Discussions

Hello,

My name is Krystal aka Kmuma.

I've had baby #3, been enjoying myself with no restrictions and as a result I would now like to lose weight. I want to be able to control what I eat, have the ability to say 'no' and just be 'healthy'...and I know along with better eating habits I need to exercise daily. So that is why I'm here - again.

x0 Krystal [PS I'm waiting for my group of ladies/friends to also join up on here so we can all support each other].

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Hi my name is Isobel (Issy for short). My husband and I have taken up the 10000 steps challenge this year, and we are members of the Gallantree, which is made up of Queensland Fire and Rescue staff, both operational and administration. I guess we have an added incentive to do the walking, as we live on the coast and every afternoon after work, we take our adorable pooch Indy for a glorious walk along our beautiful beach, which takes us about an hour. This is a great way to de-stress at the end of the work day, and breath in the beautiful sea air. Our pooch amuses us by chasing fish in the sea while we walk the beach, and she catches the odd one as well. We are certainly enjoying doing our 10000 steps challenge, and find it very easy to clock up the steps.

Issy, Rockhampton Queensland Australia

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Hello everyone. My name is Charlene. I have just signed up to 10 000 steps today through our local health service. I have six children ranging from ages 2 years to 18 years. My aim is to lose weight and get to the healthy weight range I am supposed to be at. I have a friend that lost heaps of weight on this same program, which really inspired me and motivated me that I too can achieve the same.

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Hello.
My name is Janette. I am in my 40's and am a mother to 3 beautiful girls; a 19 year old, a 4 year old and a 7 month old. I am a member of the 10,000 Steps website. I have had up and down periods where I religiously enter my steps every day and make up the 10,000 if I am short by walking the house until I get there at the end of the day, to where I don't enter for some time and don't wear the pedometer at all. Since I had my last baby it's been a bit of both. The pedometer has helped me to get back to my pre baby weight, for this baby anyway. I lost focus this year during a challenge when I dropped my 10,000 Steps pedometer and it broke. I must mention though that I have had it for 7 years so it has served me very well and I will add I think it is the best on the market against others I have tried/seen over these years. But anyway, I lost motivation once it broke but am now inspired again as my workplace is doing a challenge with 10,000 Steps. I nominated myself as a team leader (surprise no-one else wants to do it) and I have a team ready. I work in front of a computer every day, with most of my activity before and after work chasing my 2 little ones and with nothing whilst at work. So I needed the motivation. I've found over the years that I need to go public with my challenges to make myself carry it out and I need to lose the baby weight I managed to keep that I put on whilst pregnant with my 4 yr old. Hopefully it hasn't taken up permanent residence after 4 years. I look forward to my current challenge and joining you all again in the 10,000 step world.

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I would like to share my father's story. His name is Ian. He lives in Rockhampton and has been an avid supporter of the use of a pedometer and daily walking regime for many years. On the 30th of April 2006, he commenced recording his steps in earnest to prepare for a trip to gallipoli in 2007.
On the 4th May 2010, he rang me to proudly advise that he had achieved 10,000,597 planned steps (10M) and 16,002,000 (16M) total steps (which included unplanned walks using his pedometer reading), totalling 12,623km (his calculations). This is over 4 years.
My Dad is an inspriation at age 83, and part of his success was to start by using the pedometer and achieving 10,000 steps a day - many years ago.
Set a target or goal, and do something everyday.

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12th May 2010 by Te Rina Tangitu
that is awesome workk

31st May 2010 by Cynthia Drerup
That is very inspiring and musch needed on my first day with the 10,000 step program. Thank you.

5th July 2010 by Janette Hopgood
So inspiring in so many ways. It is good to hear older people doing this sort of thing. My mother in law was given a pedometer last time she had some heart trouble. She had a triple bypass some years ago and apparently they wear off (or something to that affect) but she believed she is too old to walk let alone wear a pedometer which is quite sad really so they should put these sorts of stories on the news where people like her can see them and be inspired.

12th August 2010 by Amei Zeroun
Inspirational :-) and motivating. I just joined today! I hope to continue with my walking.

Hi. I recently gave birth to my fourth daughter after a pregnancy with a third trimester full of dramas, which kept me in bed for 3 months. This was followed by an unavoidable c-section. Although I didn't gain any weight from the pregnancy, I lost a lot of muscle tone from the inactivity and developed high blood pressure which has maintained it's presence after my daughter's birth. I am now trying to rebuild my muscles and fitness level as I have recovered from the surgery and I am hoping that walking will help my blood pressure to lower, naturally. I live in the Northern Territory so walking is great all year round (provided you have an umbrella in summer). I am hoping that being involved with this site will give me the motivation to keep going with walking and keep working toward my goals.

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28th May 2010 by andrea waddington
Me and my daughter have just found this site and we think it is great. Good luck with your goal ... I too suffer from high bp and rapid weight gain not sure of the reason except age! //////////

I fractured my leg 4 months ago. I am slowly recovering and trying to get fit again by going to the gym and going for walks. Just taking it slow and building up strength again.

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5th July 2010 by Janette Hopgood
Good luck with your goal. I have a 7 month old and didn't put on as much weight as I did in the previous pregnancy. So I am attempting to rebuild fitness and muscle strength too. And lose the weight I still didn't manage to lose after the 4 yr old.

Hello everyone.

I'm a 55 year old guy who has been overweight most of his adult life. Up until recently it hadn't seriously affected my ability to function but in February of this year I had a significant health issue that was directly related to my obesity. So, I decided it was time to make a change in my life, or perhaps lose it! I began to take stock of my situation and what I could do to get out of it. That meant I'd need to become active and of course, control my over-eating. I thought the latter would be the easier of the two goals as I've never been "sports minded" and didn't have any idea what I could do in the way of exercise on a regular basis. I'm far too out of shape to jog and have no desire (as yet) to join the local gym, but it dawned on me that maybe the simplest form of exercise I could do would be to start walking. So...I did. My first attempt was about 20 minutes in length and I'd had enough. I wasn't sure I liked it, but on the other hand it actually wasn't as bad as I thought it might be. So, slowly but surely, I have increased the lengths of my walks and the number of times per week that I walk. Once I'd decided I was going to keep at it, I bought a pedometer and a cool handmade wooden walking stick which, believe it or not, helps keep me at a steady rhythm while I'm out walking. So, I've been at it now for more than 2 months, and I can honestly say that, if for some reason (usually the weather) I don't get to go walking, I feel a part of my day is missing. I walk pretty much every day and when I can't I use my stationary exercise bike to fill in the gaps. But most days I'll go for a walk (or two) and then later hop on the bike for at least another 30 minute session. My average number of steps per day have increased from 3,000 when I first started, to currently 11,200 per day. Today my total steps was 17,016...not bad for a fat old man! I walk for at least an hour before work, and if time and weather permit, for another 30-45 minutes after work. I find my walks to be invigorating and mind-clearing. A great way to start the day! I guess you could say, I'm hooked! And in addition to my newly discovered joy of walking, I've seriously altered my eating habits. No more fats or sugar, and I've cut way back on anything with sodium in it. I count my calorie intake and have drastically cut my meal portions. No more mountains of mashed potatoes covered in gravy! No more large soup bowls filled with ice cream! No more chips, cheezies, chocolate bars, or bagfuls of peanut butter cookies! No more fat burgers, super-size orders of fries, or gallon cups of sugar-laden sodas! And you know what? I don't miss any of it! How can that be? I don't know, but it's so true. I eat only healthy foods now, like lots of fresh fruits and veggies, maybe a grilled piece of chicken breast, a scoop of whole grain rice, and a fresh green salad (with low fat dressing, of course). And what I've found is that when I eat a balanced assortment of healthy foods in healthy quantities, I don't feel constantly hungry, like I used to do, even after I'd consumed a large but terribly unhealthy meal.
I still have a very long way to go in my quest for a better, healthier life, but I've already begun to notice a looseness in my clothing, so I know I am definitely on the right track!

Mitch in Canada

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21st April 2010 by christine austin
Well done mitch that is great to hear, if only more people would take stock of their life like that our community would be healthier and our health care industry much better off. Well done and keep it up.

22nd April 2010 by Kelly Lane
Great going Mitch - you are an inspiration to others. I took this path a couple of years back and it really has changed my life although the food temptation is always around us but getting into exercise in older years (I was over 40)is such a surprise to those of us with sedentary adult years. I know just what you mean when you say that a day without walking feels like something is missing.
Keep it up
Kelly

23rd April 2010 by Bronwen Chamberlain
Good on you Mitch .I wish my grandson would do the same . He is 6 foot 5 ,39 years old and weighs 165 kilos .Having health problems, has lost 8 kilos but seems to have stopped there. I hope your letter will give him some inspiraton
Bronwen

27th May 2010 by Judy Street
Awesome Mitch keep the updates of your challenge coming :)

28th May 2010 by andrea waddington
Good luck!

2nd June 2010 by Kimberly Strassburger
Keep up the great work Mitch. You are doing it the right way. Your story is an inspiration.

5th July 2010 by Janette Hopgood
Good luck Mitch. You're an inspiration and I look forward to hearing how you are going.

I'm just starting the 10 000 Steps for this year, 2010. I know that just half an hours walk lowers my blood sugar to normal levels, and within a week I can lose 2 kilos just by adding the walk to my day. Wearing the pedometer is a great reminder to keep walking and having a group at work at you to put your steps in is a great motivator!

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23rd April 2010 by Bronwen Chamberlain
I have been a diabetic for five years and am keeping my blood glucose under 6 with exercise and diet. Have been told by my specialist that I will end up on insulin but so far have kept it at bay . I have belonged to 10,000 steps for just over three years and it has been my biggest help in keeping my levels down
Bronwen

Hi all. I am Shannon and I just started a weight loss and fitness journey. About 2 yrs ago I had a total thyroidectomy and then was diagnosed with cancer, went through treatment and in the last 2 yrs gained 20lbs, along with the 40lbs I gained from having kids and thyroid disease. I have lost 13 of the 20 I gained but have a long way to go. This time I wanted it to be different, I wanted to learn portion control as well as what 1500 calories looked like. I have learned both these things and am much happier with my weight and how I feel. I am now trying to incorporate the fitness part of my plan to being 40 and fabulous. I have a pedometer that just reads steps and have started to use it. I also have a mini-trampoline that I use to jog on, I also go on walks in my nice neighborhood. I am in total remission and still have a long way to go in the weight dept. about 50lbs or so, but I know I can make it if I make it a priority! Also I have a blog that I am the author of, I keep my followers up to date with my weight loss and how I am doing if any of you are interested in it just go to http://shananagins2468.blogspot.com. God Bless you all and I am so glad to meet you all!

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16th April 2010 by Lawanda Thurman
Thank you for the inspirational comment. I am 35 years old and I also had thyroid disease. Since my surgery, and having children I have gained about 40 pounds. I have been walking now for about a month and no weight lose. So I decided to work at it a little harder. I don't want to be over weight so I will keep trying.

27th May 2010 by Judy Street
Thanks Shannon nice to know there is hope after thyroidectomy now i can have mine and know weight loss isnot impossible

Judy

21st June 2010 by Veronica Robinson
Don't give up!! Look to your family and friends for support and encouragement who understand what you are trying to achieve. Fortunately I didn't need surgery with my thyroid which was initially overactive (and was losing weight but the wrong way) but then was sent to underactive after treatment with a radioactive capsule. On medication for the rest of my life but have successfully lost 25 kgs over the past 9 months.

All the best,
Veronica

5th July 2010 by Janette Hopgood
Good luck on the rest of your journey Shannon. We have tyroid disease in our family so I am hoping I can keep it at bay with exercise and good nutrition. You are an inspiration.

I was having trouble lifting my steps per day as I was getting tired and short of breath. I had been a smoker for about 6 years. I quit smoking at the start of March and even though at first my shortness of breath increased causing my number of steps per day to decrease, I have started to pick up again now. I feel much better and I don't nearly pass out from shortness of breath after I run. I can actually enjoy running again. I have not been sick at all this month and I feel so good. I find out of all the exercise I'm doing, my afternoon walks are the best for de-stressing me after a busy or bad day. Exercise also keeps me motivated to not smoke. Good luck with your exercises. Have fun :)

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4th April 2010 by Nicki Stephens
Well done for perservering. Your shortness of breath and difficulty in achieving is only short term. It's common when giving up smoking for your body to try and convince you otherwise. Those crafty brain receptors try to con you into smoking by saying "but you feel better with it". As if - lol. Couple of tips which may help. Have a few more showers a day and drink real fruit juices. Helps to flush out the smoke toxins. Keep clear of coffee, tea and alcohol. These are associated by your brain receptors with smoking. Take up something to keep your hands busy. Helps to retrain yourself from holding a ciggy to doing something else. Don't castigate yourself if you have the odd slip up. It's normal. Just keep trying. Good luck.

At UniSA we have run two 10,000 step challenges. Both were great fun & we had excellent support from staff. One challenge we made tailored for ourselves(to make it more suitable for South Australian staff). The second we used the Western Seaboard challenge that is on the web site. This was excellent. We found about 4 weeks was a good time line for our staff to keep their interest. We will certainly run a 10,000 steps challenge again.

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I was in a terrible relationship, very toxic, and I ate myself into oblivion. The relationship has since ended and I have taken up walking as it doesn't cost anything and it's the only exercise I can still do. I have dropped about 40 lbs with a long way to go, but I cannot go a day without walking, so there is my motivation. I found this site trying to convert my steps to miles and I think this is wonderful. I am all alone in my walking and sometimes I just need a friend to vent. I believe I have found that friend.

California Becca

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4th March 2010 by Lee Laverty
Good on you Bec. I know how you feel. Had a few toxic relationships myself. Did you know that walking (along with chocolate, excersise and peas)release seratonin in the brain. It is the bodies natural feel good drug. So get a natural high

13th March 2010 by Heidi Peters
check out www.sparkpeople.com - there's lots of support on this site and great teams. The "10,000 steps a day" team is a very active group and would love for you to join!

25th March 2010 by Pauline Shields
I also walk alone but it gives me lots of thinking time. Then when I get home I am ready for the onslought of jobs. Good luck with the walking and weight loss (I also have weight to loose but well on my way).

Hi everyone.

I've had a few pedometers over the years. This year I purchased the Yamax SW500. It's great I wear it everyday. It keeps me motivated and I feel lost if I don't wear it.

Margie

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20th March 2010 by Peter Hallinan
I'be also had many pedometers over the years - my favourite story against myself is that somewhere on the bush clad slopes of "The Sleeping Giant" volcano on Kau 'ai Island in the Hawaii group is a 10000 steps pedometer from Rockhampton, Queensland. I know, 'coz I lost it there (also lost myself there too but that's another story!). My pedometer woes ended the day I discovered an OMRON pedometer at my local chemist (= harmacy) shop which came with an elastic strip and spring clasp so the pedometer just sits in my shirt or pants pocket - I've been through 3 batteries sin ce! You can also download a free one over the internet for your cell or mobile phone, if it permits this (the i-Phone certainly does)

After over 26 million steps of walking based here in Rockhmpton, Queensland, I'm shifting to Christchurch NZ - so feel a whole new raft of suburban streets calling me!

Haera ra,

Peter Hallinan

20th March 2010 by Peter Hallinan
re the age groups thread - we don't seem to have any children or senior citizens (75+) - at least, going by my browsing? Am I missing something here?

I'd also be very interested to know if our discussions and stories have ever been 'data mined' for research studies?

cheers, all,

Peter

I feel great when I print out my Certificates after completing the I-Challenges. My pedometer has become a part of my daily preparations - I feel that I am missing out if I am not wearing it - just like when you don't wear your watch. Walking has played a great part in my 17 kg weight loss and I have another 8 kg to go before I reach my goal. I FEEL GREAT !!!! and will keep on stepping.

Veronica.

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19th July 2010 by Charlene Tabuai
Great work. Keep it up!! :)

Hi!

I joined 10,000 steps in June 2008. I have started at least 10 I-challenges but today, finally, I completed one at last!

Keep walking!

Regards,
Gloria.

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11th March 2010 by angela c
Congratulations Gloria!

I know how it feels to make the committment but then not achieve the result. But you kept renewing the commitment and now you have made it. Well done. Angela

What a brilliant concept, to encourage work places to be involved with 10,000 steps. Since we commenced this program, through my workplace, I have been more mindful of my exercise or rather lack of it... I try to increase my step total each day. Just before christmas 2009, I enrolled with my local gymnasium, and have been today for my first workout, for 2 hours! I feel fantastic, tired but thrilled I have finally done something to shift my excess weight.

Thanks a million. Good luck to you all.

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