Putting our research to the test

If you listen to Campbell and Farwell in the Morning, you know we tell you about a lot of different studies. One that really caught my ear yesterday was a study that says we’ve been doing that whole 10,000 step thing wrong. Or at least not enough because according to new research, we should actually be taking 15,000 steps every day to reap the health benefits. So I decided to put it to the test.

Ever since we got our pup, Ranger, my daily routine is to go home from work and take him for a walk. And I’ve been feeling pretty good about this! I think it’s good for both of us to be outside, enjoying the fresh air and getting a little exercise. Our walks last between 60 and 90 minutes though, to be fair, it’s not all walking. Ranger is a puppy so he stops and smells a lot of things, and other times he just decides to stop and sit down. I’m pretty sure he does this to annoy me.

Anyway, imagine my surprise yesterday when we finished our 75-minute, post-work walk, and I’d only taken 7700 steps for the day. That’s not even the previously recommended 10,000! So much for the health benefits I *thought* I was getting all this time. But I was determined. So after dinner, off we went again! And about an hour later we were back home.

Ranger crashed hard by about 8:30. Clearly he was tired. And when I checked my step count at the end of the day? Just under 13,000. Still short of the new recommendation! And here’s the thing. I just don’t have 2-3 hours every day to walk around with the dog. So how the heck am I supposed to fit 15,000 steps into my daily activity? How are any of us supposed to do it?? If you’ve got a suggestion, I’m all ears.

So there you have it. Not only do we share studies with you on the air, now we back them up with personal research. Just don’t expect me to follow some crazy advice that tells me giving up beer will help with something…

Oh, and here’s a bonus picture of Ranger for those who stuck around!

Farwell