Many of us keep track of our steps with our Apple watches and Fitbits and feel a sense of pride when we hit a certain number for the day. We start to realize how much movement we’re doing during the day even in small ways, such as doing chores around the house, taking the dog for a walk and going grocery shopping.
According to a new study, counting steps is directly correlated to maintaining a healthy weight. Participants, who ranged from 41 to 67 years old with body mass index levels ranging from 24.3 (healthy) to 32.9 (obese) wore activity trackers for at least 10 hours a day and researchers analyzed their health information over numerous years.
Results showed that people who walked four miles a day (approximately 8,200 steps) had a lower risk of becoming obese or developing health conditions such as acid reflux, sleep apnea, and major depressive disorder.
If you’re trying to be more mindful of your weight, keeping track of your steps may be the first step (literally).
Why Counting Steps Is Important
Counting the number of steps you walk every day can help keep you accountable. By knowing the number of steps you’re walking, you can set realistic goals to gradually increase your distance over time and also keep track of your progress, Alyssa Wilson, RD and Metabolic Success Coach at Signos, explains.
You should take into account how often you walk, how long you walk and the intensity of your walk. Tracking steps is helpful, but gradually increasing the number of steps and your pace is the key to weight loss. If your goal is weight loss, increase your daily steps by 500, Wilson states. Once that is a habit, try increasing your daily steps by another 500. The goal is 10,000 steps per day (that’s about five miles).