Physical activity is good for you and walking is one of the easiest ways to build activity into your day.
10,000 Steps is all about making the decision to start positive changes in your life and increasing your physical activity. Walking is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to do this.
10,000 Steps is the recommended daily step goal for a healthy adult. With continual advances in technology - and our workplaces becoming increasingly sedentary - it now takes a concerted effort to make active choices. That's where a (free!) program like 10,000 Steps can help.
Getting started
You've made the decision to start your active and healthy lifestyle, so what do you do next?
First up you'll need a pedometer. It's sometimes easier to make active choices when you have a motivational tool such as a pedometer reminding you how many, or how few, steps you've done for the day.
Visit your local Brisbane City Council library where you can borrow a pedometer to monitor your steps for the next four weeks, or purchase one at your local stockist. Then either register on the 10,000 Steps website or pick up a step log and keep track of your steps as you increase the count each week.
If you don't live in Brisbane, other councils that also have pedometers to borrow include Logan City Council, Somerset Regional Council and Moreton Bay Regional Council.
Now it's time to to make walking a part of your everyday lifestyle. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, get off the train or bus one stop early and walk the rest of the way. If you're looking for a walking group to join, Brisbane City Council and The Heart Foundation provide a range of free walks for you to choose from with their Gonewalking program. There are also walking activities in Council's other Active and Healthy Lifestyle Programs - Active Parks, Real Adventure Women (RAW) and Growing Older Living Dangerously (GOLD).
Feeling good
There are lots of fabulous reasons to start walking - you'll feel more energised, increase your social networks and feel more connected to your community. Walking is low cost, easy to start and you'll help the environment by reducing your carbon footprint.
Next time you head out the door, instead of automatically grabbing the car keys consider using a combination of public transport and walking.
Find out more about your local Citytrain or bus service.
It's all about the journey
In South East Queensland we're spoilt for choice when it comes to fabulous places to go walking.
Brisbane has numerous parks and natural spaces and our neighbouring councils provide even more opportunity. Get outdoors and enjoy a walk in the mountains, a stroll by the river or a wander on the shoreline of the bay.
Enjoy a walk in your neighbourhood. Search by suburb to find a park near you.
Explore Greater Brisbane like a visitor and you'll be surprised what you learn about our city and surrounds.
