Free Pedometer Walking Program, dph 40075 - Wisconsin

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES Division of Public Health DPH 40075 (11/04)

STATE OF WISCONSIN

PEDOMETER WALKING PROGRAM

Using a pedometer to measure the number of steps you take in a day is a good way to start a physical activity program and a good way to track your progress. On average, a moderately active person will walk 5,000 to 7,000 steps in a day, which is the equivalent of about 3 miles of walking (2,000 to 2,500 steps equals about 1 mile.). The goal you choose at 4-weeks, 6-weeks, 8-weeks or longer is up to you and will depend on your starting point and lifestyle. If you are 35 year of age or older or have any health concerns about starting or increasing your physical activity level, talk to your doctor before beginning a new physical activity program.

Week 1 Baseline:

Record your steps daily. At the end of the week, add up your steps for the 7 days and divide by 7 to get a daily step average or baseline. Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Monday Steps Today

Total Steps for Week 1 _________ ÷ 7 = _________ Daily Step Average/Baseline Would you like to set a Goal? Now that you know your baseline number of steps, do you want to set a step goal for some point in the future? If yes, pick a date in the future and right in your daily step goal here. Goal: _________ steps per day by __________ (date). To build up your steps and endurance, you should gradually increase the number of steps you walk each week. How much you increase is up to you, but this walking program suggests that you increase your walking by 500 steps per day. For example, someone who has a baseline number of 2,000 steps should try to walk 2,500 steps per day in Week 2. Using this method to project your goal for Week 3 and beyond, you would add 500 to 2,500 (Week 2) and 3,000 steps per day is your goal in Week 3 (2,500 + 500), 3,500 in Week 4 (3,000 + 500) and 4,000 in Week 5 (3,500 + 500). Using this progression, this person could double their distance in 5 weeks. You can use a smaller target for the number of steps you add each week. For example, increase the daily total at the end of a week by 300 steps instead of 500 steps or stay at a goal for more than one week if you think the progression is too rapid for you. You could also increase the added steps (ex: 500 to 700) if you want to progress more quickly. It's solely up to you and you should progress at a pace that's comfortable for you until you reach your goal.

Week 2: Gradual increase (500). Add 500 to your daily step average/baseline from Week 1 to use as your Week 2 target. (Tip: During the day take short stretching and walk breaks.) Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Steps Today Week 2 Target: ______ Total steps for Week 2 _______ ÷ 7 = _______ Average steps for Week 2.

Week 3: Gradual increase (500). Add 500 to your daily step average from Week 2 to use as your Week 3 target. (Tip: Look for easy ways to increase your steps like taking the stairs, parking farther away, etc.) Monday Steps Today Week 3 Target: ______ Total steps for Week 3 _______ ÷ 7 = _______ Average steps for Week 3. Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

DPH 40075 (11/04)

Page 2 of 2

Week 4: Gradual increase (500). Add 500 to your daily step average from Week 3 to use as a Week 4 target. (Tip: You are going to have to work harder now to increase your steps. If you haven't done so already, recruit a walking partner or group. Walking with others will help motivate you on days you are busy or don't feel like walking.) Monday Steps Today Week 4 Target: ______ Total steps for Week 4 _______ ÷ 7 = _______ Average steps for Week 4. Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Week 5: Gradual increase (500). Add 500 to your daily step average from Week 4 to use as a Week 5 target. (Tip: Make short walking trips instead of taking the car. Walk for 15-45 minutes during your lunch period.) Monday Steps Today Week 5 Target: ______ Total steps for Week 5 _______ ÷ 7 = _______ Average steps for Week 5 Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Continue your program until you reach your goal. You may want to modify your goal during this program or reset your goal once you reach it. There are a number of programs that use 10,000 steps per day as a fitness goal. This may not work for all individuals. The recommended minimum level of moderate physical activity is at least 30 minutes of activity, at least 5 times per week. In a pedometer program, 4,000 to 5,000 steps translates into 30 minutes of activity. Higher step levels will increase fitness and will also help with weight loss or weight maintenance. Just about any pedometer will serve as a basic way to track steps. However, if you're looking for a more accurate measurement or want additional features such as distance, calorie expenditure, etc. then you may want a more sophisticated pedometer. For more information on choosing a pedometer for its accuracy and list of features, visit the following Website http://walking.about.com/cs/measure/tp/pedometer.htm. If at some point you become bored with this walking program, there are several walking programs that have a variety of ideas to spice up your walking schedule. Additional ideas can be found at: http://walking.about.com/cs/measure/tp/pedometerprog.htm. If you want to expand and track your physical activity program beyond walking, check out the physical activity log at
http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/forms/DPH/dph40073.pdf .