Monday, January 3, 2011

(week 9.5). particularly pedantic: pedometers

With the start of a new year, I’m trying to step up (pardon the pun, though I’m sure it won’t be the last) my daily activities. My ultimate goal is to reach 10,000 steps each day, and I believe I’m well on my way. Not only do I park fairly far out in the parking garage at work, I am on the third floor. I traipse through the compound from meeting to meeting, then find myself running after a toddler at home... When he runs out of steam, so do I.

Over the weekend, I purchased a pedometer. Nothing fancy—it’s enough to enter my step goal, and count steps and miles trekked—but it’s interesting to see the numbers. Yesterday afternoon, for spending a good amount of time playing with Noah (fairly sedentary), then chasing him around the house and more active playing, I walked 4700 steps. That was about 2.5 miles of walking according to my pedometer.

This morning, in the almost two hours I’ve had it on, I’ve gone 2800 steps, or 1.3 miles. Not too shabby, eh?

I really feel the basis for good health is being being active, so I’m starting with the basics. Make it a point to just get up and move more! Don’t try to carry to much; instead, walk smaller loads back and forth. (This is something I’m particularly living by, thanks to having to tote a baby along) Get out and stroll around! Use the time to breathe and de-stress. Every weekend, Noah and I walk around at least one store. Not only am I able to restock on the few things we need, but it gives us time to get out, change scenery and stretch our legs.

Have you used a pedometer before? What was your experience with it?

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