How do you get 10,000 steps a day?

PeachyCarol

segacs wrote: »

Ladybug_1794 wrote: »

Lol jog in place!!!

Jogging in place burns relatively few calories, though. And Fitbit will overestimate the burns 'cause it can't distinguish a step in place from a forward-motion step.

Yeah, it can. At least in my experience with my own Fitbit it does. I don't run in place often, but I tried an experiment to get steps by adding in stepping in place during activity where I normally stand still (tooth brushing/stirring batter, etc.) I compared calorie burn and step intensity data on my Fitbit record. It knew the difference.

There are a lot of misconceptions about Fitbits out there. Mine knows if I'm walking or running. I'm doing C25K, and I can see the intervals recorded, and the burns calculated differently during them. It can tell if I'm standing or sitting. It records my BMR differently.

segacs

Really? Mine doesn't. Maybe you have one of the newer Fitbits that has an HRM in the tracker?

At any rate, sure, jog in place if you like. Personally I prefer to go places. But that's just me.

PeachyCarol

No, I just have a Flex. Have you really mined the data on the website and looked at the log?

Unknown

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SingRunTing

I try to get up and walk from time to time during the day. I definitely get a walk in during lunch.

I try to hit my steps with just the above and normal activity (and many times I do). But sometimes I will walk laps around my apartment (I'll read a book and just walk up and down the long hallway), or I'll walk in place in front of the tv. I figure it's better than just sitting and watching if I haven't hit my steps yet.

segacs

No, it doesn't matter at all. It's just personal preference. For me, it drives me crazy to, say, run on a treadmill or cycle on a stationary bike. But I love to run in the park or to cycle to commute. It's just a psychological thing. Makes me feel more productive if I'm going somewhere I guess.

And I think the key is that there really is no magic to the 10,000 step number. It's just a general guideline to get people off the couch and moving more. It doesn't matter all that much if you are hitting 8,000 or 12,000 or whatever, as long as you're active.

janejellyroll

shell1005 wrote: »

segacs wrote: »

Really? Mine doesn't. Maybe you have one of the newer Fitbits that has an HRM in the tracker?

At any rate, sure, jog in place if you like. Personally I prefer to go places. But that's just me.

Does it really matter if someone runs in place or if they "go places" in the long run (pun intended)? If someone is moving, they get a gold star from me. I don't place some level of activity above others in some competition of who is better worker outer. But that's just me.

Whether or not someone "goes places" seems like a completely subjective personal preference. Some people *like* exercising in place (whether that involves a treadmill or running in place). It's not like those of us who "go places" are delivering important aid to people in those locations. It isn't really something that makes exercise better (beyond personal preference).

I_Will_End_You

I usually hit my 10,000 steps per day. I walk my dog in the morning before work and in the evening after dinner, so that just about covers it. Also I find that on days when I go grocery shopping, cook, clean, etc. it's much easier than if I just walk the dog, sit at my desk and go home and watch TV all night.

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ElJefeChief

Yeah, a quick three mile run in the morning and as long as you don't sit completely motionless for the rest of the day you're easily at 10K by after lunch in all likelihood.

janejellyroll

shell1005 wrote: »

janejellyroll wrote: »

shell1005 wrote: »

segacs wrote: »

Really? Mine doesn't. Maybe you have one of the newer Fitbits that has an HRM in the tracker?

At any rate, sure, jog in place if you like. Personally I prefer to go places. But that's just me.

Does it really matter if someone runs in place or if they "go places" in the long run (pun intended)? If someone is moving, they get a gold star from me. I don't place some level of activity above others in some competition of who is better worker outer. But that's just me.

Whether or not someone "goes places" seems like a completely subjective personal preference. Some people *like* exercising in place (whether that involves a treadmill or running in place). It's not like those of us who "go places" are delivering important aid to people in those locations. It isn't really something that makes exercise better (beyond personal preference).

Isn't that exactly what I said? In that case, thanks for agreeing with me.

Yes, I wasn't clear. I was agreeing with you -- not countering what you said. Sorry about that.

segacs

DrEnalg wrote: »

Yeah, a quick three mile run in the morning and as long as you don't sit completely motionless for the rest of the day you're easily at 10K by after lunch in all likelihood.

That depends. For me, a 3-mile (i.e. 5 kilometer) run is more like ~4000 steps. So no, it won't get me to 10,000 by lunchtime. But on a day when I run, I'll probably exceed 10,000 by the end of the day, no problem.

Anyway, that just illustrates why 10,000 steps isn't a magic number.

In fact, the 10,000 step number came from a Japanese marketing campaign to sell pedometers: http://www.livescience.com/43956-walking-10000-steps-healthy.html

ohmscheeks

jennifer_417 wrote: »

Set up a reward system. Say, if you get your steps in, you can take a nap. Or watch your favorite show, or whatever would motivate you.

I am excited that I am not the only one who considers napping a reward, lol. At work, I get up from my desk periodically and walk inside the building. At home, I go walk/run the greenway or follow walking youtube videos.

strong_curves

30 minute walk/jog/run in the morning, then I commute to work by public transportation. I work in Midtown Manhattan so I still have to walk to and from the subway. I'm up to 7,000 before noon daily. After work I still have to walk to the subway, train & then most days I walk home, by then I'm over 10k a day and this is with a job where I literally sit on my bum all day. Some days I'll even take a walk after lunch.

Alluminati

Do challenges with @shell1005

100df

My Fitbit Zip knows the difference between taking a casual stroll and 3.0 mph on the treadmill and fast laps around the staircase.

I don't eat my exercise calories so the calorie burn isn't really relevant to me right now. Not sure what I will do with them when I get to maintenance.

While the step count may not be 100% accurate, the numbers going up consistently and the improvement in physical condition means something.

krithsai

I do jumping jacks in the middle of cooking, cleaning, watching TV and other such random activities.

OhMsDiva

Owlfan88 wrote: »

I've been trying to add some of the little things, like walking around the island while I'm waiting on the microwave and marching in place while brushing my teeth or drying my hair. Little things that don't seem like anything will add up to 1000 or more steps easily per day. Add in some laps around the kitchen and living room every time I have to get up to let the cat in or out. Mostly though it's all good as long as I can get in my roughly 2 mile walk, but on rainy days I struggle to get the steps in. I'm a little concerned about winter when it's cold and more often wet and fewer daylight hours and I just don't wanna go out. I'm going to have to work on the motivation to go out and just do it!

I borrowed your idea last night. I used to march in place while I brush my teeth. Last night I made trips around the kitchen, hall and living room.

Asher_Ethan

My sons school is .5 miles away so we walk every single day to school to drop him off and to pick him up. We have a dog that LOVES these walks. My dog will tear up my house on the weekends if I don't take him for walks so that helps me get my steps in on the weekends hahaha