Pedometers Walking Off Weight
What’s a pedometer or step counter?
A pedometer is a small electronic device which counts each step a person takes. It monitors exercise progress. If used regularly, pedometers offer encouragement and a way to compete with oneself while losing weight. Keep track to stay on track.
How many steps should I take?
Start with 2,000 steps and work up to 10,000 to 12,000 a day. A mile is equivalent to 2,000 steps. Five miles equals 10,000 steps.
How do I get started?
Purchase a quality pedometer. Simply clip the pedometer onto your waistband directly in line with your knee. Set the counter to zero at the beginning of each day. Wear it from the time you get up in the morning until you go to bed at night.
Record daily steps taken on your “Food and Exercise Diary”. Increase the number of steps you take each week.
Look for ways to increase steps and decrease the size of you!
- Vacuum your house more often
- Play energizing music while cleaning and move more
- Spend more time on yard work and gardening
- Walk the sidelines while your kids play soccer
- Take the stairs instead of an escalator or elevator
- Park the car at the furthest end of the parking lot
- Take a 3-minute stretch or walk break every hour
- Use break time for a ten-minute stroll
- Walk each supermarket aisle, even if you just need milk
- Spend an evening at the gym, instead of the movies
- Take your kids for a hike in the woods
- Jump on a bike and ride for a while
- Take a dance or yoga class
- Walk your dog every day
- Join a local fitness center
- Play outdoors with your kids
- Lose the remote control
- Go roller-skating
- Swing in the park
- Go swimming
- Walk while playing golf
- Use an exercise ball
