It's a new week. A gift to all of us. A week that is full of opportunity and possibilities for us to take advantage of, if we slow down
the pace of our busy lives and just reflect for a moment, on our goals and the current status of our health.
The sick have the opportunity to heal and feel better.
The healthy have the possibility to fall sick.
It is said that wisdom revolves around seeing and taking advantage of the infinite opportunities and possibilities,
sometimes called "life miracles" a midst our hectic lives.
Here is an opportunity that all of us can dive into this week, to better our health ( physical and mental),
prevent or cure disease, manage our weight effectively
and actually reduce stress and improve the quality of living.
Walk 10,000 steps a day.
The recommended 10,000 steps a day originated in Japan in the early 1960s. Japanese researchers led by Dr Yoshiro Hatano
determined the average person took 3,500 to 5,000 steps per day, and that if they were to increase
their steps to 10,000 steps per day, the result would be healthier, thinner people!
Dr. Hatano’s calculations also showed that we should walk 10,000 steps a day to burn about 20% of our caloric intake through activity.
Today, the World Health Organisation (WHO), US Centre for Disease Control, US Surgeon General,
American Heart Foundation, US Department of Health & Human Services, and the National Heart Foundation of Australia
all recommend individuals take 10,000 steps a day to improve their health and reduce the risk of disease.
10,000 steps a day is a realistic goal that is achievable by people of all shapes, sizes and ages.
You can invest in an inexpensive to top of the line gadget that counts and tracks these steps for you.
Keeping your body fit and healthy doesn't have to be an overwhelming task. A pedometer, also known as a step counter,
can help you track your daily activity. These small devices allow you to record the number of walking or aerobic steps you take,
the distance you travel, the number of minutes you are active and even the number of calories
you burn just by getting up and moving around throughout the day.
Step counters do more than just keep a record of your daily steps. With the best pedometers,
you can track your progress over a week or even a month. You can add your personalized
information such as your weight and height for more accurate readings.
Walking pedometers aren't large devices you have to wear each day.
Many of the best digital pedometers are small and weigh less than a pound.
They strap onto your belt, or you can stick them in your pocket for convenient and unobtrusive carrying.
Don't wanna get this device? Make use of your smart phone. Download free apps like ' Walking Mate' which tracks your steps,
and provide you reminders, daily and weekly progress charts that become powerful motivating tools for you.
You can sync these apps/devices with your iPad/lap tops/desk tops and actually study your pattern of exercise.
The 10,000 Steps benchmark is about introducing physical activity into your very busy and often hectic workday,
without having to set aside ‘special’ time for exercise. You simply make yourself aware
of opportunities available to you during your normal day.
For example:
· Take the stairs instead of the lift or escalator
· Carry the shopping in one bag at a time
· Take a 5-minute walk at lunchtime
· Step out for 10 minutes with a friend or workmate
And if by dinner time, you are below your target of 10, 000 steps, there is one way to compensate for that.
Make sure your dinner is extremely light.
I strongly encourage everyone to get themselves a pedometer or download a free app. 10,000 sounds easy,
but believe me, there is effort that needs to be put in, but the results are promising
and the feeling on completing 10,000 steps, exhilarating.
Get all your family members a device, your kids too, and compare results just before dinner.
This becomes motivating and a deciding fact whether you should call in for pizza, or just eat homemade healthy
food.
Maybe you will do just 3000 steps today, but tomorrow is an opportunity to do 3500 and then 4000
and you see the possibility of achieving 10,000 steps and enhancing your health.
This little exercise can continue on holidays, business travel, where ever you are.
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