College credit for walking? That’s what the University of Georgia offers as one of its fitness classes for students. Whether this is a good sign or bad sign for our nation’s fitness is debatable.
Most of us are very familiar with the public health message about the multiple benefits of walking. A daily 20- to 30-minute walk supports cardiovascular health, weight control, and stress management. But how many of us actually follow that advice? The results might surprise you.
Nearly 40% of Americans report that they “do not exercise.” This percentage has remained stable for many years. National recommendations for daily physical activity are actually quite modest: a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate activity per week. This translates to about a half hour of brisk walking five days a week. Some recent evidence using more sophisticated activity sensors (instead of self-report information) suggests that only around 4% of adults meet that goal.
Why is it such a challenge for us to move more? There are many behavioral strategies used to engage people in lifestyle changes that can be both initiated and sustained, and these ideas have been translated to making physical activity a “habit.” This is a big help to many people.
But I also believe we sometimes over-think the concept of moving more. When we think too much about being physically active – creating the time and determining the activity – it can sometimes be too daunting and discouraging. I’d like to borrow the iconic line from Nike: “Just do it.”
Just do what, you might ask? Become a more active person in everything you do – what I call the “activity of daily living.” Be mindful of taking more steps in your day. Stand instead of sit, have a walking meeting, and be less efficient in your home so you make multiple trips up and down the stairs.
Small steps – literally – add up to big change. How have you tried to boost your activity in everyday ways?
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