10,000 Steps A Day

I have been making an effort become more fit, and I have been trying to be more conscious of taking 10,000 steps a day.

The average American takes only 3,000-5000 steps a day, and such a sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of developing one or more of the following: high blood pressure, diabetes, excess weight, stroke, heart disease, and high cholesterol levels.

I started to wear a pedometer in December, and I was surprised to learn that on average I was only taking about 6,000 steps a day, even though I usually meet friends in a local park every morning where we walk on a path that is measured to be almost a mile in circumference, and we try to walk around two to three times. Also, there are stairs in my house, which I walk up and down numerous times during the day, and I usually walk to the local stores to do shopping.

Since one mile is considered to be on the average 2,000 steps, I realized I have not been as active as I should be, and I've been trying to make more of an effort to get out for a brisk walk more times during the day.

It does take a conscious effort some days to push away from the computer, or a good book, and get out and walk, but I'm hoping that I can reach this minimal goal and improve my health.

Here is an aerial shot of the circular park path which I walk almost every morning in
Marine Park:
It's a pretty path lined with trees, and there are many regular walkers and dog walkers who we've come to know and greet every morning.

Across the street from the park is another beautiful area in which to walk called the Salt Marsh Nature Center. The salt marsh is a birdwatcher's paradise. Ducks, geese, cormorants, sandpipers, herons, egrets, red-winged blackbirds, and marsh hawks are just a few of the birds that can be seen here.

I love a picture that I took recently of a portion of the walking path in the salt marsh that reminds me of a Vincent Van Gogh painting:

What do you think?

Please join me in 10,000 steps today, and enjoy your view!