Bethany, Associate Health Editor

Sorry, suede knee-high boots and red leather belt—my pedometer is my new favorite accessory. I’m seriously into this new gadget that I wear on my waistband every day. Thanks to the Walking Challenge, I now know that it’s 50 steps from my cubicle to the water cooler, 450 steps from my apartment to the grocery store and 2,000 steps from my front door to my favorite shop. Every day is a new challenge to see how far I can walk. Three miles? No sweat. I did that without even trying yesterday (although I admit that I did get up to fill my water bottle, oh, fifteen times). Five miles? Sure, especially if I wear my pedometer to the gym. My record is 17,000 steps (it was last Saturday, and the major mileage was due to shopping and running errands on foot). My newfound pedometer obsession has taught me two things. First, exercise totally adds up. Even on days when I don’t try to be active, I wind up walking a few miles. Also, everyone has time to squeeze in some fitness. Even on a crazy-busy day, I can find time to walk 2,000 steps at lunch or after work. So use your pedometer as a source of motivation, and challenge yourself to walk a little farther each day.