Every step you take throughout your day counts!

Health and fitness researchers are finding that people can achieve health benefits by exercising at a less intense level than previously thought.
Two recent studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association have confirmed that this lifestyle approach can be as effective as a traditional exercise program. Additionally, many doctors and researchers have found that wearing a pedometer is a great way to track your daily activity while inspiring you to be more active than usual.

To achieve good health, strive to take 10,000 steps a day, the equivalent of walking roughly five miles. Doing this will help burn between 2,000 and 3,500 extra calories per week. Wear your pedometer for a week (put it on first thing in the morning and don't take it off until bedtime each day), track your steps daily and then set your goal. Decide how much you would like to increase your steps per day or week.

Some of the benefits to increasing your steps include weight control, improved blood pressure and cholesterol levels and less risk for cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis or heart disease.

Remember, it takes approximately six months to adapt to a new behavior. Be patient and gradually increase your steps to the goal you wish to achieve. If you prefer, you can swim or ride a bike instead of walking. For every 30 minutes of swimming or riding your bike, add 3,000 steps to your daily total. For additional information contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 or www.cancer.org.

Source: American Council on Exercise.