Walking 10,000 Steps a Day -- A Checklist for Who Can Benefit

OBESE INDIVIDUALS can benefit from walking 10K steps/day, if:

1. They want to lose weight.
2. They consult their physicians.
3. They start slowly.

SEDENTARY ADULTS can benefit from walking 10K steps/day, if:

1. They want to lower their body fat and risk of heart attack.
2. They make sure that they are fit enough to begin such a program.
3. They remember that patience and persistence are keys to long-term change.

ATHLETES can benefit from walking 10K steps/day, if:

1. They want to decrease their stress, add some energy to their days, and add some calm to their more vigorous workouts.
2. They see walking 10K steps/day as an excellent complement to their regular workouts.
3. They appreciate that the benefits might not be immediately obvious.

COLLEGE STUDENTS can benefit from walking 10K steps/day, if:

1. They want to enhance their mental acuity and stamina.
2. They are in good health.
3. They look forward to fun ways to reach this daily goal -- such as walking across campus instead of driving or catching a ride.

ELDERLY can benefit from walking 10K steps/day, if:

1. They want to improve their sleep and condition most of their muscles and bones.
2. They get a health check prior to beginning to pursue this goal.
3. They appreciate that a little progress every day is better than trying to make huge increases in their daily step-counts.

There you have it: several different angles as to who can benefit from walking 10K steps/day!