10,000 steps. A few years ago that emerged, seemingly out of nowhere, to become THE magic number of daily steps we need to be taking to stay healthy.
Seems simple, and easy enough. How hard could it be?
Then, you try it.
Like most plans, you’re gung-ho about it at first, maybe even tracking then with a watch, phone, or pedometer.
“I can do this!” you vow in those first optimistic days. “I can do this!” you cry out as you head outside past dark just to get those extra steps in.
Then, it happens.
You fall below 10,000. You fall below 9,000. You’re at 6,000 steps – or less – and eventually you stop looking at the darned thing altogether just to shake the guilt.
The pattern is nearly universal… men and women of all ages have fallen victim to it. But if you’re a senior some new research has emerged that’ll get you back on your feet in every sense.
You DON’T have to walk 10,000 steps a day.
You DON’T even have to come close to that extreme target.
There’s a much easier way…
A FEW STEPS A DAY slashes death risk 41% (or MORE)
But first let’s take a closer look at that 10,000-step goal. Ever wonder where it came from?
Well, it turns out it was the invention of a Japanese company that sold a step-counting pedometer … called the “10,000-step meter” … in the 1960s.
In other words, the number of steps was nothing but pure marketing.
But since walking IS actually good for our health, the idea caught on. And every business that benefits from the idea, from step counters to walking shoes, have pushed the 10,000 steps idea ever since.
But older folks trying to stick to it for the long term are often doomed to fail.
And if that sounds familiar don’t give up and don’t give in.
Turns out you can get nearly ALL of the benefits of a high-steppin’ habit without… well… ALL those darned steps!
The study tracked some 17,000 older women with an average age of 72. And the researchers found that taking as few as 4,400 steps per day can significantly slash your risk of dying too soon.
In fact, it’s almost as good for your health – and risk reduction – as taking TWICE as many per day.
Compared to hardly walking at all…
- 4,400 steps per day cuts the risk of death by 41 percent
- 5,900 steps per day cuts the risk of death by 46 percent
- 7,500 steps per day cuts the risk of death by 58 percent
And the most telling finding of all is that the profits END there.
They found there was NO extra benefit beyond 7,500 per day in the senior ladies.
Take a stroll for BUNCHES of BENEFITS
In other words, all that extra strolling and straining… not to mention the frustration and discouragement when you don’t reach 10,000 steps per day… is for NOTHING!
And, while this particular study was on senior WOMEN, there’s every reason to believe we’d find a similar pattern in men.
The study didn’t touch on WHY walking is so good for you. But other studies have found that a gentle daily stroll can help…
- SLASH blood pressure
- BENEFIT blood sugar
- REDUCE cholesterol
- PROTECT memory
…and MORE
So don’t let a marketing invented activity target frustrate you, especially if you’re a little older and find fitting in ALL those steps to be a struggle.
As the new study shows, doing even just a little bit… walking just 4,400 steps per day… has the power to improve your health immensely, and maybe even save your life.
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