10,000 Steps the Magic Number?
You’ve probably heard that you should be taking 10,000 steps a day and by doing so you will be healthy and lose fat.
But will it really help you lose fat? The answer will soon be revealed but first lets explore the origin of 10,000 steps a day.
The 10,000 steps benchmark was a marketing campaign launched by a Japanese company that sold pedometers.
It was marketed to take advantage of the excitement surrounding the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and the brand name was Manpo-Kei, which means “10,000 step meter” in English. Thus, a new phenomenon was born.
Does it Work?
For health – YES
Research shows benefits of as little as 7,000 plus steps a day.
For fat Loss – YES/NO
This depends on your current situation but to find out how to walk and lose fat read on.
1. How Many Steps a Day Are You Taking?
First, assess how many steps on average per day over the last couple of months.
If you don’t have an activity tracker you can also check your smartphone’s native apps.
Android – Google Fit App
Apple – Health App
Using your smartphone native app to see your weekly and monthly step-average.
2. Are You Losing Weight?
Having reviewed your average steps, now you need to assess whether you lost weight or fat in the last few months based on your average step count.
Check your weight or measurements or how your clothes fit.
3. What’s the Situation?
You’re still gaining weight
You’re not gaining or losing weight
You’re currently losing weight
4. What’s the Strategy?
You should assess your overall lifestyle and look to reduce your food intake as well as looking to increase your step count.
You should look to increase your step count by 2000-4000 steps above your current average step count.
If you’re happy with your progress then continue as usual. If you want faster progress, increase your step count by 20000 steps a day.
Of course, if you increase your steps but end up eating more being less physically active than beforeincreasing your step count this will be counter productive.
Bear in mind that an increase of 2000-3000 steps will burn about 100 calories depending on your height and weight.
