A Word from the Amish

Did you know....that the Amish eat a fairly high-calorie diet with lots of carbohydrates and fat? And yet they have a very low incidence of obesity?

So what is the difference between the Amish and us? Well, about 11,000 footsteps a day. According to a recent study, the Amish average about 16,000 steps per day, while other Americans average around 5,000 steps per day.

In our mechanized, computerized culture, we generally have to go out of our way to get in the recommended 10,000 steps each day. (If you keep an eye on your eating, you don't have to move as much as the Amish.) I'm preaching to myself here, because I tend to get particularly sedentary during the winter.

A step-counter is not required, but they're inexpensive and it does help to keep you aware of your activity during the day. Any kind of movement will do -- walking, golf, tennis, basketball, dancing, or just jumping around in your living room. I'm going to have to step it up, how about you?

(Julie wrote in to say she's bought a pedometer and is trying to keep up with the Amish! Go for it!)