New years resolution to walk more, and have got a new pedometer.
By nancyrowina
@nancyrowina (3850)
January 14, 2011 3:46pm CST
I need to start exercising as I need to lose some weight and generally get fitter, I got a pedometer (thing you attach to your belt that tells you how many steps you've taken). I'm trying to meet the 10,000 steps goal that they say is the minimum we should walk every day to be healthy, but am only averaging about 5,000 a day. Though today we did go out for a long walk with the dog and I've done over 8,000 steps so far today, so nearly there. It has been really rainy the past few days which is just typical luck when I actually need to start walking every day. I'm getting my wellies back (they've been at my dads) so I can go out walking and cope in the mud after the rain stops at least.
Getting the pedometer has made me realize how far off the healthy limit a day I am though, have you ever monitored how many steps you take in a day? did you find it easy to do 10,000 steps in a day?
2 people like this
9 responses
@patgalca (18391)
• Orangeville, Ontario
15 Jan 11
I have a pedometer and I also walk on a treadmill. I walk for about an hour with my pace varying but walk about 3 miles. I still have trouble reaching the 10,000 steps count. I think I have to get up and walk around frequently throughout the day in addition to the treadmill to reach 10,000 or more. I have fibromyalgia so the pain from my treadmill walk drags me down to the point where I don't want to keep getting up and walking around. You would think a 50 minute 3 mile walk would be enough.
The last couple of nights I have taken to sitting on a yoga ball and bouncing as well as doing a few other exercises. This brings the count up and it IS exercise. The 10,000 steps is to MAINTAIN a healthy lifestyle, not lose weight. It makes it seem impossible for me to lose weight if I can't even reach 10,000 a day. You pretty much have to be an active person all day long.
The last couple of nights I have taken to sitting on a yoga ball and bouncing as well as doing a few other exercises. This brings the count up and it IS exercise. The 10,000 steps is to MAINTAIN a healthy lifestyle, not lose weight. It makes it seem impossible for me to lose weight if I can't even reach 10,000 a day. You pretty much have to be an active person all day long.2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160952)
• United States
15 Jan 11
If you are doing more than you were, it seems reasonable that you will lose weight. Everyone talks about different approaches and tactics and no one thing works for everyone. I know that yoga ball is supposed to be good to strengthen your core.
1 person likes this
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
15 Jan 11
Yes I read that 1000 steps isn't sufficient to lose weight can't remeebr how many steps it is to do that. The advice this guy gives in this blog post is good.
http://www.lose-weight-feel-great.com/2009/06/08/almost-free-pedometer-walking-program-to-lose-weight/
He basically says just wear the pedometer and see how many steps you do every day in a week them aim to keep doing the highest number you did that week and gradually build on it.
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
15 Jan 11
I'm constantly walking with a pedometer however I can't seem to get to the 10,000 mark. I have gotten to 7800 steps in a day. I know if I was working I would make it but since I'm only walking around the house both inside and out or at the mall its not easy to accomplish 10,000 steps in a day. However, the many that I do in a day is better then nothing in my opinion. I hope you get to your 10,000 aday and I hope to get there myself one day soon. Have a great weekend!
1 person likes this
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
15 Jan 11
I got to 9392 yesterday so it's getting better, having a dog helps as it gives you a reason to go out walking.
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@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
15 Jan 11
Good for you 9392 that is great! Yes I have a dog but I only walk to the corner mailbox with him. There is to much traffic and no sidewalk to be able to walk around my area unfortunately.
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
15 Jan 11
Recently it's just been the weather that's been stopping me, and it's not raining today so I shall be out walking soon hopefully. Hope your toe gets better soon.
1 person likes this
@youless (112586)
• Guangzhou, China
15 Jan 11
This is good for you. In fact today the cellphone can have an app and it works as well as the pedometer. I often walk. Everyday I go to work and go home on foot and it spends me about half an hour. I regard it as my daily exercise.
I love China
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
15 Jan 11
I've heard of the app, my phone has the motion sensor so I should be able to use it too, but I've just never used my phone for apps.
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
14 Jan 11
Dunno how easy it is, but I do a lot of moving about in a given day, and it is more enjoyable since I bought Shape-up shoes from Skecher. When I don't have to run errands and the weather suggests staying in, I like to jump on my mini-trampoline. I do not count the steps, though, as I just do what I want to do. My bicycle has an odometer, however, and I do like to keep track of how far I have ridden. Before retiring I used to run up and down 3 flights of stairs a whole bunch of times every day. They had an elevator, but I liked to use the stairs for exercise.
1 person likes this
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
15 Jan 11
I want to get an odometer for my bike too, but I only use it in the summer so there's no need to yet. I haven't got a mini trampoline either though I hear they are good exercise, I'll have to look into how expensive they are. My pedometer instructions said it's not accurate if you jump though.
1 person likes this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
16 Jan 11
You are right that the pocket type thingees don't count jumps. I waited to get my trampoline until the sporting goods store had a half price sale. I love my trampoline and leave it right in the living room. People come in and ask where is your chair and I tell them "I don't sit, I jump!"
@celticeagle (168269)
• Boise, Idaho
14 Jan 11
I used to use a pedpmeter. I worked in a huge call center and would walk from one end of it to the other in foul weather. In nice weather several co-workers and I would walk outside. I counted over 12,000 steps some days. I have a nice area around my apartment to walk and a park closeby as well. Having a pedometer helps you see how many steps you walk each day.
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
14 Jan 11
I live in a place where I can walk by the sea and on beaches, though it is very cold in the winter and over the past few days has been really rainy too. It is good to have the pedometer as it gives you the motivation to do more.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (168269)
• Boise, Idaho
14 Jan 11
I would love to walk by the ocean again at some point. Any little tricks to help motivate are a good thing.
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@GardenGerty (160952)
• United States
15 Jan 11
I got a new pedometer a while back, but I do not do nearly as well as you do. Of course it is winter now, and the weather is kind of yucky. I definitely need to lose weight and walking is such a good way to work on fitness. I do not get anywhere near 10,000 steps, a really good day is close to 5,000 steps.
1 person likes this
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
15 Jan 11
It's annoying that just at the time everyone goes on a diet and wants to get fitter it's the worst time of the year to do it. I do find that doing the house work pushes up my step count but I haven't yet reached anywhere near 10000 doing that alone.
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
14 Jan 11
until a few years ago and a fall. I was walking ten thousand steps by
bedtime as I paged books and media in the library and was walking back and forth all day then walked home too but then came the bad fall and fractured shoulder and twisted left knew. My pedometer lies still now as I am just lucky to be able to walk right now. A lso I gained weight which is not belping my diabetes one bit but I was still pretty healthy before the fall. lol lol
came the bad fall and fractured shoulder and twisted left knew. My pedometer lies still now as I am just lucky to be able to walk right now. A lso I gained weight which is not belping my diabetes one bit but I was still pretty healthy before the fall. lol lol1 person likes this
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
14 Jan 11
Sorry to hear about your fall I hope you are well enough to start walking again soon.
@Angelgirl16 (2171)
• United States
15 Jan 11
I have use a pedometer for many years after reading about the benefit of taking 10,000 steps a day. I work at an elementary school where I do a lot of walking and I go to college in the evening,so I find it very easy to achieve my daily goal of 10,000 steps or more. You really do feel better when you see that your have accomplished your daily goal. I even wear it around the house on the weekends and I found that I don't quite make it to 10,000, but some steps are better than none.
