A Pedometer For Weight Loss

The evidence is clear: one of the best ways to improve your health is to make walking a part your daily routine. Research shows that walking not only decreases your risk of developing serious medical conditions but also helps you manage weight, according to the Mayo Clinic. Whether you plan to walk around the neighborhood, explore nature on a hiking trail, or head to an indoor track, consider using a pedometer to track your daily progress.

Identification

A pedometer is a battery-operated device that counts the the number of steps you take while wearing it. If you wear it throughout the day, you will be able to keep track of not only the steps you take during your exercise sessions but also your steps as you go about your daily activities. These devices can be attached to your clothing.

Features

When shopping for a pedometer, there are features you'll want to look into before making your purchase. Be sure to check how heavy the device is and if it has a secure strap or clip; these are important considerations if you plan to wear the pedometer throughout the day. Make sure your model has a display visible in both indoor and outdoor lighting. Some pedometers come with advanced tools such as calorie counters, distance counters and the ability to save data. These are more expensive, but may be worth the cost if you want to keep track of this kind of information for weight loss purposes.

Function

Pedometers are useful for weight loss because they can help you determine, implement and evaluate your goals. Wearing the device throughout the day will give you an idea of how much you're currently walking; a total of less than 5,000 steps a day is considered sedentary, according to the American College of Sports Medicine. Aiming for 10,000 steps a day is ideal for healthy adults.

Benefits

Pedometers count all steps -- not just those taken during a fitness class or walk around the neighborhood. Use the pedometer to gauge how active you are during other times of the day -- for example, taking stairs instead of elevators or parking father away from a building's entrance. By using the device to increase your physical activity, you're also working to lose and manage weight. Walking lowers your risk of developing high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type II diabetes, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Considerations

Be aware that pedometers can pick up other movements you make throughout the day and count them towards your total of steps. The Mayo Clinic recommends cutting off the device during periods where you're not walking to help keep your count accurate. Although setting a goal for the number of daily steps can be helpful, you ultimately want to work up to the recommended daily exercise amount, according to the American College of Sports Medicine. Strive for 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Always check with your doctor before implementing a new exercise program, especially if you have any health conditions.