| It's a fact, America is becoming obese at an | | | | miles, give or take depending on the length of |
| alarming rate and the rest of the world is | | | | your stride. You will need to purchase and wear a |
| following close behind. We are eating more (and | | | | pedometer to count how many steps you take |
| more of the wrong stuff) and exercising less or | | | | each day. Follow the directions that usually come |
| getting no exercise at all. Our health is in steep | | | | with the pedometer. Do this for a week or two |
| decline and doctor and hospital visits are at all | | | | and you will get a good average step count. Your |
| time highs. Just a brisk 30-minute walk a day can | | | | goal is to reach 10,000 or more steps each day. |
| begin to turn that around. | | | | There is nothing magical about 10,000, but it will |
| You name it, we have it, and it's getting worse. | | | | put you in the right ballpark. |
| Heart and cardiovascular disease, high blood | | | | As a general rule, a person will burn about 100 |
| pressure, stroke, out of control blood sugar levels, | | | | calories walking a mile, depending on age, size, and |
| diabetes, obesity, and more. The U.S. Surgeon | | | | fitness level. The heavier you are, the more |
| General recommends getting at least 20-30 | | | | calories you will burn. |
| minutes of moderate activity each day and many | | | | Become creative on ways to increase your steps. |
| of us are falling far short of even that. | | | | At work, go for walks at lunchtime. Go for walks |
| Studies show the average person takes about | | | | with your spouse or children. Walk the dog. Walk |
| 3000 to 5000 steps a day, and some even much | | | | to the store instead of driving, or park at the far |
| less. Let's face it, we just do not get the exercise | | | | end of the parking lot. Use the stairs instead of |
| our ancestors did a hundred or so years ago and | | | | the elevator. For me, I take brisk 2-mile walks |
| we tend to eat more refined foods. For some of | | | | around the neighborhood twice a day everyday |
| us, most of steps we take are from the easy | | | | (aerobic walking). Just do whatever works best |
| chair in front of the TV to the fridge so we can | | | | for you, but do it! You will need good walking |
| fill up on snacks. For others, like me, we sit at a | | | | shoes and socks to prevent injury when walking |
| computer all day as part of our jobs. | | | | for exercise (like aerobic walking). |
| Many fitness experts recommend we walk 10,000 | | | | Go to your favorite search engine and type in |
| steps a day to maintain our weight and overall | | | | "10,000 steps" to learn more about this life saving, |
| good health. 10,000 steps are approximately 5 | | | | life changing program. The information is abundant. |