Rude Awakening

This past Saturday 'Get Fit' gifted us a pedometer - and a challenge. Research says that people who walk at least 10,000 steps a day are more healthy. How far is 10,000 steps? About 5 miles.


Our instructions are to record the first week's steps. Our challenge is then to increase our next week's step by 10%. And 10% after that. And 10% after that - until we reach 10,000.


The pedometer can be a real eye opener. One report I read says that a sedentary person walks 1,000 to 3,000 steps a day. Sadly - I fall into this category. In one day at the office - with one meeting outside in which I parked at the back of the parking lots - I only clocked 1,600 steps.


So Tuesday night, I walked to the library. It was a trip on my list - I got my book tapes and steps in one errand. Finished that evening at 5,900.


Besides parking at the end of the lot for distance and taking stairs - do you have any other ideas for adding steps throughout the day?

The truth is in the numbers

I had a bit of a wake up call at my recent physical. You know the "Know Your Numbers" health messages that say it's important to know your blood pressure, cholesterol level and glucose level? Well I took a look at mine and they weren't going in the right direction.

My goal in life is to take the least amount of medicine possible. I'm a terrible medicine taker. My life is complicated enough without having to factor a med schedule. Not to mention the expense.

And I've written enough of those articles that say the best way to control your health is to control your weight. The most recent was in April's Dane Country Lifestyles (p. 16). We all know that the best way to do that is up your exercise and watch what you eat. The hard part is just doing it.

So I've committed to the Get Fit class here at Meriter. Over the next 11 weeks (we have a holiday week to contend with) I'll share my successes, my shortcomings, tips from the instructors and celebrations of the other class participants.

The first session was Monday night. I'm psyched already. Two of the women are back after having completed the last session. They report losing over 20 pounds each! And I found a new great machine - the rowing machine. What a great overall workout.