OCTOBER CHALLENGE -- 10,000 STEPS A DAY

I'm in - gonna get an Omron pedo though - I have a weightwatchers one at the moment and it is rubbish - it misses loads of steps. Want to get my walking up so this will be a good idea. Will commence as soon as my new pedo arrives!

10/8 - Crappy 3000ish cuz I was out with the family doing regular run-arounds. Who new that doing normal errands and shopping would get a ton less steps verses staying home so I can do laps around my house.

I find shopping with a list when I am in a rush can get lots of steps. It does seem that shopping where we are just looking for things has much fewer steps. I think my step counter does not count shuffling between bins and racks.

Sunday Oct 9th

7088 rest day

10/1 6,257
10/2 7,280
10/3 6,826
10/4 6,038
10/5 4,088
10/6 10,053
10/7 8,494
10/8 13,601
10/9 5,320
Sunday was a bit of a lazy day for me.
Saturday was great because we went all over looking for garage sales.

Off to a slow start today, guess a walk is in my future.

you should definitely be getting 10,000 steps, I walk about 3.5 miles a day and get at least 10,000 and my stride is 20

Can I still join? I've already been using my pedometer for a week or so, here's my stats that I logged on my phone:

10/1--?
10/2--?
10/3--(I was a bit hung over this day...) 2315
10/4-- I forgot my pedometer at home
10/5--11006 steps
10/6-- 6153
10/7--8375
10/8--7671
10/9-- ... I forgot my pedometer at home
10/10-- 3389 ... wow I feel like I've been lazy or something today... slow day at work I guess.

Did get some hiking in with the kids and the dogs

10/1 --10,715
10/2 -- 9,341
10/3 -- 6,412
10/4 -- 4,205
10/5 -- 6,523
10/6 -- 6,698
10/7 -- 10,103
10/8 -- 12.031
10/9 -- 7,035
10/10 - 11,375

10/1 - 44,553 steps (18 miles -- last huge training walk before the 3-day)
10/2 - 25,015 steps (9+ miles -- another 3-day training walk)
10/3 - 4,817 . Rest day but felt awful for most of day.
10/4 - 14,947
10/5 - 10,853
10/6 - 12,702
10/7 - 11,208
10/8 - 25,319
10/9 - 9,751 forgot pedometer for more than half the day

Just noticed your 44k Wow- E... :drinker:

10/1 - 44,553 steps (18 miles -- last huge training walk before the 3-day)
10/2 - 25,015 steps (9+ miles -- another 3-day training walk)
10/3 - 4,817 . Rest day but felt awful for most of day.
10/4 - 14,947
10/5 - 10,853
10/6 - 12,702
10/7 - 11,208
10/8 - 25,319
10/9 - 9,751 forgot pedometer for more than half the day
10/10 - 11,021

10/1--?
10/2--?
10/3--(I was a bit hung over this day...) 2315
10/4-- I forgot my pedometer at home
10/5--11006 steps
10/6-- 6153
10/7--8375
10/8--7671
10/9-- ... I forgot my pedometer at home
10/10-- 3389 ... wow I feel like I've been lazy or something today... slow day at work I guess.
10/11 -- 5189

I'm in!

10/1 --10,715
10/2 -- 9,341
10/3 -- 6,412
10/4 -- 4,205
10/5 -- 6,523
10/6 -- 6,698
10/7 -- 10,103
10/8 -- 12.031
10/9 -- 7,035
10/10 - 11,375
10/11 - 11,689
10/12 - 7,233

Are there any SAHMs here? I'm a little concerned that 10,000 steps will be difficult. I don't sit down much during the day but just walking around the house for things doesn't yeild many steps and I don't leave the house much. I plan to be more aware of my steps and hope that helps but I'm wondering if anyone else has this issue.

1. Buy a quality pedometer
If you need a little help deciding which pedometer is best checkout our Pedometer reviews. There's nothing more frustration than using a dodgie pedometer.

2. Rome wasn't built in a day
Increase your activity levels takes time, walking gets easier the more you do it. If you can only manage walking continuously for 5 minutes at a time. slowly add an extra minute each day for a week than add an extra 2 minutes the following week.

3. Change old habits
Simple but effective ways to increase daily steps is parking the car further away, taking the stairs, walking on the spot while waiting for the kettle to boil. You just need to be open to change.

4. Get yourself a pair of quality sports shoes
Trying to walk in high heels or dress shoes can cause you blisters and make you throw in the towel even before you get started.

5. Share the journey
You might have a colleague / friend feeling just like you, together you can plan dedicated walking time to boost your step count.

6. Record your steps
Write it done, keep a step journal and track your progress.

7. Once you've reached 10,000 steps don't stop
keep adding more and more steps. Maintaining and improving your daily step count can have many long-term health benefits.

8. Set yourself mini step challenges
i.e. set a number of steps you must take before going to bed. Example 500 steps from the time you turn off the TV until popping into bed. I walk on the spot while brushing teeth, then check all the doors and windows are closed and to see if I need anything defrosted from the freezer & unpack the dishwasher.

While 10,000 steps can feel like a huge number, it's very achievable. Sure it takes is a little planning and a desire to make small changes that deliver BIG step counts