20000 Steps a day

Rizzo542
Rizzo542 Posts: 4 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I work on my feet all day in a kitchen and was getting around 10k steps a day 12k on a really good day just at work. I decided to add a walk during my lunch and am getting around 3 miles in. Should I do more? I have about 100 lbs to lose, not a runner but will be getting my elliptical out of storage when we move into our new home and have room for it. Should I do the elliptical in the morning and then strive for 20k steps a day? or is that overkill?

Replies

  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,040 Member
    I do 20,000 steps a day. Helped me lose 40lbs along with a moderate calorie deficit.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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  • Lietchi
    Lietchi Posts: 6,899 Member
    If you want to increase your step count, go for it. But just know that you don't have to do exercise to lose weight, for weight loss calories are what matter and your calorie intake will have a bigger impact. Being active will give you more calories to consume for the same weight loss rate.
    Exercice is great for health though, which is what I would base my decision on, if I were you.

    Other factor: how much of your time is exercise (walking out other) going to take up? I went for a higher number a while back, but I felt like that much time spent on walking was not sustainable for me. I still get higher step counts on running days (more steps in a shorter period of time, yay 😉) or hikes, but no longer aim for very high steps counts on the other days, in favor of other activities (indoor rowing, strength training, or simply hobbies).

    Personally, I would integrate some resistance training in your routine, not just cardio, to help you preserve muscle mass as you lose weight.

    PS: if you do increase your step count, don't be alarmed if your weight loss slows for a while. When I increased my steps, my weight actually went slightly up for a few weeks, water retention because my body wasn't used to it. May or may not happen to you, but good to know if it does.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    Another vote for resistance training. If you don't have equipment, no problem - you have your body!

    Most bodyweight programs for beginners aren't really for beginners. You may need to do some searching to locate one that is appropriate for your fitness level, or prepare to modify extensively.

    I was hilariously pathetic when I first attempted the following but after doing it regularly for a month or so, I'm much better. I had to modify all of the upper body exercises at first. The W and Ys look deceptively easy, but hurt my back the next day, so I cut them down to 5 reps or skipped altogether.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIdAPUA3GY4
  • nataliepate25
    nataliepate25 Posts: 12 Member
    edited February 2021
    My suggestion for you is, try 20000 steps for 2-3 days if you are comfortable with this then go for it. Otherwise, you will feel weakness in your body, losing weight is another thing but the weakness is not good for you.
  • tinkerbellang83
    tinkerbellang83 Posts: 9,147 Member
    Another vote here for strength training if you still have energy to spare, this would be a far better use for it than more steps, it helps maintain muscle whilst you lose fat and also improves bone density which can be a factor in preventing osteoporosis, which women are more prone to than men.

    I really like HASFIT's beginner strength workout it has Beginner, but also modified Beginner movements for "Real Beginners" and can be done without much in the way of equipment.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIHy-ZnSndA

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