Middle age plus 8/28

Thursday, August 28, 2003

I am inspired by the statement Leonard Ernsbarger made in his last column about taking 10,000 steps a day. Just in case some of you didn't get a chance to read the column, he said that the Diabetes Association recommends that everyone take 10,000 steps each day to improve health. These steps don't have to be taken all at once, but can be scattered throughout the day. The steps taken in ordinary routines of life count as well as those taken on a planned walk. This reminded me of the emphasis that was made several years ago in home economic classes, extension clubs and magazine articles to arrange your workspace to avoid unnecessary steps. In putting the refrigerator between the stove and the dining table were we jeopardizing our health? When my mother had to go to the cellar to get the perishable foods for each meal, and then go again to take them back after the meal, she was adding to the healthful steps they suggest for each day. I began looking at my workspaces. Our kitchen is small and I can turn from the stove and get something out of the refrigerator with only one step. But to put things on the table from the refrigerator I need to take seven steps. The microwave can be reached from the table and the sink is only four steps away. So getting a meal shouldn't provide me with many opportunities to add to my totals. In my new office (converted breezeway) I can swivel in my chair from facing the computer to get to some of my files. The TV is within reach and I can even turn on the fan by using a ruler to push the switch to the on position. But to get to my office from the living room, kitchen or bedrooms takes 30, 22, and 39 steps respectively. The most important count would be to get from the office to the bathroom. That takes 36 steps. Then I have to come back to the office so I get over seventy steps quite often. But when I sit down at the computer I remember that I left my purse in the bedroom and I need my date book which I keep in my purse before I make a telephone call. So I retrace the 39 steps to the bedroom to get… what did I come here to get? I forget. In looking around I realize that one of the cats is asleep on the bed. I don't want to leave a cat in the house. So I pick her up and take her to the front door (27 steps) and then go back to the bedroom to get…what? I still can't remember what I wanted so I give up and go back to the office and sit down at the computer. Oh yes, I need to make that telephone call, but I need my date book which is in my purse back in the bedroom. Laughing at myself for forgetting such a simple thing I retrace my steps, get the purse, go back to my computer and the phone. I search the pocket of the purse for my datebook, which isn't there. Maybe it fell out when I tossed the purse on the bed when I came in after shopping this morning. Back to the bedroom. I don't find my datebook anywhere, but I did add some steps. I decide to relax a few minutes and play a computer game and maybe I can remember where the date book is. I go back to the breezeway, sit down at the computer and then I spy the datebook lying on top of the telephone book where I put it earlier when I first thought of making that call. Now, let's see. If my figures are right I have already made about 500 steps just getting nothing done. At that rate I should easily be able to get up to 10,000. The poorer my memory becomes the healthier I will be.