"If you are seeking creative ideas, go out walking. Angels whisper to a man when he goes for a walk." ~Raymond Inmon
A non-writing-related post today:
This summer vacation, I decided to challenge myself to walking/running/covering 10,000 steps each day. This is inspired partly by Dru, who posts her steps each day, and partly by the fact that I'd like to conserve my driving and gasoline comsumption over the next couple of months. I live 2 miles from the closest small town, so yesterday I walked into town to mail some things and run a couple of errands. I'll do that a couple of times a week. And I plan on getting myself a helmet and actually riding my bike more than I ever have before.
I'll tell you, though, while 10,000 steps isn't really insurmountable, it definitely takes intention to get them all in! Yesterday I was running around all morning (putting up our pool...a story for another time), then did a bunch of errands, then went to an aerobics class at the gym, and I was still only at 8500 when I came home. So a few rounds around our property watering the flowerbeds and weeding took care of that.
10,000 steps a day...I'd challenge anyone out there to try it, even for a few days. Pedometers cost less than $10 - clip one on your belt and give it a whirl. You might be interested how many steps you do - or don't - take in the course of a day. There are a ton of articles out there about working up toward it - here's one. There are even sites where you can keep track of your daily steps. I don't keep track of my steps once I pass 10,000, though (I take off the pedometer and toss it on my bathroom counter 'til the next day :)
If any of you already keep track of your steps, how many do you average each day? And how do you manage to get them all in?
9 comments:
I've been counting steps for about a month now. I average about 10,000 a day. Some days more, some less. The less is usually on weekends. Maybe too many naps. lol During the week I walk during lunch and after work.
I bought a pedometer, but keep forgetting I have it! I take long walks through my hilly neighborhood three to four times a week for an hour. I get some of my best writing ideas while walking. When I visit Seaside, I walk everywhere, and I really like that lifestyle. Anything you need is within walking distance, and what a beautiful walk it is! I should clip that pedometer on...I wonder how much I am walking?
Thanks for the shout out, Allie.
When I first started counting steps, it was really hard to get to 10,000, but now I have all kinds of tricks, walk during lunch, walk to the library and walk around the block to get in that last 2,000, as long as I'm walking, the steps will add up.
I was suprised when I first walked from 34th to 49th, that it didn't add as many steps as I thought it would.
Now you also know my secret, as soon as I'm done for the day, I stop counting.
Have a good weekend.
I love the quote! It's going to stick in my mind, I know it is.
On the farm we walk a lot but now you've got me wondering just how much we actually do walk. I know we have a pedometer around here somewhere...going to check it out.
Good luck with your new summer routine. It sounds like you're making some healthy (and budget friendly!)changes. :)
I've struggled to find a pedometer that accurately counts steps. I've used THREE now, and have walked up and down my street, counting the acutal steps, and the pedometer always shows about three times as many as I've taken.
Color me frustrated.
Devon, I agree with the whole walk-to-everything concept being a great one...we've gotten so far away from it as a society, thanks to suburbia. And I can't help but think that's part of why we Americans are becoming more and more overweight. We don't walk *anywhere*!
Marianne, I know some pedometers can be adjusted to a person's stride for accuracy...hope you can find one that works for you :)
I count steps daily and it is amazing how much walking I can do when I just get going. It is the best method too. Walking the dogs daily is my special outing.
I do walk more when I wear the pedometer, but I usually forget to put it on. AND I still rarely hit 10,000....more like 7,000, and that's IF we walk the dog.
Thanks for the inspirational post! I needed a pep talk. I have the pedometer already. Cindi
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