Every Step Counts

The Pollin Center Pedometer Research Program is spearheaded by our administrator, Lori Sloman, who is deeply committed to helping her Hadassah colleagues.

Volunteer hospital employees commit to a 12 week program in which they strive to enhance their physical activity levels by increasing the number of daily steps. The program includes baseline data including weight, blood pressure and self-report of  baseline level of activity,  followed by receipt of a pedometer and weekly meetings to set goals for the next week.  At the end of the program, the measurements are repeated.

Participants are randomized into two different groups, some who receive standard tips and goal setting, and others who receive an additional intervention designed to help them overcome obstacles.  At the end of the project, we will find out if the additional intervention leads to greater accomplishments and greater adherence.

But the research is only part of the satisfaction.  Some of our participants have made truly transformative change.

DY is 44 years old, and started out depressed and sedentary. She now walks to her exercise class instead of driving, she takes the stairs at every opportunity, she walks her son to school, and she tucks in her shirt. She feels perky again.

MG really wanted to make a change. She has a PhD and works as a researcher, but despite knowing what to do she couldn’t find the time.  Ever since she put on a pedometer, she was suddenly able to find a few minutes here and a few minutes there. Then she added the stairs, she involved her young children and has significantly increased her daily steps.  She describes this as an overhaul of her mindset. Plus her children are thrilled.

SW was overweight, depressed and felt burdened by her lack of motivation.  Once she joined the program, she found the inner resources to apply herself. She walked more and more, started going out with friends to walk, and was able to increase her goal every week.  She finished the 12 week program, never missed a session, and documented a 60% increase in steps and a new positive attitude about herself.

While every participant in the walking program is important to our research, it is each woman’s story that is most valuable to us. Every woman who takes the initiative to improve her own health is our success story.