Simply “walking” is a good starting point!

Humans are built to walk.  As in on two legs, bipedal in an upright position.

It is, in fact, according to some National Geographic and Discovery Channel and NPR documentaries that I’ve watched recently the one of very things that makes us human and makes us a distinct species and different from our nearest cousins the Chimpanzee and the Bonobo.

So, when I got a text from one of the several “send me fitness tips” places about “walking and setting step goals” — I burst out laughing!  Literally!  LAUGHED – OUT – LOUD

AFTER I calmed down and wiped the tears from my eyes, I thought two things:

1. These people need get out from behind their computer screens and look at the real world and…
2. This would be a great “Tony’s Tip” post!

Here is the quote that set me off:

A good step goal is 10,000 steps per day.  For weight loss work up to 12,00-15,000 steps per day.

GWAUF!  BWHAhahahahahahaha  LOL! 

Yeh, right.  Folks, after reading that, NOT so helpful tip, I did a poor-man’s research study as in “Google search.”

Right at the top of the search results,  I found this tidbit from a column I trust, in the New York Times”:

“A person is typically considered sedentary if they take less than 5,000 steps per day.” The study also showed that American men, with an average daily step count of 5,340, are moving more than women, who averaged only 4,912 steps a day.”

And, no, I will NOT tell you what my step count is right now.  We’ll simply say that it is below 5,000 steps.  SIGH

SO… the idea of setting a goal of “10,000 steps, Sweet Baby Jesus Help Me, (Tonya, that was just for you – GRIN) OR worse, setting a goal of 12,000-15,000 steps is ludicrous!  <<I always did want to use that word in a sentence. 🙂

YES!  Set a goal.  But make it realistic and Keep Track of your steps:

Yes, I have a goal:

 >>>>> Do one more step this week than I did last week. <<<<<

I use a pedometer to keep track of things, and wear it all day long.  I bought a low cost made by a company I trust, Omron.  Here’s a pic of it:

Omron HJ-321 Tri-Axis Pedometer, Black

It has a seven day memory so if I forget to record a day’s steps into my Excel Spreadsheet, then it is no big deal, I can do it the following day.

See ya on the dance floor!

Further Reading:

• The Pedometer Test: Americans Take Fewer Steps (New York Times)
• Walking: Trim your waistline, improve your health (Mayo Clinic)