A group of researchers have conducted a study based on 3,1000 healthy adults to determine the number of steps required for weight control. Here are the findings:
- For women:
- 18 to 40 years old: 12 000 steps per day
- 40 to 50 years old: 11 000 steps per day
- 50 to 60 years old: 10 000 steps per day
- 60 years old above: 8 000 steps per day
- For men:
- 18 to 50 years old: 12 000 steps per day
- 50 years old: 11 000 steps per day
From the figures:
Men require more steps to maintain their weight compared to women. However, I am a bit skeptical 12,000 steps are needed for such a big range of ages, from 18 to 50 years old. If you look at the women groups, the number of steps recommended is actually reducing with age.
Behind the figures:
Regardless of the age and gender, the study has confirmed that those who have set up goals and keep a journal for successive increases, their activity has risen as much as 27% after 4 months. Therefore, setting target is important in whatever fitness activity we do.
Mun’s Comment:
- If you wonder how far can be 1,000 steps – depending on your stride, average person walks about 2,000 steps for 1 mile (about 1.6 kilometer). So, with your age group and its respective number for the steps required, you will know how far you need to walk to stay in shape.
- This type of research is good. At least, we know one number does not fit all. However, I am wondering how come the number of steps is reducing when we get older. When we get older, our metabolism will go down. In order to burn the same amount of calories, we probably need to exercise more. Therefore, I suspect that the experiment specimens may be under some diet control according to their age groups. This reason is something I could think of. If you have a better idea why the steps are reduced with age, I would like to hear from you too.
- Just clocking in the “steps” alone is not good enough for overall fitness. Making sure you pushing to the level which you have to huff and puff is important for your cardiovascular fitness. In other words, the intensity is equally important too. Also, not to forget to keep your muscles strong with strength training.
- Last but not least, if you are puzzling what the best way to keep track on your steps each day, invest in a good pedometer. Pedometer is a small step calculator that you can clip to your belt or pants pocket.
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Happy walking!
Category: Weight Loss 
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jack // Mar 18, 2009 at 8:54 AM
I do not like walk very much, but my wife did, so I have to go walking with my wife. It is not bad.
hi // Mar 22, 2009 at 5:58 AM
Um come on man, as people get older, they tire more easily. Day to day life makes you just want to relax. You answered the ? right there, metabolism slows down but generally life does not along with it. Thats why people exercise less.
Tom Parker // Mar 29, 2009 at 7:09 PM
Hey Mun. I’ve never been a huge fan of walking but I always make sure to park my car about 10 minutes away from my workplace in the morning so I can get a short walk in before I start work and when I finish. However, I do practice other forms of cardio so I’m not that worried about not getting 12,000 steps in per day.