10,000 Steps a Day to Your Optimal Weight: Walk Your Way to Better Health

by Greg Isaacs

Many people do not realize that on a daily basis they probably already walk 900 to 3,000 steps, even if they have a relatively sedentary lifestyle. By incorporating fairly modest changes into their day-to-day routine, people can easily increase their walking count to 10,000 steps. This book shows readers how to do just that. It serves as a tool for those who want to reap all of the rewards of walking. This paperback book includes a FREE pedometer.

Genres: Nonfiction

250 pages, Paperback

First published October 2, 2006

Reviews

[Bobbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose to read this more for the advice on increasing steps than dietary info. The dietary portion seemed to be fat-phobic and does not recognize the some fats are good. It is a good book for helping you increase your steps and give me an optimal goal of 12,000-15,000 per day to help aid weight loss.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introduction to walking as exercise with plenty of compelling reasons why one should start an exercise program.

[Andrea Menzies · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best fitness book available today. Clear guidelines for increasing your fitness level without guess work.

[Diptii · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book with clear instructions to help make a steady walker out of you and me.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Last weekend I had a cold. I needed some extremely light reading which wouldn't be interrupted by kleenex use or naps. So I headed to the library to check out a book of essays, This I Believe: On Love. As I was headed to the check out counter, I passed a display of health books, saw this one, and checked it out on impulse.

Being a library book, it didn't have the pedometer/stepcounter. (Do the librarians get to keep it?) I don't need one; I already have one which is capable of measuring my tiny steps (I only have a 16-inch stride--too short for most pedometers).

I really didn't need this kind of book. A couple of years I decided to incorporate walking into my exercise routine. I've joined the Volksmarchers at www.ava.org. I started geocaching as an excuse to get outdoors and walking more. I bought a pedometer and use the DailyMile app on my smartphone.

While I'm obese, I didn't start an exercise routine for "health reasons." I didn't want to get thinner. I didn't want to lose weight. I don't equate weight with health. However, I do have a stress problem. I've had a couple of extremely stressful years and I didn't like how stress was affecting me. After looking around, I decided walking in the outdoors would give me the proper headspace to destress and relax.

This book focuses on the "health benefits": thinner, smaller, heart attacks, etc. There were only a few sentences devoted to the stress benefits--my primary focus.

I liked the inspirations quotes (they're one of my things). I also liked the tips on how to step it up a notch. (Pun intended.) But the focus on health was a turn-off for me--I've heard it all from the doctors (early in a visit with the doctor) then they proceed to give me a clean bill of health with excellent/optimal marks in cholesterol, oxygen, etc. I can't rate the pedometer.