Walk Faster, Live Longer?

A fast stride may mean living longer, reveals a National Institutes of Health study. Adults in their 70s who could walk 400 meters (about 1/4 mile) in 5 minutes were 30% less likely to die in the next 5 years compared with their peers who took 6 minutes to cover the same distance. "It's never too early to test your pace," says author Eleanor Simonsick, PhD. Ways you can do so:

1. Use a 1-minute benchmark. Strive to hit 100 steps or more in 1 minute and hold that pace (check your watch periodically).
2. 20 minute mile. Try to walk a mile in 20 minutes or less.
3. Count your steps with a pedometer. Aim to take 3,000 steps or more within 30 minutes or 1,000 in 10-minute bouts.

Here's a pedometer that will not only talk to you, but will count the calories you've burned too!

Source: Prevention December, 2007