How active is your lifestyle, and is there a reliable way for you to measure it?

One method is to count steps using a pedometer. If you research^] step counting, you'll soon find that lifestyle activity levels are generally categorized as follows:

• Less than 5,000 steps per day may be used as a "sedentary lifestyle index."

• 5,000-7,499 steps per day is considered "low active."

• 7,500-9,999 steps per day is considered "somewhat active."

• 10,000 steps per day classifies individuals as "active."

• 12,500 steps per day is classified as "highly active."

I won't argue the dangers of a sedentary lifestyle or the benefits of an active one here. You already know that -- and they've been well documented.