I have always struggled with obesity. As an obese person, I was often discriminated against for my size. I also felt uncomfortable in my own skin. When I was growing up, there was no awareness around obesity. People just scoffed at you and told you to eat less. Today, obesity awareness is all around us.
I recently walked in the Walk From Obesity event in Bloomington, MN. This event is the only one that brings together people who are directly affected by obesity. The walk benefits the ASMBS Foundation and the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC).
The walk was not as challenging for me as it was for others. For me, it was a pleasant 2 mile stroll around a scenic lake. For one man, it was a struggle to make it even halfway across the lake before he needed to be driven back to the start in a golf cart. Even though he and I do not have the same result of our efforts, we agree on one main idea.
Every step counts.
I have taken many steps in my weight loss journey. Some steps have been harder than others. There were days when I felt like I wanted to give up. When I couldn’t go on. Just like that man.
It doesn’t matter whether you have 10 pounds to lose, or 100 pounds. It doesn’t matter if your fitness goal is to complete a 5K without walking, or simply to climb a flight of stairs without losing your breath. What does matter is having the right resources to help you on your journey.
One of the resources that was distributed to us at the Walk From Obesity was a pedometer. Did you know that the average American takes 5,000 or fewer steps per day? The recommended amount is 10,000 steps. Did you know that simply measuring how many steps you take is great motivation to increase your steps?
Most efforts are long-term weight loss succeed if they are taken one step at a time. A pedometer is a good place to start!
If you would like the chance to win free weight loss tools such as a pedometer, BMI calculator, food journal, and resistance bands, now is your chance! Sign up for my Less is More workshop today. I would love to meet you there.
3 thoughts on “Every Step Counts”
My husband & I each wear a FitBit One daily now (Since May 2013) and although there are more days when I do not hit 10,000 steps than I would like, as does my husband, the fact that we count them makes us acutely aware of those days when we are way too sedentary. The fact that we both are accountants and sit for a great deal of the day just means that we have to take the time “to move”. It also helps to have someone to count with, to be slightly competitive with so when we see we are near a milestone, rather than sitting & watching TV we will get up & go walk around the park, ride the bikes down to the Luce Line trail or go to the gym… Every Step Counts!
Glad you made the FitBit work for both of you, Kathleen! I have a blog post coming up soon about Discussing your Weight with your Mate which you might be interested in. I will make sure to forward it to you when published. Thanks for sharing!
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