Physical activity is an important part of a healthier and more energetic lifestyle. Take steps to improve your health by participating in the Barron County 10,000 Steps Challenge. This heart-healthy event will start on Valentines Day, February 14th. Participants are encouraged to wear step counters (pedometers) to track daily step totals during the six-week program. The goal is to add 2000 extra steps to your daily activities, eventually working up to a total of 10,000 steps each day. To increase the fun and motivation, a trophy will be awarded to the Barron County community that has the highest percentage of participants that reach these goals.
| To join the Barron County 10,000 Steps Challenge: |
- Go to www.americaonthemove.org
- Click “Join Now”
- Select “Individual Registration”
- Use the registration code for your community:
RCU100828 for Cumberland
RBA101150 for Barron
RCA101129 for Cameron
RCH101199 for Chetek
RPR101157 for Prairie Farm
RRI101829 for Rice Lake (third symbol is a capital letter I)
RTU101136 for Turtle Lake
- Follow the instructions on the screen to complete your registration. Select 2/14/2008 as your start date.
- Starting February 14th, login on the America on the Move website and enter the total number of steps you take each day. America on the Move will calculate your baseline step count based on the average number of steps you take during the first three days of the program. You will be able to select a virtual trail to follow during the challenge and will have access to other fun tips and tools.
The Barron County 10,000 Steps Challenge is open to all ages. There is no cost to register or participate. Pedometers are recommended; however, America on the Move will convert minutes of activity to steps for people that don’t have a pedometer and for physical activities that don’t involve stepping, such as skiing and skating. Pedometers can be purchased for $5 at Cumberland Memorial Hospital, Lakeview Medical Center, or Luther Midelfort Northland while supplies last. Paper tracking forms are available for those that do not have access to the internet.
The Barron County 10,000 Steps Challenge is sponsored by Healthier Cumberland, Barron County Health Department, Lakeview Medical Center, Cumberland Memorial Hospital, and Luther Midelfort Northland. We hope that this will be a challenge in which everyone wins with better health and more energy.
Wearing a pedometer can improve your health!
Most of us need to be more active, and pedometers can be a great motivational tool. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than half of American adults do not get enough physical activity to provide health benefits and almost 65% of the U.S. adult population is overweight or obese. This results in an increased risk of diabetes, hypertension, some types of cancer, gall bladder disease, liver disease, sleep apnea, respiratory problems, and osteoarthritis. In a recent study reported in the November 21, 2007, issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers found that participants who wore a pedometer walked about 2,000 more steps each day than those who don’t. That adds up to about one extra mile – and burns 100 extra calories! This study also found that pedometer users lost weight and reduced their blood pressure.
Tips to ensure your step counter is working properly:
- Clip your step counter to your waist band or belt, directly above your knee.
- Be sure it is horizontal to the ground, not angled or dangling from your clothing.
- If your step counter has a cover, make sure it is closed while you wear it.
- Test for accuracy by setting the step counter to 0 and walking 50 steps. Check the display. If the reading is between 45 - 55, your step counter is functioning properly. If it reads more or less, reposition the counter on your waist and check it again.
Source: www.americaonthemove.org
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If you’re looking for ways to sneak more steps into your day, consider the following ideas:
- Take a walk during your lunch break.
- Take a walk with your spouse, child, or friend.
- Park further away from work or the store.
- Don’t use the car for short trips – walk instead.
- Get outside to shovel snow or to do some yard work.
- Walk, run and play actively with your children or grandchildren.
- Walk around while you are on the phone. You can add about 100 steps in a five-minute conversation.
- Plan a walking meeting.
- Take a walking break instead of a coffee break at work.
- Take a walk after dinner.
- Pace in place while you watch TV.
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