I was just talking with a client in our lab the other day and happened to mention that my pedometer reading was too low. She wondered what I meant and I explained I record the number of steps I take each day. Today the reading was too low: 2000 steps. She exclaimed, "2000! How many do you want in a day?"
Good question. I shoot for 5000 steps per day for now and must make a concentrated effort to reach 5000 steps per day. And, frankly, 5000 steps for me is not that far; about 3.0 miles. I chose 5000 because one of the worst things you can do for your body is to sit for extended periods of time and I CAN achieve 5000 (I hate to lose even to myself). Of course a lot of people sit most of the day. In fact, if you really want to know just how sedentary you are, buy a pedometer and wear it for a few days from the time you get up in the morning until the time you get back into bed. I bet you'll be shocked. The first time I recorded it, I had 1500 steps in a day.
Well, scientists have studied the effect of just getting up and moving around more each day and what they found so impressed one of the researchers he changed his office set up. People who move frequently, have a higher Non Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT), and tend to have fewer problems with fat accumulation than those who sit still. So, he put a treadmill under his computer so he can walk while he works. He found that the ideal walking speed (for working) is 0.7 mph (in case you get brave and give it a go). Great idea as long as you can walk, talk and type all at the same time. I likely would end up on the floor.
If you want to burn fat, scientists say get moving. But,as for the treadmill under my computer, I think I'll wait.
Doug Kelsey
Author. Speaker. Therapist.
