10K/5 A Day Diabetes Prevention
September 17, 2004
What’s going on in your world? Are you walking more? Are you eating at least 5 fruits/vegetables a day from various color groups? Now that school has started, there should be a concern about how our kids are getting their 5-9 fruits and vegetables a day and just how much exercise they are really getting. According to studies conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), most kids in the U.S. are not eating healthful, balanced diets. These studies show most kids eat too many high fat, high sugar and high sodium foods and not enough fruits and vegetables and other nutrient rich foods. Helping kids get their 5 A Day helps them get more of the nutrients their bodies need to grow and stay healthy. Parents, check out the Dole 5 A Day website. Lots of good information and fun for kids!
Has walking lost its excitement lately? Are you not getting the results you expected? Maybe you average 10,000 steps a day, as measured by your pedometer. Or maybe it’s 7,000. Point is, you are striving to hit a certain number of steps. You seek out every opportunity to walk. This means walking in place during TV commercials, having your newspaper delivered at the end of the driveway, walking at lunchtime instead of having that piece of pie. It’s time to add some challenge. If you are able, trade walking up stairs for running up stairs, or climb them two at a time; During commercials, skip to each room and hop over anything that’s on the floor, such as toys, clothes, etc.; If there are puddles (puddles?) don’t walk around them; jump over them.; Kangaroo hop to the mailbox; Wear ankle weights around the house; Walk backwards and sideways; push a weighted wheelbarrow. You get the idea. Get motivated. Get moving! Oh, and remember, footwear matters. Those people who walk 5,000 to 8,000 steps a day in inappropriate shoes are doing more damage than good.