Getting Fit starts here! Take the first step today!

The first step to better fitness is awareness! The 10K-A-Day program is a great way to become aware of your level of activity. And it's easy! 10K-A-Day is a 4-week physical activity program using a personal pedometer (step counter) to track your steps. It's guaranteed to improve your fitness level and make you feel great!

Simply clip on your 10K-A-Day pedometer first thing in the morning. Check it at coffee break. It's very easy to read even without taking it off your belt. If you're desk bound, you'll be surpised how few steps you have taken by lunchtime. You may be inspired to take a short walk after lunch to get those steps up!

Make it a habit to check your step count throughout the day. You might find that parking car a little farther away will help add some steps. So will walking to the store instead of driving. Get the picture? Your goal is to work up to 10,000 steps a day. Log your progress daily n the 10K-A-Day logbook that comes with your pedometer. You may not be able to achieve 10,000 steps a day at first -- that's okay! 10K-A-Day shows you how to build up to it gradually, no matter what your current activity.

Why walking?

Regular, brisk walking has been found to lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes -- even breast cancer and glaucoma.

Did you know....

• Women who walk an hour or more a week have 1/2 the risk of cardiovascular disease as those who are sedentary
• People who do consistent, moderate-intensity exercise are more likely to lose weight than those who do occasional, high-intensity workouts
• Walking 10,000 steps or more a day is an effective way to lower blood pressure, raise HDL ("good") cholesterol, and decrease triglycerides

It's true, many people are enjoying the health benefits of walking, but many more could. On average, research shows that most office workers take around 2,000 - 4,000 steps each day. But active folks take at least 10,000 steps a day... the equivalent of walking about 5 miles. According to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics, only 25% of adults achieve the recommended 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week. That's about to change with 10K-A-Day.

Discover the joys of walking

Just wearing the pedometer is a reminder of how energizing and healthful walking can be. For added support, we'll be posting helpful materials on this web site... such things as how to find an ideal walking route, avoiding blisters, encouraging a walking mate, shopping for a good walking shoe, 10 ways to make walking fun, drawings and more! Entertaining puzzles as well as print and online walking resources add to the fun.

On your own, with a friend or at your business The 10K-A-Day program is a great individual motivator; it's even more fun with a friend or family member. Involving everyone at the office is a great way to everyone motivated toward a common goal. Leslie would be happy to help you plan and kick off a 10K-A-Day program for your organization.

• Join Leslie and the Dallas Trekkers for weekly walks at White Rock Lake! More info here!
  
  
• To request information on starting a 10K-A-Day program for yourself or or your organization in the D/FW area, click here!