One of the best ways that I’ve found to remind myself to get up and start moving is to wear a step counter. This little device attached to my waistband can serve as a great motivator to get up and outside or even simply move more around the house. The simplest measure the number of steps you take over the course of a day. The fancy ones also count calories for you and even give you the number of Weight Watcher points you’ve earned from your exercise.
The American Heart Association recommends that we all walk at least 10,000 steps a day. That can not be accomplished by walking just around the house unless you have a mighty big place. Otherwise, in order to reach the AHA’s recommended goal, you’re going to have to take a trek around the block a couple of times a day.
There is something very helpful about getting immediate and constant feedback about the number of steps I am walking in a day. Just looking down and reading the read-out helps me to either feel good because I am already close to my goal for the day or else motivated to get going because I have a ways to go before completion. Either way, I have a measurable goal in mind and this helps me to stay on track.
So, if you are having any trouble hoisting yourself off of the couch, then I recommend a step counter. The cheapest are only a couple of bucks; the most expensive can range all the way up to $200. A variety can be found at your local drug or grocery store, Wal-mart, Target or Best Buy. My sister, who was an avid walker, recommended getting the cheapest counter. Her logic was they have the least chance of having a problem. I tend to agree.
What a relief. Every step in my day counts and that makes me happy. It also helps me to realize that making the bed, tidying the house, and cooking in the kitchen can all contribute to overall good health. It’s just sitting and not moving that seems to be the problem.
Have you used a step counter? Let me know how that worked out for you by writing in the Comments Section. What keeps you motivated to get moving? I’d love to hear.
Happy walking and counting.
20 Minutes a Day 
I wear a FitBit! It cost $99, but counts steps, miles, stairs, calories. It even has a tiny digital flower that grows more leaves as I take more steps. It greets me with my name and an encouraging message when I pick it up in the morning!:) It can be used as a sleep monitor if you wear it on a wristband but I don’t do that. 6 months ago I started a fresh focus on eating less and moving more with the aid of http://www.myfitnesspal.com which tracks my diet and exercise as I wish. The FitBit can synch to MFP but I prefer to enter my own exercise. Current weight loss: 20 pounds! Other members of MFP recommended Lesley Sansone’s Walk at Home videos when I was struggling with getting my walking done in the Texas heat. They are a great way to keep walking…just plug in one of the videos and walk, walk walk!
Wow, Mary Ann, that is great. I will check into that step counter and also go to myfitnesspal.com. Your success is inspiring! Thanks so much for sharing.
Congratulations! That’s the spirit.
Would you believe the first one I tried to set I broke and the same with the second. Three times and I’m out?
Thanks, Tess. Yes, the counters can be a bit frustrating. I have a few in a drawer. My sister’s advice about a simple one seems to be true, though several people on the blog have recommended a FitBit.
I started wearing. FitBit a couple of months ago. It has definitely motivated me to be more active to get more steps or miles per day. I even go to the basement at work to get water and ice instead of getting ot on the 2nd floor near my office in order to get “stair” points. No weight loss yet, but it’s a start.
I like the sound of this FitBit! I have a Weight Watcher’s counter which is just fine. Unfortunately, my battery ran out yesterday. Maybe I’ll walk to the drug store and get another one… Thanks of your comments, Rick. Always appreciated.