Why 10,000 Steps Might Not Be the Best Choice for a Healthy Lifestyle

We’ve all heard the mantra that walking 10,000 steps every day is the key to a healthy lifestyle. We hear about it constantly; but is this magic number something we should believe in, or has it been fabricated? A new and groundbreaking study is challenging the belief that taking 10,000 steps everyday is the only way to live an active, healthy lifestyle. In fact, it might be healthier to take fewer steps more regularly than to strive for this unchaining goal.

For years, the expectation of walking 10,000 steps a day has become ubiquitous among both fitness enthusiasts and general health advice. This number was created by Japanese company Yakaxa and made popular as a metric through their pedometers in the 1960s. The idea was that taking 10,000 steps a day would raise the heart rate enough to cause significant fat burning benefits.

The problem with this idea is that 10,000 steps a day can be quite daunting for people who are out of shape or don’t have the time or ability to do such a large amount of physical activity each day. Worse, for someone who is already in good shape, adding a large step goal to their workout regime might not even further their progress. The new concept being presented to us is that taking more steps less frequently can be just as helpful and maybe even more beneficial for those looking to lose weight and stay fit.

This means that one workout day consisting of 10,000 steps might be equal to 3 days at a lower intensity, such as 3,000 steps done a day for three days a week. It turns out that adding too much activity in a single setting may actually produce negative results in regards to exercise-induced stress and reduced performance. Studies are showing that intermittent training might be a better choice when it comes to getting into shape, losing weight, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

However, if you are trying to increase your overall health and welfare, small bouts of physical activity are recommended to be done multiple times throughout the day. Shorter exercises have many health benefits such as decreasing risk for common diseases, reducing fatigue, and improving mood.

What does this mean for someone who wants to stay fit? The good news is that there are many ways to stay healthy without having to stick to an outrageous goal of taking 10,000 steps a day. Finding the right routine for you will include both consistency and variety. The key is to find an approach that fits your lifestyle and takes into account how much time and energy you’re willing to put in.

Taking part in some form of physical activity can be both mentally and physically rewarding. You can also add some fun activities while still getting a physical workout, such as walking your dog, playing badminton, or even going on a hike. Working out doesn’t have to be boring and tedious, it can be a great way to try something new and spend quality time with your loved ones.

The takeaway here is that you don’t need to sacrifice a huge chunk of your day to meet a specific goal. Taking fewer steps more often may be more beneficial for your physical health and mental wellbeing than striving for 10,000 a day. Instead of trying to reach a far flung goal, create an active lifestyle that works for you, and allows you to live a healthier life.