Pedometer - Boosting Brain Power and Fitness

Posted 17 February 2009

Investing in a pedometer could transform your physical fitness and your mental outlook.

Everyone knows that exercise is as much dependent on your state of mind as it is your physical ability. Walking is the most accessible, affordable and convenient way to incorporate exercise into your life. Using a pedometer, it's possible to easily trace and track your progress. And the other bonus about using a pedometer instead of joining a gym - it's enjoyable!
Half the battle when it comes to committing to exercise is getting the motivation to do it. Going to the gym for example can feel like climbing a mountain before you've even got there. The mental drive is just as crucial as the physical. And yet, looking out the window on a bright day, the urge to walk is a natural and easy one. Just by picking up your pedometer and putting on a pair of good shoes, you can walk your way into fitness - and as well as burning calories, you will boost your sense of well being.

Pedometer - Boosting Mental Fatigue

Scientists have discovered that walking in nature, even in the height of winter, not only boosts your fitness, burns calories and protects against heart disease - it's good for the brain too. A long walk in the outdoors has been shown to boost memory and concentration levels. If you're interested in losing weight, a pedometer can help. Using a pedometer, you are more likely to put effort into your stride helping to burn calories. But a mere stroll for one hour through countryside will also boost the brain's performance by a fifth.

Pedometer - Take your Pedometer for a Walk in the Country

However, although a pedometer will tell you that you are burning calories even walking up the stairs, shopping for bargains or walking through city streets - scientists say its the countryside we need if we want to boost our brain power. Scientists tested groups walking in busy streets with busy traffic, and those walking in secluded tree-lined areas. The results showed that those that walked on the nature route improved their short-term memory by 20%, although those that walked the busy streets had no improvement.

The Meditative Effect of Nature

A pedometer then is a great way to lose weight, and burn calories, but investing in a pedometer and walking in the countryside will have a dual effect - walking in the countryside allows us to switch off from the distractions and worries busy streets conjure up. Walking in nature with a pedometer not only burns fat, it has a restorative effect on our minds and emotions. Investing in a pedometer and finding a nearby nature trail, can researchers say, cure mental fatigue. The research was published in the Journal Psychological Science. One of the researchers behind the study told the Telegraph newspaper: "Interacting with nature can have similar effects as meditating. You don't hear people say, 'Well, I got really tired out looking at this beautiful waterfall'. Nature does not make any demands of you."

Interested in Using a Pedometer? Try Fitbug

Fitbug offers flexibility for you to do what exercise you can, when you can. Using the Fitbug pedometer you can get the right structure and motivation to keep you on the straight and narrow. You can choose a walking programme to suit your level and fit your schedule. As long as you have good shoes and are prepared to pick up the pace, you'll achieve your fitness, well being and weight loss goals. If you are the sort of person who likes concrete evidence of how they are getting on, print out your programme, stick it on your fridge and cross off each power walk as you complete it. To find out more, call: 0870 228 4949.