Hi, welcome to Walk into Health. My name is Melissa.
I'm a Public Health Nurse with Toronto Public Health.
Did you know that walking can help you reduce your stress and gain extra energy to enjoy life?
Walking has many health benefits and it's so simple to do.
Sometimes we just need a little motivation to get us going.
This is a pedometer and it's a great motivational tool.
A pedometer is an electronic device that you can wear...
and it counts the number of steps that you take.
It will allow you to create goals, track your progress...
and it motivates you to walk more.
Today, I am going to show you how to use a Walk into Health pedometer.
A pedometer is an electronic device and requires extra care.
So please try to avoid dropping it or getting it wet.
Let's start by opening the pedometer.
Hold onto the clip and push the orange tab forward.
Inside you will see the display screen and two buttons.
The white button is the reset button.
Press and hold the Reset button for 2 seconds to clear your totals and set your pedometer to "0".
The blue button is the mode button. This button lets you switch between "step" mode...
which counts steps and "Act time" mode...
which counts the time you spend walking.
If using the "Act time" mode,
the pedometer will only count time when you are walking at least 60 steps per min.
Let's switch back to "step" mode and close the pedometer. We will be using "step" mode for the rest of this video.
Next, I'm going to show you how to correctly wear a pedometer.
To start, place the pedometer on the same side as the hand you normally write with.
I write with my right hand so I'm going to put it on my right-hand side.
Clip the pedometer onto your belt or waistband. Be careful not to force the clip onto a thick belt, as the clip may break.
Line up the pedometer with your knee and make sure it's straight and not crooked.
Attach the black security strap to your clothing to prevent the pedometer from falling off.
Now we are going to do a test to make sure the pedometer is in the right position and is working accurately.
The pedometer must be closed for it to work properly.
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10
11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20.
Open the pedometer and see how many steps you've taken.
If it's between 18 and 22 steps you've found the right position for you.
If not, move the pedometer along your waistband and repeat steps 1-4.
Our bodies are all different so play with the pedometer and find the best position for you.
Some people actually find that this pedometer works best for them when they wear it on the small of their back.
Pedometers may not work for everyone. Pedometers work with the up and down motion of our hips.
If we're wearing loose waistbands or belts, the pedometer may not work accurately.
Also, if you walk with a shuffling gait or if you walk at a slower pace, the pedometer may not work. If this is your situation, we encourage you to use time to track your progress.
I hope you enjoy your walks. Remember, getting healthier begins with simple steps.
For more information about walking in Toronto and safety tips including sun safety, visit our website at toronto.ca/health/walkintohealth