Today's useless fact - What is the average number of miles a person walks in their life?

With the obesity epidemic receiving so much attention, lots of folks are talking the exercise talk. But how many are walking the walk? Depending on the links we came across the answers are:

The average person walks, in a lifetime:

* 43,538 miles (the equivalent of twice around the world)

* 65,000 miles (three times around the world)

* 115,000 miles (four times around the world plus several million trips to the bathroom)

As you see, the good news is, even by the most moderate estimates you are walking the equivalent of at least twice around the earth in your life time. Consider it two free around the world trips given you with life. Of course, where you live can greatly affect your walking distance. A web worker in Silicon Valley, for instance, probably walks a lot less than a Sherpa in Tibet. An article from South Africa states that the average American "walks less than twenty minutes in a week, including walking up stairs...around the office, etc."

A relatively recent development in health and fitness is step counting. In this sure-not-to-become-an-Olympic-sport activity, you are considered "active" if you take 7500 to 10,000 steps each day; more than that and you're into "very active" territory. Check out the links in our Walking category for more.