How active are you each day? Even if you manage to exercise 30 minutes per day, 6 days a week, that totals only 3 hours per week. How can you add more to your already hectic schedule?

Overall activity is more important than just exercise, especially for those people who don't like structured exercise or frequently miss their workouts. How many times have you heard "take the stairs more often" - it's hard to get motivated when you can't measure your efforts!

What can you do?

Pedometers offer a way to set concrete goals and document achievement. "Step counters" add up total daily activity by measuring hip movement, such as while you are walking. Here are a few tips on how to get started:

• Look for a reliable pedometer
• If you use a model that measures distance as well as total steps be aware that it is only accurate if you input your actual stride length and ONLY walk while measuring. If you leave the counter on during other daily activities all of your movements will be registered, but each of your "steps" may not be a full stride. 
• Counters may not work on some aerobic machines. Look for a step counter on the machine itself and add the steps to your total.
• The step counter is a good reminder to seek out alternative ways to accumulate steps. 
• Document steps along with food intake and other exercise in your daily journal. 
• To set a realistic goal, first establish a benchmark by wearing the pedometer during a "normal" week. Try to increase your daily average by 10%. 
• Find fun and creative ways to make the steps add up!