Being physically active is an important part of staying healthy. But it doesn’t have to be complicated! Studies have shown that walking 7,500 to 10,000 steps a day is a great way to achieve optimal health. If you're living with diabetes, you may be wondering how many steps a diabetic or person living with diabetes should walk in a day.
Walking 10,000 steps can also help you manage your diabetes.
Check out our One Drop Guide to 10,000 Steps to:
- Find out how walking can help you hit your blood glucose targets
- Get specific tips on how to incorporate these steps into your daily routine, no matter your activity level!
It may seem daunting at first. Ten thousand is a lot! But when you put those steps into practice and really break it down, it's not all that much.
Take, for example, a walk to the bathroom. If you're close by, it could be 20 steps. If you choose the bathroom that's on a different level, it could be 200 steps! And that's just for a trip to the bathroom.
It's especially awesome, scientifically speaking, to watch the direct correlation those steps have with your blood glucose levels.
If your blood sugar spikes a bit post-lunch, try a brisk, 20-minute walk. To watch your levels come down (and this goes for anyone!) from something so seemingly simple is extraordinary.
Beyond blood glucose
Walking does more than lower blood glucose, though. Have you ever noticed how, within about 10 minutes of your workout (whether it's a fast-paced walk, or jumping jacks, or lifting weights), your brain is suddenly charged?
It's no coincidence. Exercise and brain function go hand-in-hand. It is the most natural mental-booster around, not to mention its phenomenal benefits to memory, mental health, and overall brain performance.
So go ahead! Get your brain powered, and your blood glucose levels in-range. Even though 10,000 may sound like a lot of steps, it's actually very doable.
It's just about 1.5 hours of walking per day! And you don't have to do it all at once. Get your steps in whenever you can -- even pacing during phone calls counts. And don't forget to log your activity in your One Drop app!
