If there was a single human invention that can save the world from a plethora of medical conditions, it would be exercise.  Exercise can easily deal with high blood pressure, cholesterol, stress, etc.  Unfortunately, only a small percentage of the total US population is getting enough of it.

Experts recommend 30 to 60 minutes of exercise everyday for general wellness, but again, few come even close to this ideal range. Truly, modern living has brought with it its own 'Pandora' Box of problems.  Sedentary living or the “Couch Potato Syndrome” has resulted in the increased incidence of heart disease and other degenerative, chronic conditions.

Enter, the humble pedometer

A simple gadget, an invention of a few decades ago, just might be the solution to the “exercise problem” that is plaguing many hardworking folks of today.  A pedometer is an electronic gadget (usually the shape of an egg) that measures the number of steps a person takes, as he/she wears the device throughout the day.

Experts recommend that a person walk at least 10,000 steps per day for optimum health – and the pedometer allows you to measure your progress as you go about doing your day.

Your own personal motivator

Whether you are an office worker or a home-body, a pedometer can tell you your progress.  The simplicity of the device makes it a great motivator too – since you see the actual number of steps you have taken, it encourages you to make a few thousand steps more to reach your goal.

If you can use a pedometer to reach 10,000 per day, you are reducing your chances of developing a host of different cancers – surely a very wise investment for your health.

In a US study that involved more than 300 respondents, researchers asked the respondents to take 10,000 steps per day for approximately two months.  After the study, the respondents reported that they felt energized, were sick less frequently and they also started losing excess weight – all from walking 10,000 steps per day.

Having problems with arthritis?  A pedometer just might help you with natural exercise therapy.

In another study that involved seniors suffering from painful arthritic conditions, researchers gave the respondents pedometers to encourage them to increase their number of daily steps by at least thirty percent.  In 12 weeks' time, the respondents reported that their capacity to walk was enhanced and they also experienced less pain in the legs when they moved about.

Walking is also a great way to reduce your blood pressure – which is  a boon to people suffering from life-long hypertension.  Recent research published in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that if you can walk the equivalent of five blocks everyday, your risk of developing heart diseases shrinks considerably – just by walking.

Reaching your fitness goals, one step at a time

Your pedometer is your faithful ally in your fitness goals because it records even the smallest bursts of walking.  You would be surprised how much you actually move about at home or at work.  Now, if you think you are not moving enough when you are at work, try walking around during lunch time.

Also, using the stairs instead of the elevator is a good way to increase your number of steps per day.  If you are having a tough time at work, then a pedometer can also motivate you to exercise to de-stress. A ten-minute walk can do wonders for a person's stress & tension levels.  Don't reach for a pill or another sports drink – walk to de-stress.

By walking, you are also improving your stamina, metabolism and your energy level.  When you are not stressed, your mood is also affected positively, which means you would have a better day than others who don't exercise.  Regular exercise can also reduce the induction of negative emotions, such as angry flare-ups, which can affect your heart in the long-term.

And here is the absolute best thing about pedometers: it gives you all the benefits mentioned above but it doesn't cost an arm and a leg!

Sources:
msnbc.msn.com
fitness.suite101.com
stepintohealth.stores.yahoo.net