What is Step Up to Better Health"?"

Source: AARP.org |  | September 7, 2006

"Step Up to Better Health is an award-winning,online step counting program designed to help you increase your level of physical activity. Your goal is to build up to10,000 steps a day over a 10-week period. You'll track your steps online along one of four famous American trails—Lewis and Clark, Alaska Highway, Highway 50 or the Appalachian Trail. "Step Up to Better Health" was recognized by the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) with an innovation in physical activity programming award.

How does it work? It's easy! Just clip on a step counter first thing in the morning and wear it all day. Then at the end of the day, record your steps online or jot down your steps and log them online the next day. Each time, you'll see your progress along the trail.

Soon, you'll find yourself wanting to take the stairs, park further from the door, take the dog out, and walk around the neighborhood so that you can log more steps! You'll see your progress—and that leads to all the benefits of an active life.

Visit the revamped site today! You'll find it easy to use and, the healthy recipes section takes the guesswork out of preparing a nutritious meal. Plus motivational emails will keep you moving.

Who Can Participate?

Everyone can participate. Each of the four trails varies in length, so no matter what your current activity level is, you can be challenged and have fun as you step up to better health.

How Do I Get Started?

Visit Step Up to Better Health and register for this free program. Note: If you do not already have a step counter, you can purchase one on this Web site.

If you have completed "Step Up to Better Health," then AARP's other online fitness program, "Get Fit on Route 66", is waiting. Whether you swim, dance or play tennis, your exercise minutes are converted to miles so that you can trace a virtual route along this legendary highway. Remember—age is just a number and life is what you make it.