Have you heard that one of the best ways to start an exercise program is by simply walking? You heard that right. When you are just easing your way back (or starting fresh) into a fitness program one of the best ways to help your body acclimate to the new workload is through walking.
Every workout should have a short-term goal and your walking program is no different. You should aim for 10,000 steps per day. You've probably heard that magic number before and it will serve as a daily concrete number to shoot for.
Why 10,000 steps?
10,000 steps is roughly equal to about 5 miles or about 60 minutes worth of walking depending on your fitness level. The US Centers for Disease Control recommend this amount of physical exercise per day.
How do you get started?
The best way to begin any exercise program is to write the time you are going to workout into your schedule and make it part of your routine just like anything else. Your health has to be a priority and therefore, you must set aside a block of time to accomplish your fitness goals each day.
I recommend picking up a cheap pedometer that will count your steps for you as you walk throughout the day. You can also feel free to break your walk into two 30-minute walks or even three 20-minute sessions. The most important thing is that you reach your daily milestone of 10,000 steps!
Believe it or not it can actually be pretty fun checking in with your pedometer throughout the day to see how many steps you've accumulated. It won't be long before you are parking further from the shopping mall entrance or sneaking in a quick walk during lunch.
It's one of the easiest ways to start reaping the benefits of good health, so get started today!
