How to Accomplish 20,000 Steps a Day

Health professionals say that in order to remain a healthy person (or to get to a healthier place in life) a person should be able to accomplish 20,000 steps a day. To the average person (including myself at one point) this seems like a hugely unobtainable goal, considering the fact that we live in a day and age of elevators, escalators, drive-thru windows, and an increasing dislike toward walking anywhere one can drive. However, a few simple lifestyle changes can help a person reach a goal of 20,000 steps per day without too much change in their daily life.

The first thing a person should do to help them accomplish 20,000 steps a day is to purchase a pedometer and put it on first thing in the morning when they wake up, only removing it to shower or bathe. Ignore the pedometer for a full 24 hours while you do everything you normally do, such as daily household chores, going to work, running errands, watching TV, etc. Pretend that the pedometer is not even there-do not check it even once. The next morning check the pedometer when you wake up (24 hours after you first put it on) and see how many steps you've taken in your average, run-of-the-mill day. You may find yourself surprised. This, my friend, is your starting point. Take 20,000 and subtract the amount of steps you have taken in the last 24 hours from it.

This number of steps is the goal you need to reach.

The methods of doing so are easy. Park further out in the parking lot whenever you shop or do errands. This adds on an average of 500 to 1,000 steps, depending on how far out you park. Take the stairs as opposed to the elevator or escalator. Choose the restroom stall farthest away from you. When you enter a building go the long way to your destination rather than bee-lining straight toward it. Take a walk around the block, any block, at least once a day.

The very best rule you can follow is to walk anywhere it takes you less than 5 minutes to drive to. I always walk to the store at the corner and to the Post Office, as they are about 3 minutes from my house. Yes, it takes me 20 minutes to mail a letter but I'm walking 2 miles and enjoying a pretty day. You do the same and see how hard it is. You'll find yourself walking (or biking, or running, skateboarding, skating) a lot more than you drive.

Keep your pedometer with you even on days where you relax, reminding you to at least get up and move around the block. Even if nothing else in your life changes but your need to reach 20,000 steps a day (roughly about 3 miles) you'll notice a change in your body and mind. as long as you are getting your steps in every day you are doing something good for your body.