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O is for Options
10,000 Steps is aimed at increasing the levels of physical activity in the overall population. For the most part the project is promoting walking as one of the cheapest, easiest and most effective ways to obtain the activity levels needed to obtain the associated health and well-being benefits. To accumulate 10,000 steps over the course of your normal day you likely need to incorporate a 30-minute walk into your day. Overall the goal is self-propulsion, something most people do far too little of.
But of course there are numerous activity options that offer positive outcomes. Current guidelines recommend that you be as active everyday in as many ways as you can. Although walking is easily accessible, it may not be the activity of choice for everyone. The best activity is always the activity that the person enjoys and sticks with over a period of time.
From a pure energy expenditure perspective walking has many equivalents. For example a 20-minute walk (2,000 – 3,000 steps) is the rough equivalent to 10 minutes of jogging, 12 minutes of football, 16 minutes of cycling or aerobics, or 20 minutes of gardening. The choice is yours and variety will enhance your adherence to activity.
Be sure to explore your options. Physical activity should be active entertainment, not drudgery. Unfortunately we have developed too many passive entertainment options that endanger our health and well-being. So go ahead and entertain yourself by exploring the recreational options available to you.
Written by Professor Kerry Mummery
College of Health and Human Services
CQUniversity
