TIPS For Families

Trying to work in family time every day can be really frustrating, especially when you are feeling the pressure to exercise, get the house clean, and do all the other things that  need to be done each day.   One way to have some family time, reduce stress and exercise all at the same time is walking together.

Look for new places to explore, new places to see, or visit old favorite ones.  Going to the library to pick out a new book, or walking to the grocery store together with the intent of each carrying a bag of groceries home will really help you get exercise in, and do some of those other daily chores. 

How many steps do you need in one day? An average person needs to walk about 8,000 to 10,000 steps per day to keep healthy.  You might need to add steps if you had a few “extra” calories.  If you eat a cookie, you might need to add some extra steps.  At 15-20 steps per calorie, that means 1,500-2,000 steps to burn off that extra 100 calories you ate in that cookie.

If that seems like a lot, it might help to know that the average person already walks about 3,000 to 5,000 steps a day. Be sure to start gradually and add a few steps a day.

How far do we walk when we take 8,000 to 10,000 steps? It depends on the length of your stride. But for most of us it's about 4 to 5 miles.

Fun Step Facts

• 1 mile = 2,000-2,500 steps
• 10,000 steps = 4-5 miles
• Nine holes of golf, no cart = 8,000 steps
• One city block is about 200 steps
• Most people walk about 1,200 steps in 10 minutes. (Time yourself to find out how far you walk in 10 minutes!)

For more TIPS for Families, go to unlforfamilies.unl.edu. Let us know how you used this information by clicking on the TIPS feedback form at the bottom of this page.