Never walk without a Goal

Walking shoes -- check. Pedometer -- got it. But do you have a goal?

No goal? Better set one. It doesn’t even matter if you hit the mark. People who put a target on their radar -- like walking 10,000 steps a day -- walk a whole lot more than people who don’t have a goal. Studies prove it.

The End Game
Walking 10,000 steps a day is an ideal physical activity goal, according to new guidelines. (Find out how many steps the average person really takes.) And in a large review of the research, scientists discovered that people with this goal -- or a personalized step plan -- literally walked the extra mile, logging about 2,000 extra steps a day. Plus, when people tracked their progress with a pedometer, they lost weight and improved their blood pressure. (Use this tool to learn what your ideal waist size should be.)

A Few More Motivators
In addition to your comfy shoes, your daily-steps goal, and your pedometer, here are a few more tools to help you keep on keeping on:

• Some tunes: This is why you should take your iPod.
• Your furry friend: Discover the impact that Fido will have on your walking routine.
• A buddy: Find an exercise pal in the RealAge Community.

No time to walk today? Try this.

RealAge Benefit: Losing excess weight by increasing physical activity can make your RealAge 3 to 9 years younger.