We’re excited to introduce “Steps to Health” as a new series here on I On Your Health. Step-tracking devices like the FitBit have risen in popularity, but you don’t have to use a high-tech device to make a positive move in your health journey. In this series, we’ll highlight various attractions and activities in and around Oklahoma where you can get in some of your daily steps, whether you use a FitBit, Apple Watch, a regular pedometer, or no tracking device at all. Some of our features will include familiar attractions and places of interest, while others will feature more generic everyday activities that are great for hitting your daily step goals.

Why Should I Track My Steps?

Counting your daily steps is an easy way to gauge your activity and set manageable fitness goals. There is no “magic number” of steps that will guarantee better health. Simply spending time each day engaged in moderate exercise, like walking, leads to a healthier life overall. For instance, if you sit at a desk all day for your job, take the extra initiative to park farther away, get up and walk around once an hour, or take the stairs instead of the elevator. These simple changes can all increase your overall fitness level, and you’ll rack up many more steps with minimal effort!

What Is An Ideal Daily Step Goal?

If you or someone you know has a FitBit, you’ve probably heard of the “10,000 Steps” goal. Those 10,000 steps might be an easy target if you already live a fairly active lifestyle. However, as mentioned above, 10,000 steps (which equals approximately 5 miles depending on your stride) is not a magic number. To meet the Center for Disease Control’s recommendation of 150 minutes of moderate activity per week, 7,000 to 8,000 daily steps is a great starting point. But no matter the total number of steps you’re walking or running per day, simply making it a priority to build physical activity into your daily routine will benefit your overall health.

Exercise Locations Updated Monthly

Follow along with Steps for Health to find new places to explore, manageable ways to incorporate fitness into your daily life, and tips for optimizing your walks and runs. We’ll be featuring a new Oklahoma spot each month - check out our interactive map to see where we’re stepping. One step at a time, we can make Oklahoma a healthier place to live!