Get Moving - Study Finds What Really Works

Photo: mulatsherm, Flickr

Move more. It's a simple measure that leads to a healthier and more energetic life. Yet, despite knowing all the benefits of an active lifestyle, many Americans don't even meet the recommended minimum exercise level (30 minutes a day at least five days per week).

North America isn't the only continent that's spending far too much time parked in front of the TV. Australian researchers recently aimed to discover what health promotion tools would be the most effective (and cost effective) in getting their population moving.

The study included six different health interventions, all of which have proven to inspire lifestyle change to some degree. The interventions included TravelSmart (a program that details walking paths and so forth), exercise prescriptions from doctors, doctor referrals to exercise physiologists, Internet advice, a mass media campaign and the use of pedometers.

The mass media and pedometer interventions proved to be the most effective for cost and for inspiring change. So what does this mean for you? All six of the interventions set forth by Australian researchers had one common goal -- to get people moving. You can take advantage of one of their most effective interventions and motivate yourself.

Pedometers are a great tool for an active lifestyle. You can find inexpensive models that only track steps or you can spring for a more expensive model that has more bells and whistles (and may be more accurate). A great goal to aim for is 10,000 steps per day (roughly five miles). When you wake up, put on your pedometer and let it count all the steps you take throughout the day.

You'll find that your pedometer inspires you to move more -- taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking in the spot farthest away from the door, etc. These small measures will help rack up the steps, but to meet your goal of 10,000 steps, you'll have to go for a walk or run too.

Have you ever used a pedometer?