BOSTON -- Have you ever thought about how many steps you take in a day? It may sound trivial, but if you could reach 10,000, health experts say you would protect your heart, weight and even cholesterol.

Video

Heather Unruh Reports On Exercise HEART HEALTH Participating Restaurants Boston Goes Red For Women Virtual Heart Heart Risk Test Menu Maker Risk Factors Warning Signs Treatments Heart-Healthy Diet Know Your Heart Women and Heart Health Family History Of Disease?

NewsCenter 5's Heather Unruh reported that in fact, it could be your first step toward living a longer, healthier life.

Wendy Levinson has no idea how many steps she takes in a day.

"I don't really have time to count," she said.

As a stay-at-home mother of three, she's busy chasing the kids. Lisa Neil's exhausted after long days on her feet.

"You know, with this kind of job, I stand behind a chair all day long," Neil said.

But is she moving enough? You'd think Kerry Perkins is -- she walks dogs three to four hours a day. But how many steps does she actually take?

"When I thought about it, I had completely no idea," Perkins said.

They were all about to find out. NewsCenter 5 outfitted each woman with a pedometer for several days. Clipped onto your waistband, it counts the number of steps you take.

Levinson knew the kids kept her busy.

"You pick up toys. Every time you get up you take a couple of steps, up and down the stairs, collecting the laundry," she said.

She learned every step counts. Hers added up to an average 11,536. She topped 16,000 on the first day.

"I went to the gym, and I got my run in," she said.

Perkins guessed she walked about 5,000 a day. Boy, was she wrong.

"It was quite a shock as to how many steps I take a day. It averages about five and a half to seven miles a day," she said.

Our winning walker, Perkins nearly doubled the recommendation. She averages 17,328 -- 10,000 a day more than Neil.

"I'm not moving nearly as much as I should be," Neil said.

Averaging just 7,074 steps a day, she plans to step it up.

"I definitely need to get more exercise and move around a bit more," she said.

"Every day, I wear a pedometer," Brigham and Women's Hospital Dr. Paula Johnson said.

Johnson said that it's something everyone should try.

"I think it's helpful because when you're wearing that pedometer you can't fudge it," she said.