How Many Steps Do You Really Need Each Day?
It’s no secret that the me that you see today and the one from two years ago are two very different looking people. There are a couple of things that I’ve become a firm believer in when it comes to weight loss and its maintenance. One, intermittent fasting. Read up on it. I think implementing it in your life is a game changer. And two, every day, do something to get your heart rate up and your blood pumping. There’s nothing I love more than walking a golf course when playing the game. There’s nothing that makes me feel better about myself than after I get off the elliptical machine after a vigorous hour (I built up to that over time). With either of these, I’m getting in 3.5-5 miles of walking and between 10-20,000 steps. The buzz term over the last few years has been, “you need to get in 10,000 steps a day.” But do you really? How many steps do you really need each day to be healthy?
A new study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology pretty much says that whole 10,000 steps thing is a crock. In fact, less than half that number (3,967 steps) can reduce the risk of dying at a young age. Further, by walking just a little more than 2,000 steps a day (2,337 to be exact) one reduces risk of passing away from cardiovascular disease.
Researcher Maciej Banach says, “Our analysis indicates that as little as 4,000 steps a day are needed to significantly reduce deaths from any cause, and even fewer to reduce deaths from cardiovascular disease. Our study confirms that the more you walk, the better. We found that this applied to both men and women, irrespective of age, and irrespective of whether you live in a temperate, sub-tropical or sub-polar region of the world, or a region with a mixture of climates.”
Now, let’s get specific. Man cannot live on salad and water alone. Every now and again, you’ve got to indulge. I mean, the last thing I want is to be standing in front of St. Peter thinking, “Man, I wish I’d had that last piece of pizza.” However, what are we talking about in terms of exercise to burn THAT off? I thought you’d never ask. Wales Online recently published a list of junk food favorites and the steps it takes to get rid of the nutritional damage left in their wake.
-one beer … 5,361 steps
-one glass of wine … 3,961 steps
-a large bag of potato chips … 15,428 steps
-a Diet Coke and a McChicken sandwich … 4,140 steps
-a Big Mac … 16,083 steps
-a large Domino’s pepperoni pizza … 78,688 steps
-a hot dog … 9,799 Steps
-a chocolate bar … 16,262 steps
-a pint of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream … 12,628 steps
No surprise, the European Journal of Preventative Cardiology had nothing to say about how many steps are needed for this at all! <g>
Surprising New Poll Says This Is North Carolina's Favorite Junk Food
North Carolina - Sour Patch Kids
(Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
America’s favorite overall junk food in 2023 is … Sour Patch Kids! They’re the favorite in seven states. Arizona, California, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan and North Carolina!
South Carolina - Nerds
(Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Nerds candy are the favorite in Florida, South Carolina and Virginia. I love Nerds. They do leave my mouth watering from the sourness!
New York - Kit Kat
(Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Kit Kat is the most popular chocolate bar, it’s the favorite in Nevada, New York, Oregon and Washington. That’s a great candy! The only bad part is, it melts bad in our summer heat!
Illinois - Pringles
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Pringles also did well and were the favorite in four states. Indiana, Montana and Utah. Pringles are only good when on a boat IMO.
Tennessee - Butterfinger
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Butterfinger is the top choice in Alabama, Kentucky and Tennessee. Not a big fan of butterfinger. Bart Simpson sold a lot of these in 90’s with his TV ads though!
Hawaii - Gummy Bears
(Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Gummy Bears win in two states: Colorado and Hawaii. Good one! The island of gummies, Gummy Worms are good too!
Rhode Island - Animal Crackers
(Photo by Donald Bowers/Getty Images for Lilly Pulitzer Shop & Share)
Rhode Island is the smallest state but has the biggest hunger for Animal Crackers. They’re the favorite in Maine, Missouri, Vermont and West Virginia. I remember I called my vet she said she was eating Animal Crackers. True story!
