News Releases

May 29, 2003
AIM for 10,000 Steps surpasses 40,000 total miles walked

More than 800 people participated in this year’s AIM for 10,000 Steps community-wide exercise program, which was offered by West Georgia Health System and District Four Public Health Services beginning in March. The goal was for participants to walk 10,000 steps each day, which the overwhelming majority of individuals achieved throughout the five-week program.

Walking diaries are a key component of the program. To keep track of the miles walked, the program encouraged participants to return their walking diaries at the end of each week so organizers could track their progress. The collective final tally from participants who returned their walking diaries documented more than 84.9 million steps. That is a total of 42,485 miles walked!

This program consists of using a highly-sensitive pedometer, which can be clipped to a pocket or waistband, to measure the number of steps each person takes in one day.  By adding enough steps to this routine number to total 10,000, participants can achieve the equivalent of a daily workout. 

“Exercise has been proven to promote weight control, increase energy, and reduce the risk of heart attacks, stroke, and other diseases,” says Linda Mack, MS, RD, CDE, Director of Nutrition Services for WGHS. “Studies also show that the exercise does not have to be a ‘formal’ program, but can consist of a brisk walk for 10 minutes, three times a day, or walking 10,000 steps every day.”

She states that “10,000 steps can be easily be achieved by taking the stairs, parking farther away in the parking lot, taking a quick walk after lunch, walking to meetings, etc.”