Photo by: Brendon.
I spent the last week visiting St. Louis for my brother-in-law’s wedding. Although I was not officially part of the wedding party, there was still plenty of work for me to do. I spent at least 3-4 hours a day just shuttling people from the airport and to various relatives’ homes. I packed my workout clothes hoping that I might be able to squeeze in some time at the hotel gym, but that did not happen. As a matter of fact, I barely have time to get a good night of sleep, leaving early in the morning and returning well past midnight.
I had my Omron pedometer with me and was able to logged in my 10,000 steps most days. 10,000 steps is the recommended amount of steps for weight loss if your average baseline is 4,000 – 5,000 steps. Basically that translates to approximately 45 – 60 minutes of moderate exercise from walking for most people to get those extra 5,000 steps.
So my 10,000 steps sound good right? However, my baseline is usually 12,000 steps when I am at home. Since buying my pedometer a couple of months ago, I have developed a tendency to pace when I am doing something that does not require sitting still. On the phone? I walk up and down the hall. Brushing my teeth? I marched in place. Feeling restless? I put on my ipod and walk up and down the stairs.
The most amazing thing I discovered since getting my pedometer is that I find it much easier to figure out how active I am during the day. If I hit 5,000 steps by 3pm, I know that I only need to squeeze in a quick work out (20 – 30 minutes) at the end of the day. With my pacing and evening walks with my husband, I know that I will get more than 10,000 steps. If I only have 3,000 steps by 3pm, I know it is time to ramp up my trips to bathroom or find an excuse to go downstairs to see a co-worker.
It is the small everyday movements we squeeze in that are going to determine whether we can maintain a healthy lifestyle. The recommended 10,000 steps is a good baseline for most people? How do you keep track of how active you are during the day?
Until next time and thanks for stopping by Small Steps to Health.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Awesome tips!
I’m all about staying in shape, so I started working out on a more serious level recently.
Buying a pedometer sounds like a great idea to make sure you’re getting in those extra 5,000 steps.
And, I’m actually going to apply what you said about pacing when doing things that don’t require standing still.
Those were really good tips!
Thanks for sharing!
@Luis Gross – I also gotten another co-worker to purchase the same pedometer. Sometimes we check up on each other and compare how many steps we have taken. Just a little friendly competition to keep each other on our feet (no pun intended) since we have such a sedentary job. Thanks for the comment.
I dont.
in that I fear like with food journaling Id become crazyobsessed
I just try to get in all I can—-especially when life derails my workout plans!
Miz.