10,000 Steps
Posted on: July 16, 2014Categories: LiveWell 24/7
A recent upcoming trend in the world of health is tracking the amount of steps an individual takes on a day to day basis. The Surgeon General has recommended thirty minutes of activity most days of the week and reaching a minimum of 10,000 steps a day roughly accounts for that physical activity. Why count steps? It is a simple way to keep track of your daily activity and it is easily measurable. Reaching 10,000 steps a day is close to about 5 miles. This may seem like a difficult task but it is just the opposite! It is very simple to make small changes in your daily routine that allow you to reach this goal. For example, you know that parking spot you are on the lookout for at the grocery store that is right up front? Well skip that spot and park towards the back of the lot to get a longer walk in. There are plenty other simple ideas like this as well such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator, go for a walk on your lunch hour at work, work outside in the yard instead of watching television, or go window shopping. Developing a healthy lifestyle can be easier than you think, and why not start somewhere you can easily work into your schedule? Build up your steps and increase your goal with each consecutive week and track your progress. It’s easy to step into a healthy lifestyle!
Tips to Becoming a Successful Stepper
- Work Up Slowly- If your daily activity is very low on average then don’t try to jump right into reaching the 10,000 steps a day goal. This could affect your physical condition and cause injury. Instead, start small and build your way up by making a larger goal with each additional week. That way you are continuously making small strides to your bigger goal. Keep it up, you will get there!
- Keep It Fresh– Continue to think of new ideas and ways you can increase the amount of steps in your daily routine. Many people get tired of the same boring routine and eventually quit working on developing a new healthy lifestyle. Instead of getting into a routine, mix it up! Try taking your dog on a walk one day, and then take a trip to the park where you can play Frisbee with a friend the next!
- Grab a Partner– Everything is easier when you have someone by your side and you motivate each other! Try inviting a friend, family member, or co-worker to join you in the challenge to increase your daily steps.
- Track it!– Nothing feels better than seeing your progress. It is very motivational to see how far you have come since the beginning and to see how close you are becoming to reaching your goal. There are plenty of apps you can download to keep track of your steps or for a more old fashioned method, grab a pencil and notebook! Either way tracking is a great idea and can only help along the way!
- Reward Yourself– Have you had your eye on that new pair of running shoes? Or perhaps you have wanted to take a weekend trip to the beach? Design a plan where you allow yourself rewards for reaching goals. However try to keep it healthy! Don’t undo all your hard work by allowing yourself things with high sugar every day. Self discipline is hard to develop but worth the work!
- Stay Positive– Didn’t reach your goal for the day or even for the week? Don’t worry! And definitely don’t stop trying and pushing toward your goal! Remember why you set out to develop healthy habits to begin with and let that re-motivate you. There are good days and bad days, and nobody is perfect. Keep pushing yourself and keep your chin up because if you want it, you will eventually get there!
Sources:
http://www.thewalkingsite.com/10000steps.html
http://www.shapeup.org/resources/10ksteps.html
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