Friday, February 8, 2008

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!

7 comments:

Ele at abitofpinkheaven said...

THank you for visiting me! I have always wanted to get a pedometer. The place you walk looks lovely! Where I live it is ice and snow right now, but I walk indoors!

Rosa said...

I need to get in shape too. What a marvelous idea. Your walk looks so pretty.

Anonymous said...

Yay for you! 10,000 steps is more than we realize. What's scary is that you were already making a point of walking every day with your friends and it was still not enough:(
I have to start walking again too.

Enzie Shahmiri said...

One mile - 2000 steps... Yikes I am at a standstill...

I have found your blog through My One World - One Heart Giveaway and wanted to invite you to visit my blog.

I am having a give away of an original pen and ink drawing for my One World-One Heart Give Away

aliqot said...

Hi there Pat,

Just found your blog, through your comment on Jill and Meg's blog about the boroughs.

You have a pedometer that works? I picked a cheap one up and it's so unreliable, I don't bother.

I shall be back to your blog from time to time -I don't know your part of Brooklyn at all. There's a lot more to the place than meets the eye. (My daughter and family live near Greenwood Cemetery, so I visit maybe once a year.)

Junie Moon said...

What a lovely place to walk! I badly need to do this so I'm going to dig out my pedometer and start walking more. Thank you for the inspiration.

aliqot said...

Thanks for dropping by my blog - I'll certainly look on the Cemetery website - I'm amazed at the views you have from the highest points.

Oh, enjoy Otello.