10,000 Steps a Day Helps Keep the Pounds Away

Did you know an average person's stride length is approximately 2.5 feet long? This information was researched on a website known as The Walking Site to see the health benefit of walking 10,000 steps a day and different ways to use a pedometer to help improve your overall health. 

A sedentary person may only average 1,000 to 3,000 steps a day, but a reasonable goal for most individuals is 500 steps per day until you reach 10,000 steps per day. 



Wearing a pedometer is an easy way to track your steps each day, and you can obtain one for free by asking a staff member in the surgery department of Physicians East.   Start by wearing the pedometer every day for one week starting first thing in the morning when you get up and wear it until bedtime.  Record your daily steps in a log or notebook to keep track of your daily number to reach that goal of 10,000 steps daily. 

There are many ways to increase your daily steps. Some examples are:

• take a walk with your friend, child, or spouse
• Walk the dog
• Use the stairs instead of the elevator
• Park farther from the store
• Get up to change the channel instead of using the remote
• Window shop
• Plan a walking meeting
• Walk over to visit a neighbor
• Go outside and walk around the garden or do a little weeding

Continue to track your daily steps and mileage, and keep notes on how you feel and your progress being made each day.  If you are in very poor physical health and feel you progressing too rapidly slow down and try smaller increases or check with your physician prior to starting your exercise routine.

Information provided from The Walking Site at www.thewalkingsite.com/10000steps.html

GET UP AND GET MOVING!

Exercise is an important key when it comes to bariatric surgery and weight loss.  Its something you love or hate but regardless you have to do it to be successful in reaching your weight loss goals.  Some patients turn to gym memberships and use the equipment as their source of exercise or hire a personal trainer to assist them in learning what to do and having to "answer to someone" is the only way they will definately get it done.  Then there are individuals who want to exercise in a more fun, nontraditional way and attend classes for Pilates, Zumba, Kickboxing, and Aerobics similar to the craze of Jazzercise back in the 80s and 90s but with a kick! Check out some videos I found giving examples of a few ways you can lose weight and make it fun!

Zumba

Check out your local gyms for classes in your area.

Pilates

Check out local gyms to find classes in your area.

Regardless of how you decide to work out it is important to come up with a plan that works for you and your body.  Those individuals who work out after bariatric surgery has a larger success rate and weight loss after surgery then those individuals who do only the minimal requirements. Remember bariatric surgery is a LIFESTYLE CHANGE not a quick fix, and is only as successful as you allow it to be!

Finally I leave you with a few tips for becoming more active:

• Use a Pedometer it helps you track how many steps you take in a day, also giving you  a goal to reach of 10,000 steps per day - If you are a patient of ours we offer these to you free, just ask!
• Find a workout buddy to keep you motivated
• Mix it up - do different things to keep it fun!
• If you have joint pain, consider water aerobics and working with a physical therapist to find a way to be active that won't cause pain or injury.

Tell us how your staying active before, during, and after bariatric surgery.