Happy feet

Source: The Pueblo Chieftain, Colo.24小時迷你倉Jan. 07--Thousands of steps are waiting just for your feet.And how better to measure them than with a pedometer, whether a simple pocket clip-on or a sophisticated and pricey model with GPS to show where you've been and a calorie counter to show the energy you've burned."I think pedometers are a great tool to use," says Mary Cristelli, a health educator for Pueblo City-County Health Department. "They're very helpful for people who aren't getting enough exercise. They're a great visual (aid): 'This is what I'm doing and this is where I want to be.' They're an easy way to measure progress."Cristelli suggests starting simply."There are so many pedometers out there, from basic to very complicated. Get something simple, a $5 one at Walmart, clip it on and go. That way, if it's not your thing, you won't have wasted $100 or more."She advises tracking the number of steps taken in a day, for seven days, to determine a daily average."The recommendation for adults is 10,000 steps a day. If you're averaging only 1,500 a day, set a smaller goal. You don't want it to be so overwhelming that you end up quitting."Cristelli says a weekly increase of 500 to 1,000 steps a day is good if a person isn't used to getting exercise.Motivated to moveIn addition to being informative, pedometers can be fun and can keep walkers motivated, Cristelli says."Some people are competitive and enjoy the spirit of challenge. There are challenges online that 迷你倉旺角rganizations do, or you can get a group of people together -- friends, family or coworkers. Doing it (walking a certain number of steps) with a group is a great motivator; it's a way to hold yourself accountable."Some people can really get attached to pedometers."Even if you're racking up 10,000 steps only in your dreams, if you're walking at a meaningful pace, you're headed in the right direction, Cristelli says."Anything counts. Movement is movement, you're burning calories for energy. Physical activity at a meaningful pace is beneficial; it helps on the inside and with outward appearance."Walking is "really great, healthy behavior I strongly encourage at this time of year," she says. "Set a small, achievable goal -- I want to be at 10,000 steps a day by June -- and stick with it."But don't stop there because 10,000 steps is just a baseline recommendation."You can go as many as you want."Extra stepsTo add more steps to your daily total, Cristelli suggests getting up and walking to a co-worker's desk or office instead of sending an email; using any short breaks in a work schedule to walk around the building or outdoors; and making small changes in routine -- parking farther from your destination, and walking or climbing stairs instead of using an elevator or escalator.maryp@chieftain.comCopyright: ___ (c)2014 The Pueblo Chieftain (Pueblo, Colo.) Visit The Pueblo Chieftain (Pueblo, Colo.) at .chieftain.com Distributed by MCT Information Servicesmini storage