits is at an all-time high. Just a brisk walk of 30 minutes a day can reverse this. Anyway, we have it, and it’s getting worse. Cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, stroke, out-of-control blood sugar levels, diabetes, obesity and more. The U.S. Surgeon General recommends at least 20 to 30 minutes of moderate activity every day, and many of us fall far short of that. Research shows that the average person takes about 3,000 to 5,000 steps per day, and some take much less. Let’s face it, we just don’t get the exercise that our ancestors did about a hundred years ago and we tend to eat more refined foods. For some of us, the most steps we take are from the chair in front of the TV to the refrigerator so we can stock up on snacks. Others, like me, sit in front of the computer all day as part of our job. Many fitness experts recommend walking 10,000 steps a day to maintain our weight and overall health. 10,000 steps is about 5 miles, depending on the length of your step. You should buy and wear a pedometer to count how many steps you take each day. Follow the instructions that usually come with the pedometer. Do this for a week or two and you will get a good average number of steps. Your goal is to take 10,000 or more steps every day.
There’s nothing magical about 10,000, but it does put you in the right ballpark. Typically, a person burns about 100 calories per mile running, depending on their age, height and fitness level. The heavier you are, the more calories you burn. Be creative to increase your steps. Go for a walk during lunch at work. Go for a walk with your partner or children. Walking the dog. Walk to the store instead of driving or park at the far end of the parking lot. Use the stairs instead of the elevator. I take a brisk 2 mile walk around the neighborhood (aerobic walking) twice a day every day. Just do what works best for you, but do it! You need good walking shoes and socks to prevent injuries while walking (such as aerobic walking). Go to your favorite search engine and type 10,000 steps to learn more about this life-saving, life-changing program. The information is plentiful.
Filed under: Exercise
Tagged with: 000 steps, 10%, vibrant, calories, cardiovascular, diabetes, exercise, fitness, health, heart, miles, miles, obese, pedometer, shoes, stroke, walking, walking
Published by May Healthy Lifestyle
