| I love my pedometer! | | | | The pedometer creates common ground between |
| America On The Move has come to the hospital | | | | people who ordinarily would have nothing to do with |
| where I work, and all my friends as well as myself | | | | each other! |
| are getting free tiny pedometers that attach to our | | | | It all began when I took my dogs to the Vet and |
| waist bands and measures every step we take. | | | | asked the receptionist if my dog Ulysses was over |
| Over the years, I've entered similar programs. One | | | | weight. |
| pedometer fell off in my pasture land, only to show | | | | She instructed me to look straight down upon his |
| up a year later, rusted and disabled. | | | | standing body and if I saw obvious bulges, then I |
| I remember getting another pedometer that | | | | would have to take him on more walks. |
| measured ten steps for every one. | | | | So I looked down at him, and saw a protruding bulge |
| After that I just let go of the idea of ever having | | | | on both sides of his body. I knew then that I would |
| one again. | | | | be taking Ule and my other dog Mukunda on daily |
| This pedometer is perfect! It does the job it was | | | | disciplined walks. |
| designed to do which is to count my steps, one | | | | About one week into our new routine, a four mile |
| stride at a time. | | | | walk along the Mill Stream in what is called the |
| Since my choice and goal is to walk the Pacific Crest | | | | (Lancaster) County Park, I heard about the |
| Trail, which surprisingly is only 10,000 steps a day | | | | pedometer and thought that recording steps would |
| from 11/16 to 12/28, I need to hustle to get those | | | | add a little excitement to what I had vowed to do |
| steps in, nevertheless. | | | | for my dogs, and also for myself. |
| 10,000 steps measures five miles. | | | | Five days of walking melted those bulges off both |
| My dogs and I walk 2-4 miles a day. I often take | | | | dogs. |
| 7,000 steps at work, and lately at home, as well. | | | | My bulges vanish ever so slightly every day. |
| If I have to go to the other end of the hospital or | | | | I notice we all sleep better; Mukunda in particular |
| my home to complete a task, I do so happily now, | | | | loves his food more than he ever did (if that is |
| knowing that my steps are getting me closer to my | | | | possible)!! |
| goal. | | | | I take deeper and more conscious breaths. |
| What is my goal? | | | | Ulysses snores more contentedly when he sleeps. |
| Besides completing the Pacific Trail hike, getting my | | | | Muki used to jump in and out of the bed all night long |
| free pedometer, and rumors have it, getting a $30.00 | | | | but now he stays in one place for hours, as we all |
| bonus, I like the idea of moving my body actively, | | | | snuggle together on these wonderful long winter's |
| getting up and moving, stepping and dancing my way | | | | nights, as the days grow shorter and the nights grow |
| through the day. | | | | longer. |
| So do all my friends who have a pedometer. This is | | | | And we vow to reject a sedentary life this year, one |
| where the fun begins. | | | | day at a time. |
| I was talking to a fellow pedometer owner last night, | | | | The pedometer serves as a motivation tool to keep |
| and we spontaneously broke into steps, dancing to a | | | | moving throughout the day and night. The America |
| tune that was transmitted through the hospital sound | | | | On The Move web site allows me to log the number |
| system. | | | | of steps I take every day, then shows where I am |
| Another of my fellow pedometer owners is a | | | | along the Pacific Crest Trail. Right now, I'm hanging |
| stalwart Republican. I admittedly represent the other | | | | out at Death Valley. Soon I will arrive at Crater Lake. |
| side of the spectrum, politically speaking. | | | | By December 28th, I should have completed the hike. |
| It would seem that I have nothing in common with | | | | The trail map is a fun way for my imagination to |
| this woman, and the 2008 election certainly | | | | play, but the exercise and activity that my |
| accentuated our opposing viewpoints. | | | | pedometer inspires is creating a daily walking and |
| Then we both became obsessed with our | | | | running habit, connecting me to people and giving all |
| pedometers. We chose the same trail. When she told | | | | of us a lifestyle we want to maintain. |
| me she slept with her pedometer, so that when she | | | | Research shows that pedometer accuracy can vary |
| gets up in the middle of the night to go to the | | | | widely, depending on the make and model. |
| bathroom and those steps are measured, too, I | | | | I am happy to report that the America On The |
| loved the zaniness of that confession! | | | | Move pedometer ranks #2 as one of the best |
| So now we have something we can talk about | | | | pedometers on the market. |
| without feeling the need to wring each others neck! | | | | I can hardly wait to tell all my friends!! |