"Step Right Up..." 

To Maintaining Weight Loss

 

Have you ever wondered just how many steps you walk in a day?  Well, by wearing a pedometer when walking, we can find out.  Research shows that putting on a pedometer may be one of the best ways to not regain the weight you've lost. 

Dr. Thompson and her colleagues studied fifty-eight nonexercising women, with an average age of forty-five.  They were divided into two groups.  One group was told to take a brisk, thirty minute walk on most days of the week.  The other group was told to walk 10,000 steps every day.  The people who used the pedometer walked an average of a mile more a day (2,000 steps) than those who walked 30 minutes most days of the week.

It turns out that a pedometer helps us do what behavioral scientists say we must do to make any positive change:  set a goal; monitor it yourself; and feel the satisfaction of success once you've reached it.  Basically, pedometers allow us to know how much we're walking- and then set a goal to walk more!

There are many brands of pedometers on the market at various costs.  What matters most is that it be accurate.  Usually, a good one will cost about $20.00.  Two brands to consider are the New Lifestyles and the Digi-Walker.  Make sure to buy a pedometer you can return, because you will want to test it out at home.  And remember, 10,000 steps a day can help keep the pounds away!

Samuel D. Blackwell, MD

Big news!  Peak Nutrition and Weight Loss Clinic will be opening the doors to the Holly Springs location by the end of July.  For all those that are clients, you will have the added convenience of being able to visit either location with another OPTIFAST group also being held on Thursday evenings.  We are all excited to see it coming along so quickly, with the new sign already in place and the walls being put up this week.  It is located off of Hwy 55 in the Harris Teeter shopping plaza next to the brand new Super WalMart.  Keep those eyes on our blog to get the latest news on it's status and to get information about our Grand Opening festivities will be held in late September with Y102.9 attending.