Once you have chosen the right pedometer and you know how to wear it, you will be on your way to a fitter you! (If you need tips on which pedometer to buy and how to wear it click here.)
A pedometer is great for people who are just starting a brand new exercise program and also useful for people who want to add to an existing workout. Your goal is to get more than 10,000 steps a day. 10,000 steps is approximately five miles. This can be a tall order for some people. Do not be afraid to start slow.
On your first day wearing your pedometer, do not do anything new. At the end of the day look and see how many steps you have. Do more steps than you did on your first day the next day and even more steps the following day. It is really that easy.
Here are some more ways to help you achieve your walking goals.
- Take a short walk in the morning. Go out walking for fifteen to thirty minutes. Take your dog and he will love you for it.
- When shopping, park at the back of the parking lot. Save your car from those car door dings and get tons of steps in the process. Walk all the store's aisles once before you put anything in your basket. Walk your cart all the way back to the store entrance when you are done with it.
- March in place and pace around when no one is looking. You can do this when you are on the phone, blow drying your hair, doing dishes and folding laundry.
- At work, walk that memo over to your coworker instead of e-mailing it. On break, take a lap around the building. Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
- At lunch go to the mall, eat and do a lap around the mall. If you have time, go for another lap.
- Stroll around the block with your spouse or your kids after dinner. This will aid in digestion and give you a lot of steps on your pedometer.
- When you are watching TV, do laps around the house or even just the coffee table during commercial breaks.
- Make it a family game. Get your friends, spouse and kids involved. See who gets the most steps in a day. Some friendly competition can be very motivating.
- Write down the number of steps you do at the end of the day on a calender so you can chart your progress. Notice things like what days are harder to get walking. Do you walk more during the week and less on the weekend? Do you walk more when the kids are home or when you are working? If possible figure out how you can get more steps on the days you have fewer steps.
- If your pedometer has a calorie counter option, do not use it. Calories do not add up as fast as steps do and it can become really discouraging. Remember you are in this for the long haul to be more active and healthier overall.
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