10,000 steps a day to keep the doctor away

WASILLA -- The average sit-down worker takes between 3,000 and 5,000 steps each day, and students at Wasilla Middle School want to change that.

As a fund-raiser, students in the physical education and health programs at Wasilla Middle School are selling pedometers, to help raise awareness of the benefits of walking.

"They are a relatively inexpensive way of monitoring your health," said teacher Ann Marie Svedin. "They count the steps you've taken, the distance you've covered and the calories you've burned."

The $40 Digi-Walker pedometers can raise awareness, but another big reason the students are selling them is because it will also raise money for their school.

All the money raised through the sales of the pedometers will go into a New Lifestyles "Did You Walk 10,000 Steps Today?" program at the school. Students will receive pedometers for use within the physical education and health department, and program materials can be purchased for other departments as well.

"All of the money raised will help our students realize how important physical activity is," Svedin said.

Pedometers can be purchased by calling Wasilla Middle School at 352-5360. The deadline for purchase is Dec. 3, Svedin said.