Do You Need 10,000 Steps per Day?

We’ve all heard people say, “ I have to get my 10,000 steps in for the day,” or hear someone pacing around before they go to bed to ensure they reach that magical 10,000-step buzz. Fitbit and other wearable technology companies have brought back this 10,000-step health trend that actually originated in Japan in the 1960s. Japanese pedometers were marketed under the name of “manpo-kei,” which means “10,000 steps meter.” The idea resonated with people and stuck, specifically in walking groups. And there is definitely a method to this madness!

Getting 10,000 steps per day is worth the effort because those steps can:

·    Reduce blood pressure

·    Lower risk for heart disease

·    Lower risk for type 2 diabetes

·    Improve glucose levels

·    Lose body fat and inches

·    Improve concentration

·    Help you get better sleep

·    Give you greater enjoyment of life

·    Increase confidence and self-esteem

·    Lessen stress

Michael Roizen, from the Cleveland Clinic, said, “If you look at it, if everyone did 10,000 steps a day in America, we could probably decrease the healthcare budget by $500 billion a year and that shows how few people actually do it, and two how big a reduction in chronic disease we’d have if more did.”

Since the average American adult only walks about 5,900 steps per day, you will need to put a little extra effort into achieving this daily goal. Small changes in your daily routine can make big differences. Some easy ways to help you reach your goal are parking further away from wherever you're going, taking the stairs, or taking a 30-minute walk on your lunch break. 

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