Pedometer for Weight Loss Review

 

A pedometer - also called a step counter - is a little gadget (about the size of a razor blade) that clips on your waistband (or wherever) and counts every step you take during the day.
You may think a pedometer is only necessary for runners who want to track mileage or people working with personal trainers but think again: research has shown definitively that people who are not engaged in any particular exercise, training or diet regimen can lose weight and lower their blood pressure and risk for heart attack and stroke merely by wearing a pedometer in their daily routines and keeping track of their steps.

Now, we are not talking massive weight loss here - the research results averaged about 5 pounds per year. But every little bit counts, and that's 5 lbs you didn't put on, right? More importantly, the research shows that the greater long term benefit to the pedometer was that it, literally, was the factor that drove behavioral change in the users. When people wore a pedometer they became more conscious about how much they were moving, and the keeping track of their steps encouraged them to set goals to meet and exceed. The study concluded that without changing anything else in their routines, these people still increased their overall physical activity by 27% - walking one mile a day more than they used to - merely by being conscious about trying to take a few extra steps or stairs a day. Lifestyle change!

And further evidence that it really is all a mind game - the research also shows definitively that keeping track of the steps was the key. Those in the study who did not track their steps by monitoring their pedometers also did not set goals, and ultimately did not walk any more than they had before, or increase their overall physical activity.

Clip on pedometers can run you from a couple bucks to $60, and pedometer functions are also available on sport and heart rate monitor watches. Whatever works for you and your budget - we couldn't recommend this highly enough!