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Fitness and Health

Here's a Fitness and Weight Loss Program for you.....

Step 1:  Buy A Pedometer

Step 2: Walk 10,000 steps per day

There is no step 3.

If you wish...you can add a step 3. Consume less calories!!  That's an added bonus "Step".

We're all looking for that magic pill that will allow us to improve our fitness and help us lose weight while sitting on the couch and watching TV.  I'm afraid after waiting many years I've finally concluded that...it's just not gonna happen.

Let's begin by confessing that most (not all) of us are lazy when it comes to improving our fitness.  Maybe lazy is too harsh a word.  But it seems to communicate our situation fairly well.  That would explain why we all seem to be eating more - and exercising less.

Again, most of us (not all) stay in the above mode until (1) we're invited to a high school reunion, (2) our Physician tells us we have some dreadful medical problem that requires us to exercise more and eat less or we'll die, or (3) divorce.

It's a shame - but true!  Publications and studies seem to come out every day that confirm our physical 'state of affairs' - and it's never good news.

What we need is a program that we can all do - that does not require a large sum of money - and that works!  That's get us back to our 2 step program (3 if you add the bonus step).

We're made for walking

First...there's a lot of evidence that tells us that 'walking' is good for us.  Just look at yourself in a full length mirror.  Notice that your legs are roughly 1/2 the length of your entire body!  That's nature making a very loud statement.  You were designed to walk. Even better news -- we all know 'how' to walk!  We don't have to learn!!!

Second...walking (or jogging/running if you wish) is incredibly good exercise.  It uses many muscles groups - and can provide aerobic benefits.  I could go on-and-on with the health benefits - but, you probably have heard it all before.  Take my word for it...it's good for you!

Third....walking 'more' is better than walking 'less'.  (This is where the 10,000 steps comes in).  10,000 steps is roughly 5 miles.  If you're like 90% of the population - you're not walking 5 miles (10,000 steps) per day.  Don't feel bad - you're in good company.  Probably 'out of shape' company -- but 'good' just the same). In fact...if you're in the present 'normal' group -- your walking around 3,000 steps per day.

 Are you starting to see the problem?? I'll help.  You're not walking enough!  Now..here comes the 'magic pill'.  The Pedometer.  The pedometer (sometimes cleverly called a Step Counter) counts your steps as you walk.  They cost between $15.00 and $40.00 - depending on the features - and you can expect them to last for years.  (For you finance people...amortize $15.00 over 5 years - and that's...let's see...$3.00 per year.  A good investment by anyone's standards).

Here's what you do.  You start with Zero steps in the morning -- and by the end of the day - you make sure your pedometer reads 10,000 steps.  It's that easy!  Will you be able to do it immediately?? No...you'll go through a period when you can only walk 4,000 steps --- then possibly 5,000 steps...then finally after some reasonable length of time - you're doing 10,000 steps per day and you're feelin good and lookin' good.  That may be a stretch -- but you'll definitely be much more active than you were before - and virtually every medical journal tells us that improved fitness from physical activity (walking) can help us improve our general health! Even reduce our risk of very serious health issues!

Another side benefit -- you won't be able to watch as much TV (because you'll be out walking).  That benefit is free!  And...because  the TV will be 'off' - you'll save electricity - which will reduce our dependency on foreign oil - which will eliminate greenhouse gases - and will reduce global warming....     We're getting a bit carried away here. 

It probably won't cure the ills of the world -- but, it will help you be more 'fit' and possibly more 'healthy' - and - if you add Step 3 (consume less calories) you may lose some pounds.  And that's progress!!!

So...the 2 step fitness program is my answer to the 'magic pill'.  Don't get me wrong.  If someone invents a product that will give me all the same benefits - I'll be back on the couch watching TV -- but, until then....my pedometer tells me I have 7,555 steps so far today - so, I've got to some walking to do!!

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