A few posts back  I talked about  how I went for a long walk.  I remembered how “They”, whoever they are, said you need to walk 10,000 steps a day for fitness and weight loss.  I have a great pedometer that counts miles and steps so I set out to see how far 10,000 steps is.  I had a busy day in my chiropractic practice so I was a bit tired when I started.  About an hour into it I had enough.  I felt the couch calling my name.  I checked the pedometer and it said 3.85 miles and 8415 steps.  Oops, a bit short of the 10,000. 

I know I can count the steps I do at work, but work doesn’t feel like it adds to my fitness.  What I realized is the Average American is not getting anywhere close to this recommendation.  I tell my patients who sit at a desk all day long that they need to take their 2-10 minute breaks and lunch hour to get out and walk. Little by little we are losing our function.  Walking is something we should be able to do without even thinking.  Here are my suggestions- park farther away from the entrance to the store, park down the street from your work, take the stairs, drink more water so you have to get up and walk to the bathroom more, invite a friend to go for a walk, window shop. 

Remember it is the little things you do that add up.  

Happy walking!

Yours In Health!

Dr. Wendy