Walk Your Way to Better Health in 2009
maintaining gym memberships and expensive outdoor activities may become more
difficult to afford as their primary ways to lose weight or stay in shape in
2009. But walking, one of the easiest and most cost-effective forms of
exercise is the perfect activity to help achieve fitness goals and decrease
your risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke.
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The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention recommends walking
10,000 steps a day to improve your overall health and fitness, help with
weight loss and prevent chronic disease. While the majority of people
recognize walking as one of the easiest ways to meet daily exercise targets,
more than half of them are unaware of the CDC’s recommended daily step count,
according to an Omron Healthcare survey of fitness habits.
“Walking can be incorporated into your daily routine whether you choose to
walk to your daily destinations such as work or the grocery store, walk your
dog, or plan a longer walk outdoors,” said Dr.
nutrition specialist, and author of The No-Time-to-Lose Diet. “Making just a
small investment in a pedometer can help you add up all of the steps you’re
taking during the day to make sure you’re reaching fitness goals.”
Dr. Jampolis’ wallet-friendly walking tips for better health in 2009:
1. Walk outdoors — it’s free! — It doesn’t cost a penny to walk to or
from work, or develop a scenic route near your house that enables you to be
safe and comfortable, while allowing you to take enough steps to add up to
your 10,000 total. Remember to always share your route with another person for
safety’s sake.
2. Fancy walking clothes not necessary: wear clothes you already have,
and remember to layer — Make sure you have the flexibility to walk indoors
and out by wearing layers. If walking outside in colder winter weather, for
example, wear a base layer of wicking fabric that keeps moisture away from the
skin, an insulating layer such as fleece or wool to keep warm, and a winter
jacket with hood if necessary for further protection from the elements.
3. Make a small investment for big gains — purchase a pedometer* — If
you make one investment as part of your walking efforts, make it a pedometer.
Research from
daily step goals walk significantly more than those who don’t. However, not
all pedometers are equal. If you shake it and hear the pendulum mechanism, it
probably isn’t accurate. Help meet your 10,000 steps with a GOsmart(R)
pedometer with proven accuracy. Some Omron GOsmart models track aerobic steps
in addition to regular steps, hook up to a computer for easy tracking of
results, or can be placed in a pocket or bag to accurately track distance
walked.
4. Add music if you can — research shows that adding medium tempo music
to your walking routine can help keep you motivated. This is especially
helpful for indoor walking as it can encourage you to walk faster and burn
more calories in the absence of outdoor scenery and variety.
5. Hydrate and check with your doctor — drink plenty of water before,
during, and after walking, and skip the expensive sports drinks or designer
waters. They add calories, cost more and are unnecessary for the average
exerciser. And be sure to seek medical advice before you start a walking
program to ensure you are healthy enough for exercise.
For many people, starting a fitness regime — even walking — and
evaluating the potential costs associated with exercising can be daunting. Dr.
Jampolis added, “For a little extra motivation, find a walking group in your
community and keep an accurate pedometer at the ready — especially one that
can easily be placed in a pocket or a bag — to monitor your progress,
ensuring you get all the credit you deserve for your efforts. Try walking
seven and a half minutes in one direction and covering the same distance back
for a 15 minute walk. It all counts.”
*Omron Healthcare offers a family of highly accurate pedometers. The Omron
Pocket Pedometers, models HJ-112 (MSRP
by Amazon in 2008 — and HJ-720ITC (MSRP
acceleration sensors allowing the pedometer to be placed horizontally or
vertically on you or clipped to your bag and automatically reset at midnight.
The HJ-720ITC stores data for 41 days and includes health management software
so users can track progress online for a holistic view of physical activity.
The Omron Hip Pedometers, models HJ-150 (MSRP
For more information, please visit http://www.omronhealthcare.com or
http://www.omronpocketpedometer.com.
About Omron Healthcare, Inc.
Omron Healthcare, Inc., located in
American sales and marketing office of Omron Healthcare Group, a leading
manufacturer and distributor of blood pressure monitors for home use. With
more than 70 million monitors sold worldwide to date, Omron Healthcare Group
was the first to introduce manual and digital blood pressure monitors into the
home healthcare market. Omron Healthcare offers innovative products and
medical devices for use in sites ranging from hospitals to the home in the
blood pressure monitoring, fitness diagnostics, thermometry, and respiratory
categories. Omron Healthcare markets clinically proven products that provide
accurate health information to consumers and physicians and support positive
lifestyle changes and health improvement.
(1) “Using Pedometers to Increase Physical Activity and Improve Health.”
Journal of the American Medical Association,
Contact:
Lila Trickle
Edelman for Omron Healthcare, Inc.
(312) 233-1218
lila.trickle@edelman.com
SOURCE Omron Healthcare, Inc.