We really like hearing from those of you who've taken up the heart-healthy, stress-relieving, wrinkle-banishing, brain-boosting benefits of walking 10,000 steps a day. But some of you tell us that getting 10,000 steps seems almost impossible.

Well, it isn't, and that's because it's 10,000 steps TOTAL - including walking the dog and walking downstairs to move the clothes from the washer to the dryer! Every step counts and improves your health, so you're already on your way to hitting 10,000!
 

But don't believe us; get a pedometer and wear it from the time you get up until you hit the sack (it's good to have two, so you can leave one in the car in case you forget to bring it with you). Then you'll get an accurate picture of the whole enchilada (that's a 100 percent whole-grain enchilada with tomatoes, peppers, guacamole, beans, and a little jalapeno as part of your reward, by the way!).
 

Wearing a pedometer may make you want to be more active; you'll want to see the total add up. You already know getting movin' can improve blood pressure, boost good HDL and lower lousy LDL cholesterol levels, reduce stress, improve your love life. So, keeping track of your steps might get you to do that project in the yard or the basement (there's another 500 steps, easy). And if you plan on a 30-minute walk at lunchtime, you may already be halfway there! Step out for an hour after work, you've done it! Congrats!