You’ve probably heard the by now accepted view that 10,000 steps will keep you healthy for a variety of different reasons. There is a qualifier there, of course. It’s a matter of how old you are. How fit. How healthy etc., etc., etc.
The fact remains walking is good for you, if for no other reason than getting you from sitting all day, watching television, or worse, visiting your refrigerator and pantry, too often, out of sheer boredom.
Looking at the
number 10,000 steps, the first thing that will probably come to mind is that
it’s an awful lot of steps; and is likely to take a lot of time; and do you
really have the time and the energy.
No one can really tell you with certainty how much time you’re likely to take. It depends on your age, fitness, how fast or slow you walk, and even your size. Six foot something will more than likely have a bigger stride than a five foot something.
So while no one can say just how long it will take you to walk 10,000 steps, and in the end who cares, the one thing that really matters is that you walk. And not necessarily 10,000. There are some quibbles as to whether the 10,000 steps should be 8,000, or either, or neither.
As far as health gurus are concerned, even short walks could improve your health and even your mood. The really important part of the walking being its regularity and consistency rather than its length.
And if you haven’t the time, the enthusiasm or the inclination to walk for hours, there are those who suggest there are health benefits even if you walk for five or ten or fifteen minutes when you have nothing to do. And it doesn’t even have to be done out of doors. Walk up and down your hall for a specific time, or from room to room.
Some suggested times when you could slip in that five or ten or fifteen minute walk is before a meal or after a meal or both. And then there are those constant and continuous TV adds that can add up to quite a few minutes. And what about taking your dog for a walk.
The important bit is – take a walk!!!
