Running, walking, whatever...we all just need to move more

You know that whole thing about getting 10,000 steps a day and how important it is? Yeah, that's actually real.

Not the exact "10,000" number. That's kind of arbitrary.

It's the idea of moving a whole lot more than we Americans do now. We tend to be a very sedentary people. Not all of us, of course, but a whole lot of us.

I'll bet that most people overestimate the number of steps they get in a day unless they wear a pedometer and already know. Because if you're going to go for that 10,000 steps (which again is a good target if not a scientifically precise minimum), you'll find that it's actually quite a distance.

Stride lengths differ, but on average, 10,000 steps means five miles. Do you move five miles in a single day? I'm talking throughout the whole day, whether it's part of an intentional exercise session or not. You probably don't.

But you should.

Eat less, move more. If we did that, we would spend a LOT less on health care. And we would be happier. And fitter. And wouldn't have to shop in the "Husky" section for our clothes.

As it turns out, it doesn't matter much how you get those steps: Run, walk, whatever. Just go.

I happen to be both a walker and a runner these days, depending on my mood and how my muscles feel. Running is more efficient in terms of getting your requisite number of steps in a relatively short period of time. But the downside of running, of course, is that you have to be smart about it. Unless you're genetically programmed to withstand a good dose of daily stress to your joints and leg muscles, you need to take rest days, and you need to be strategic about the way you warm up and the pace at which you run.

Which is why so many people opt instead for walking. Even brisk walking isn't nearly as hard on your body as running is. It's just that it takes longer. You can get essentially the same benefits as you would on a run assuming you're willing and able to invest the time.

Honestly, I think your doctor will tell you it's not how you get your steps in every day, it's that you actually do it. Stay active. Schedule walking/running time, yes, but also include the little things in your day. Take the farthest parking spot that forces you to walk a little more. Climb stairs instead of taking an elevator. Occasionally walk what might otherwise be a short car trip for running errands. Stuff like that.

And do it every day. Every. Single. Day.

I don't like to be preachy about this stuff, but I'm going to do it anyway. I lost a father and a sister to heart disease, and while I realize we're all going to die in the end regardless, I would rather have you all around for as long as possible, if that's OK.

So get off your computer or your phone and go take a walk. Or a run. Whatever. Just move.