ABOUT US
AIM (Activate Inspire Motivate) is a public service community outreach program with the goal of inspiring and motivating people to increase their physician activity, primarily through walking. Our volunteer organization was founded in 2022 by a high school student in San Francisco. AIM was also created to combat the increase in sedentary lifestyle exacerbated by the COVID 19 pandemic. We hope to activate, inspire, and motivate others to start walking as a physical activity to improve their health. We hold neighborhood outreach events throughout the city offering educational information and raising public awareness about the benefits of walking. Through fun and interactive meetings, we hope to motivate everyone to start walking, track their steps, and improve their wellness and quality of life.
Our monthly events offer opportunities to build community by engaging with like minded individuals. We provide free pedometers, educational reference material, help with creating goals, and offering clever ideas to make walking fun. Join us at our next event!
HEALTH BENEFITS OF WALKING
- Lower risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, stroke
- Improve blood flow
- Improve breathing and endurance
- Strengthen bones and muscles
- Increase flexibility, balance, and range of motion
- May help you maintain a healthy weight, reduce body fat
- Improve mood and sleep
- Helps reduce risk of age-related memory loss
GET STARTED
Daily Step Goals
Consult a healthcare professional before starting any exercise program.
In general walking is low impact exercise with a range of health benefits and minimum risk.
Daily step target should take into consideration age, fitness level, health conditions, and personal goals.
- Children and Teenagers Age 6 - 17 years: 12,000 steps per day
- Adults: 10,000 steps per day
- Older Adults Age 65+ years: 7,000-8,000 steps per day
*The average American walks 1 ½ - 2 miles per day
*2,000 steps = 1 mile
SMART Plan
- Set specific Goal
- Measure/Monitor progress
- Achievable goal, realistic
- Recruit support/team - encourage family and friends to join you
- Timeline - make a timeline to reach your goals and build up your endurance
Track
Pedometer
Fitness Tracker/Watch (just to name a few)
- Fitbit
- Garmin
- Apple Watch
Smartphone Applications(just to name a few)
- Google Fit (Android)
- Leap Fitness Step Counter (Android)
- Map My Walk (Android)
- MyFitnessPal (Android)
- Pedometer by ITO Technologies (Android)
- Pacer Pedometer & Step Tracker (iOS/Apple)
- StepsApp Pedometer (iOS/Apple)
- Stepz (iOS/Apple)
- Pedometer & Step Counter (iOS/Apple)
- Pedometer++ (iOS/Apple)
Fast Track to Your Goal
Add more steps to your daily routine
- Take the stairs instead of using elevators or escalators
- Go for walks during lunch breaks, while meeting with friends, or while talking on the phone
- Use restrooms or meeting rooms that are further away from your office
- Take breaks from working, watching TV, or reading to do something active
- Try new ways to get more steps, such as dancing or hiking
- Park further away from stores or other destinations
- Get off public transport a stop early and walking the rest of the way
- Walk to or from work, if possible
Make walking more fun and feel less like exercise
- Go for walks and collect leaves, or go bird watching
- Hike to a destination to draw or paint the landscape
- Walk in a garden to enjoy flowers and trees
- Compete with friends, family, and coworkers by making challenges and competitions for the highest number of steps per day, week, month
Safety Considerations
- Walk with others when possible
- Bring a phone and ID
- Let someone know your walking time, route, and destination
- Wear reflective or brightly colored clothing if it’s dark outside
ADDITIONAL INFO
More Information
Harvard
5 surprising benefits of walking
Far fewer than 10,000 steps per day can boost health
Mayo Clinic
Walking: Trim your waistline, improve your health
10,000 steps a day: Too low? Too high?
NIH
Number of steps per day more important than step intensity
Kaiser
Step up your walking routine to reap the most benefits
Get Moving : Add Steps to Your Day!
CDC
Physical Activity for Different Groups
Video
DONATIONS
AIM events are completely funded by generous contributions from family, friends, and neighbors. 100% of all donations will be used to purchase pedometers, healthy snacks, and beverages for our events. If you would like to donate to our cause, please email us or stop by one of our events.
CONTACT
Email: ActivateInspireMotivate@gmail.com
EVENTS
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
