How Pedometers Help People Lose Weight

Keep Track of Activity and Calories Burned Even While at Work

Nov 13, 2009

Pedometers are useful devices to help you keep track of activity and count the calories burned during the day.

Even though official exercise involves gym clothes and sweat, the steps taken in the office or in the home are still a part of daily activity. Pedometers are small devices that clip to the waistband, and it keeps track of the steps taken throughout the day. Once the dieter adds up all the steps taken during the day, she can estimate the amount of calories burned. Counting calories helps a dieter lose weight, and it’s beneficial for people who practice strict meal planning to avoid eating more calories than the body burns.

Using Pedometers to Track Steps

First, choose a brand of pedometer that has the options you need. The very basic options for counting calories are configurations for stride, memory, and a discreet size to wear on the belt without being noticeable. Common pedometer brands are Yamax, Omron, Sportline and Freestyle. Each of these brand name pedometers come with different options and are sold at various prices.

Pedometers detect steps taken throughout the day, so users are required to measure their stride length. Place a tape measure on the ground. Stand at the start of the tape measure and take a step forward. The stride length is measured from the heel of the foot that is forward to the heel of the foot at the start of the tape measure. Enter this length into the pedometer. Newer model pedometers are able to detect steps more accurately, but it’s important to measure the length of the stride as accurately as possible to get the best results.

Clip the pedometer to the waistband and test it by taking a few steps. Ensure the pedometer records the steps accurately. Once the settings are configured and tested, the pedometer is ready for use. A pedometer can be placed anywhere on the belt or clipped to the edge of pants, as long as it remains steady and isn’t loose.

Counting Calories Using Pedometers

Even though a pedometer only keeps track of steps, the amount of steps taken during the day can be used to estimate the amount of calories burned. For every 2,000 steps, the dieter has walked one mile. According to the University of Illinois, 100 calories are burned for every mile traveled, either by walking or running. These burned calories help dieters lose weight and plan meals to maintain a healthy weight.

Pedometers are a convenient device for any dieter who counts calories to lose weight. They are also beneficial for people who want to calculate how far they’ve walked during daily exercise. Choose a pedometer that fits your budget and your requirements, and it can be a helpful device to lose weight.

The copyright of the article How Pedometers Help People Lose Weight in Weight Loss Methods is owned by Jennifer Marsh. Permission to republish How Pedometers Help People Lose Weight in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.