I’m doing something a little different today – I’m inviting you to do something for free and for fun. There is some disagreement in the medical community about how many steps one should take daily to improve cardiovascular health. A goal of 10,000 steps a day is often what we aim for, but some studies show that health benefits accumulate even if fewer than 10,000 steps are taken daily.
Somewhere around 8,000-10,000 steps per day is typically linked to improved health – increased heart and lung fitness, reduced risk of heart disease and stroke, stronger bones, reduced risk of obesity and improved mood and energy.
While there may be some disagreement about the optimal amount of steps one should take daily, there is virtually no disagreement about the value of walking as exercise. That’s why I’m inviting you to a free 30-day challenge to increase how much you walk each day. It’s a fun way to track progress and stay motivated, and I’ll be joining in right along with you. I committed to 8,000 steps per day minimum, but you set your own goal. With the holiday season coming up, it will be a great way to stay active and fit, and burn calories, too. For me, it means being very intentional about moving if I want to reach this goal – for example, taking a break or two during the day to go for a walk or increasing my time on the treadmill.
There are many days I easily complete 10,000 steps in my day but I also have days when my total is definitely less than that. That’s why I’m doing this 4-week challenge and I hope you’ll join. If you have had an injury or have not been active for a while, you may want to set your goal lower, for example, at 4,000 steps. This isn’t a competition – it’s a way to support and motivate each other, whatever we are able to do!
Are you in? Message me back with your name and email here or on Facebook or Instagram and I’ll add you to the list. We can do this!