Sarnia, ON – Next time you visit your local library, 'book' the use of a free pedometer step counter along with your favourite read through the Walk into Health Pedometer Lending Program.

"Walking is an inexpensive way to help get in shape, and for the more than 50% Lambton County residents, who are not considered active enough, an easy way to counter physical inactivity," says Kelley Elliott, Health Promotion Officer with the County of Lambton Community Health Services Department.  "Providing pedometers at all library branches in Lambton makes the program accessible to everyone."

Pedometers count steps and give instant feedback on physical activity levels.  Being active can be measured in a variety of ways. Individuals who walk 10,000 steps a day are considered 'active', and so is someone who walks 30 minutes a day at a moderate pace.

"While 10,000 steps may seem a lot, adding steps can be as easy as parking your car further away or taking the stairs," says Elliott.  "Or if you're short on time, being active for ten minutes, three times a day is as beneficial to your overall health as one 30-minute period of activity." 

Physical inactivity is related to several chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers; adding physical activity can reduce risks. Walking for 30 minutes a day, most days of the week, not only reduces an individual's risk of chronic disease, but relieves stress, helps achieve and maintain a healthy body weight, and gives you energy.

The Walk into Health Pedometer Lending Program is a partnership between Healthy Living Lambton and Lambton County libraries.  A library card is required to borrow a pedometer, and it can be signed out for a period up to three weeks.  For more information, contact your local library.

Lambton County’s 26 branch libraries provide a variety of FREE services to the public including programming and Internet access.  For more information about Lambton County Library, visit www.lclmg.org.