How do you know if your activity level approaches what is recommended? If you are very active and take part in a number of fitness activities regularly, then you don't have to worry. But what about all the others who only take an occasional walk?

A pedometer can show you just how many steps you take - and can thus serve as a good motivator for increasing your activity level. The current recommendation is to take 10,000 steps every day. Depending on how long your stride is, one mile can be 1900 to 2400 steps.

First, wear your pedometer all day for a week and record your daily steps. At the end of the week, calculate your daily average. If it is lower than 10,000 steps, try increasing your steps by 5 to 10 percent each week. For example, if your average is 3,000 steps, add 150 to 300 steps to your daily walk each week. In a few months, you'll be up to the recommended 10,000 steps/day.

You don't need a fancy device that will calculate distance or calories burned. A simple pedometer that just counts steps can be found at sporting goods stores for about $25.00.

Related information: Fitness Center | Diabetes and Fitness

Source:  Using a pedometer. Diabetes Self-Management, March/April 2002;19(2):29.