That applies to exercise, too.

Many people are learning they don't have to go to a gym to start an exercise program.

The secret to getting off the couch and shedding pounds looks like a beeper, clips on your waistband and may cost as little as $30.

'It's A Challenge'

Danielle Palacio of Portland admits exercise used to be at the bottom of her list.

But now she's putting on tennis shoes at lunch and heading out for a brisk walk.

She also puts on a pedometer to count her steps -- all to reach her goal of 10,000 steps a day.

"Its a challenge," she says. "Can I get to 10,000 and how often can I get there? It's definitely made a difference."

In the couple of months since she's started pounding the pavement, Palacio has dropped 20 pounds and gained new appreciation for such a simple thing as walking.

'I'll Walk The Long Way'

Kimra Hawk, a dietitian at Portland's St. Vincent Medical Center, has 25 clients on the 10,000 steps program.

"We've known that everyone should be getting at least a half-hour of activity a day and somehow that got translated into 10,000 steps a day would help accomplish that."

For most of us, getting 10,000 steps a day is downright difficult. The average person takes only 3,000 to 5,000 steps a day.

Palacio has changed her day to register more steps on her pedometer.

"When I go to meetings I'll walk the long way," she says. "I'll walk another floor. I'll find the furthest away stairs instead. I'll find another set."

1 Mile = 2,000 Steps

A pedometer is a good way to measure exercise efforts and stay motivated.

Walking a mile is about 2,000 steps.

Dietitians say people most successful with weight loss take 12,000 to 15,000 steps a day.

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