Is it worth taking out gym membership when using the pedometer step counting method?
At the end of the article on how to choose a gym, I make the point that wearing my pedometer is helpful even when exercising at the gym. Learning to lose weight takes many items or tools which keep you targeted and moving towards your goals. Initially if you are using the lifestyle change approach the effects are gradual and more related to well being. As you progress and understand, and more importantly integrate the process into your lifestyle, the results take place with increasing frequency.
Pedometers are a steady and reliable monitoring device which works when applied as a tool consistently. After a short learning curve the efffectiveness of recording pedometer steps for weight loss becomes obvious. It becomes a path to consistent and reliable weight loss through exercise and food control.
Now for the gym.
The gym is a great asset when walking for weight loss or using other methods to lose weight. Many people use it as the full library of exercise options and this is obviously vital part of its success. Generally it requires more than one option to ensure every day is a weight loss opportunity. Starting out counting pedometer steps or walking for weight loss can be full on for a beginner. At this stage joining a gym may see it under utilised or walking for weight loss and counting pedometer steps, neglected. Multiple strategies as a beginner can just be confusing, lead to lack of focus, energy expended without results, and a level of frustration which could tip the newbie off the process of counting pedometer steps, or more importantly pursuing a weight goal.
By counting pedometer steps, wearing that pedometer daily, and monitoring throughout the day to ensure pedometer steps are consistent with reaching the daily goal, all activity can be considered as part of the exercise program.
Some exercise though does not record accurately on most pedometers. if your weight loss program is dominated by these-running, dancing, weight training, pilates,yoga- then counting pedometer steps is not going to help but when walking to lose weight and supplementing with other activites, recording pedometer steps is essentially correct.
As you progress with the pedometer program, changes are made to facilitate continued or increases in weight loss. At this point it is a benefit to utilise both pedometer steps and other weight loss strategies to fine tune the process. The best way of course is to slowly introduce other exercises on top of the existing walking and counting pedometer steps.
