Make Every Step Count

"I don't have time for exercise."  I hear this all the time.  Most people, frankly, can make time to exercise.  It won't be found because there is always something that will fill a void.  Time for exercise has to be made.  I do know of some people, that truly have no time for exercise.  Some work two jobs or who care for elderly parents who are not well.  Exercising with small children is difficult also.  How is one to do it?

First, make every step count.  Go buy a pedometer (step counter).  They are rather inexpensive and can be found at most sporting good stores.  It is worn at the waist and will activate every time a step is taken.  Sufficient activity for one day is 10,000 steps.  Wear one around for a day and see how many steps you take.  See how many steps you need to make up and find ways of increasing them.  Park in a far corner of the lot wherever you go.  Take the stairs instead of the elevator.  It has been years since I have used the elevator at the hospital.  Take your dog for a walk.  Take a friend for a walk.  Take a bag lunch to work and go for a walk while you eat it.  Every step counts but you've got to take them.

What do you do during your down time?  Instead of going to a movie, go to the park.  Eat at a restaurant in an interesting area of town so that you can take a stroll afterwards.  When was the last time you have been dancing?  It is fun and burns those calories.  If you are going to sit and play a video game, then for goodness sake, get the Wii fit or one of the dance programs that makes you get up and move.  Walk over to your neighbor's house.  Go to the mall, but park on the other side.  Don't take the escalators but find the stairs.  In everything you do ask yourself, "How can I make every step count?"


Track your progress.  This will make you accountable to yourself.  Just this week I spoke with an 89 year old who told me that over the last 15 years he has biked over 40,000 miles.  This is a frail, old man.  He is not breaking any records for speed.  I have no doubt, though, that it has kept him alive.  By keeping track of your progress, you will find that you will naturally do small things to increase your activity.  If you only need to climb one flight of stairs to get to work, you may decide to go up two or three flights and then go back down to your level.  If you work on the 45th floor of a building, you may get off on the 40th floor and walk up the remaining five flights.  Make every step count.