To finish 10,000 steps is a difficult task? What to do if it feels like too much
With the new year beginning people taking resolutions also remarkably increase for a better healthy lifestyle. Many of us have embarked on goals for 2024. Whether in fitness, money or reading, New Year's resolutions are officially underway.
Exercising is one of the most common New Year's resolutions. But, as with all resolutions, it stands the risk of being unattainable, leaving you discouraged.
Step counters like Fitbit set the goal at 10,000 steps a day. But at the equivalent of five miles, is that a good exercise goal to start with?
A Fitbit trainer previously told USA TODAY that 10,000 steps could help people satisfy official government guidelines, which recommend 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise a week for adults.
Thankfully, there are other ways to work towards those fitness goals. USA TODAY interviewed Dr. Katrina Piercy, a director in the Health and Human Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. She works on the physical activity guidelines, using science about physical activity and health outcomes to recommend exercise.
The science says adults should be getting 150 minutes weekly of moderate intensity aerobic activity a week, with two days of muscle-strengthening activity. Piercy says even that can seem like a lot, but the evidence suggests it doesn't have to be walking or running, or even in big, consistent chunks throughout the week.
"There's many people that may enjoy going to the gym and might, you know, go for an hour run. But many are not," she said. "They might have five minutes here, 10 minutes there. And all of that adds up."
Here are some small activities you could include, especially if they make your heart beat faster:
- Active video games
- Dancing
- Household chores
- Yoga
- Yard work
- Taking the stairs
- Walking or running with a stroller
Piercy said finding small ways to incorporate activity and strength training into your everyday life can make the 150-minute goal seep more attainable. For example, you could decide to use a basket at the grocery store rather than a cart for a few minutes of strength training.
Some activities that count as muscle-strengthening according to Move Your Way:
- Mowing the lawn with a push mower
- Shoveling snow
- Rock climbing
- Gardening and weeding
- Home repairs
Exercise can also be demanding hence easy exercises are also a good way to stay fit when body doesnt cope up ended the author
