Member Stories

It Started With Food

“After several years of intense stress, I'm virtually inactive, except for swimming on weekends. I've been wanting to get more active for years. I used to weight-train in my 30s, and one thing I learned (and later forgot) from my weight-training days is the importance of nutrition for sustaining activity. While weight-training, it was my goal to eat 6 nutritious meals per day - 4 x protein, carb, and vegetable, 2 x protein and carb - and 8 glasses of water. No calorie counting. No restrictions. By focusing on getting the right fuel for the body, things like cake and chocolate lost their appeal. I still used to eat them occasionally when I was feeding my body right, but most of the time I just didn't feel like it. I had so many other really satisfying foods I wanted to fit into my day. And I got really fit, strong, and energised. So, as of last month, I'm back to on to nutrition. I've joined 10,000 Steps to track my activity as I get more motivated and to strike a match to all this good fuel I'm taking in. I've chosen 10,000 Steps specifically because it runs throughout the year, and lets me compete against myself, which I like a whole lot more than team-based challenges. The best person to compete against, in my opinion, is yourself.”

Granni

“I have lowered my daily goal from 10000 steps to 7500. I am in my 3rd year of chemo for ovarian cancer and I just do not have the stamina to walk like I use to. I am 80 years old but still trying to stay as active as I can.”

Reflections

“Just been browsing the back stories and see I contributed way back in 2004 (a pedometer lost on the slopes of the Sleeping Giant, Kau'ai, and setting up the sadly short lived Greensteps). I'm a foundation member of 10000 Steps - even before it became a presence on the web - and will be forever grateful to my fellow academics, Peter and Kerry, who were instrumental in getting the fledgling 10000 Steps to fly - as well as the sterling support offered by Queensland Health and CQUniversity over these past decades. I came back to New Zealand/Aotearoa in 2010 just in time for the Christchurch earthquakes and now the Kaikoura one - if the earth wore a pedometer it would be racking up the steps big time! It's been great turning getting into the 76-100 age range - the competition isn't nearly as fierce :) The stories here are incredibly moving - if someone hasn't done a higher degree yet then the stories here would be a great starting place. That's it from me for another decade or so (maybe)... Peter Hallinan”

Road to Recovery

“Until 23rd February 2016 it was easy to complete 10,000 steps or higher most days. I had major right foot reconstruction on that date so was non weight bearing for 8 weeks and then gradual increases in daily stepping have increased mobility of my right foot. At the end of June 2016, my surgeon was so happy with my progress that he just encouraged me and I was discharged from his care. Swelling will continue to occur for at least 18months post surgery. I have found that if I exceed 6,500 steps the foot is too swollen to do much more than 4,000 steps for a couple of days. Being able to log my steps and be accountable to someone out there encourages me greatly. 5 out of the 7 days I usually reach my target of 6,500 steps. Thanks for this opportunity to log my steps manually.”

Parkrun!

“If your looking for a fun way to increase your steps why not try "parkrun"(www.parkrun.com.au for the one closest to you). It's a 5 km walk, jog or run, free to attend and is on every Saturday Morning at 07:00. It's also a great way to meet like minded people in your local community. I tried it for the first time in February 2015 and couldn't make it more 800m before having to go from a slow jog to walking. Over my last 40 parkruns I've managed to build up to jogging (still slowly) for the whole 5 kms and broke 32 minutes for the first time last Saturday. Not a brilliant time, but (for me) it's more about the enjoyment and encouragement you can give (and receive) to the other walkers, joggers and runners. I always leave with a smile on my dial. Cheers, Paul Mac ”

Training for Mt Kilimanjaro

“I had a fair amount of incentive to complete the Challenge. I am currently in training to climb Mt Kilimanjaro in about 6 weeks time. Being an office bound worker, the 10,000 step challenge was a great way to keep me on track. With a couple of 1-2 hour hill climbing sessions a few nights a week, and 15-30 km hikes on at least 1 day each weekend I was well on my way. I?m happy to say that since I started training in earnest in January I have lost almost 12 kg.”

Now I am More Active!

“Using an activity tracker and recording my physical activity with 10,000 Steps has helped me to become aware of how much activity I do and how much I don't do. Working at a computer most days of the week for work contributes to my sitting time greatly. Tracking my steps, I can see that I only reach 2,000-3,000 steps on a typical work day unless I make time to get out of my seat and go for a quick walk around the building to clear my head, walk to and from the printer and the offices and take a walk during my lunch break or during the afternoon. It can be difficult to reach 10,000 steps each day without putting more effort into being active before and after work. ”

Working on a Life Habit

“My 10,000 Steps Story is really a story about taking one step at a time. My first step found me facing up to the fact that my job and lifestyle is embarrassingly and unhealthily sedentary! My second step was realising that I wanted and needed to change. Most days I don't make 10,000 steps, but I am working on it and encouraging others. I figure if I keep it going for longer than one month, exercise will become a life habit.”

Walking at Work

“I have been amazed with how many steps I walk at work. This has helped my energy levels and I have learnt some good tips with parking further away from the shops to increase my steps and walking early in the hot weather!”

Walking and Biking

“I started exercising to support my daughter getting fit to join the QPS. We walked everyday, went for a minimum 15km bike ride.The best effort was an 88km bike ride. I kept up the exercise for 3 years after supporting her because after her effort I didn't want to disappoint her by not keeping up my regime. I increased to minimum 6.5km sometimes 20km walk per day and a 10-20km bike ride. I found it helped with increasing energy levels, stress release and a general feeling of wellness. We all make excuses but sometimes really need to push to achieve results. I need to move it again.”

Everyday Steps

“Hi to all those who are stepping out for better health over the next few months! A challenge for sure but the benefits will be worth it. I have been enjoying my many steps, the early morning walk a favourite and this morning got to chat with two lots of neighbours so it is a way to socialise as well. Just getting out in the fresh air and to see the glorious creation around us is certainly worth the effort to commit to the challenge. Many of my 10,000 steps plus, are doing the chores around our small hobby farm, either feeding the chooks, alpacas and birds or taking my horse from our paddock to a neighbours for some extra grazing. Housework provides the opportunity for extra steps as does collecting the mail and the often mundane of jobs, but it is getting me moving and its great. Hope to share more along the journey. Helen”

Aiming for 10,000 Steps

“In September 2011 I weighed 136.5 kilos, I could hardly walk 10 minutes before my sore back would prevent me from walking further. I discovered exercise and in March 2012 ran in a 5km fun run which I ran all the way. I have since run in another two 10km fun runs, a 12km and a 14km and in a few weeks will attempt my first half marathon (21km). I began to lose weight and exercise regularly I lost a total of 61.5 kilos. Over 8 months since then I have kept it off and my obsession with running, exercise has not dimished. I am loving the idea of 10,000 steps per day and aim to achieve that daily.”

Walking Anywhere

“In 2008 I weighed a bit over 180kg, and had been living in my bed for nearly 12 months because it was too painful to walk. I only got out of bed to do the most important things that had to be done. I went to the shops using a shopping trolley for support, if I couldn't see a trolley out front of the shops I would go straight back home. If I did manage to get inside the shops I would almost be in tears with pain. My doctor told me that I would die before I turned 60, at that time I was 55. I joined weight watchers international in November 2008 and the leader asked me if I could do some walking as part of my exercise. I couldn't even do that so I sat on the edge of my bed and used soup cans as weights. I gradually lost 20kg and I then started to go outside to see how far I could walk with a cane, but I could only make it past 6 house blocks, I had to have a few breaks on the way to get back. In 17 months I lost 100kg, then later on finally went to 107kg.  Not long ago I walked 70km over 88,000 steps, now I can walk anywhere!”

Achieving My Step Goal

“I am a return stepper after a few years of not recording. Although I was still walking each day, not recording the steps stopped the motivation and lessened the number of steps I did. I am now planning on walking Kilimanjaro in January. Having a goal gives one a sense of achievement so recording steps is very important for me to motivate movement. I also swim a few times a week which would add to the step count and take pressure off the legs. Doing the challenge is also interesting as I google the area of the world I am walking in and so I am also exercising my mind and learning about the countries the challenge walks are in as well as exercising my body. Janice Port Macquarie Australia”

Walking My Dog and Cycling

“When the New Year arrived and I was determined (after a 3 year break) to start exercising again with all cylinders firing. For the first 5 and a bit months of the year I was averaging over 16k per day (and 144,649 steps in the last week). I think this level was a tad high for me to maintain and I started to feel my age and became a bit weary. My total steps for the next 5 weeks was less than that last week, I had well and truly fallen off the "exercise" wagon. I became a bit disheartened and stopped recording my steps for the next 10 weeks and, not surprisingly, my clothes became a bit tighter. Towards the end of September I decided that I was going to renew my exercise vows from 1 October and make a late run in the last 3 months of the year. I'm feeling confident (again) and so far, so good for the first 3 weeks. My main forms of exercise are walking my dog and cycling, which is great for getting further afield and discovering more of your local area and beyond. I try to make up at least 30% of my total steps by cycling and find I average about 400 steps per kilometre, as opposed to about 1,200 steps when walking. I cycle about 4 1/2 times faster than walking pace, so my steps accumulate 50% quicker when I cycle. I wish everyone all the very best for reaching their personal goals. Cheers, Paul ”

My Walking is a Mix of Urban and Parkland

“I'm very glad to have found this site as I've come back to using 10,000 Steps after letting it slide 4 years ago when Winter had me beat. Now I'm back and determined not to let it happen again after stocking up with clothes for the coldest Winter and biggest downpours. My motivation is to shed the 38 pounds I've gained and return to a healthy BMI. I've been keeping to the steps for seven weeks now but only found this site a day ago. So far my 'personal best' is 23,000 steps in a single day. My average steps comes to around 14,000. ”

Walking Again

“I am so glad that I found the 10,000 Steps website. I started using it late last year. I was in a head on auto accident last November. I was able to get back into walking towards 10,000 steps in August 2013. I have a pedometer that I have been using it. It has motivated me to walk knowing that it is there. I also know that I log into this site each day and I do not want to let myself down. I am in North Carolina in the USA. There are no websites in the USA like this one. This keeps me motivated to stay in shape. I am trying to help others by showing them your website. I am very thankful that this site exists. Chuck Pridgen, Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, USA”

Website Motivation

“I am 56 years old and wanted to become more active but my knees hurt when I run and lifting weights. I tried riding a bike but couldn't really get into it. Hopefully walking and attempting to reach my 10,000 steps daily goal will help me. Looking forward to this site as a means of motivation. I live in the United States in Northern Ky near Cincinnati, Ohio. Doug”

My New Rule

“After a long break from the 10,000 Steps program I've restarted and once again find it incredibly motivating. Last time I lost my momentum due to serious illness and never quite got the motivation back. After just 30 days I can already feel the benefits in my body and my mind, and I have so far achieved 10,000 steps or more every single day. It is as though I can't let myself down by doing less! I am sadly very overweight and very unfit but I figure if I just keep putting one foot in front of the other it will continue to change. I've lost 3 kg and find myself wanting to eat healthier food. I also have a new rule - if I stand up, I have to walk at least 200 extra steps, so every cup of coffee or snack, or even a visit to the bathroom comes with exercise.”

Happy, Active and Healthy

“This is certainly a motivating site! I am a new member and have just completed my 1st challenge. It is my birthday today and when my husband asked me what I wanted to do I, of course, said 'go for a long walk' and what a beautiful day for walking here in sunny England. I have always loved walking but the weight has been gradually piling on. I work in a primary school and find walking a great way to wind down after a busy day. Walking just makes me feel happy, active and healthy, what else could you want from an exercise program.”

Nightly Walks on Work Days

“ The desire to have a more balanced fitness routine returned and I started to record my steps again. I find that with regular exercise I am healthier, happier and sleep better. Each work day I try to vary the length of my nightly walk, so I can achieve at least 10,000 steps. On weekends (and if any other opportunity arises) I try to squeeze in an early morning 1 to 2 hour cycle ride to help with the average. I have found in the past that it was difficult to reach 10,000 steps, each and every day, so I focus on reaching 70,000 steps per week. For extra motivation (and because I like stats) I maintain my own spreadsheet and graphs. These include (and supplement) the stats available on this wonderful website.”

My Morning Routine

“I am a 75 year old and used to be a jogging junkie, 8k every morning, 10k once a week, believed I would be jogging for the rest of my life  but finally age effects caught up and I was plagued with pulled tendons and muscles which would sideline me for sometimes 6 to 8 weeks waiting for it to repair, then the slow process of returning to the track was causing me considerable stress and depression, weight gain etc and knew I had to give up jogging as it was now doing more harm than good! I wasn't into walking and don't like push bikes, consider them dangerous on the road especially at the speed they need to be ridden to get any sort of return. I met a guy who was on this 10,000 Steps program and went walking with him for a week, now have a different view, I use the program to record my steps and time each morning. I start at 5am with a stretching routine, then some floor exercises and a short program of medium weights. I have an 8.6k course through pleasant parkland which includes 4 hills. I wear two 2.5kg strap weights on my wrists (gives a bit more arm and shoulder workout and also aids thrust to the stride) the whole program takes close to 2 hours. The motivation is to reduce the amount of steps and improve the time over the same course, this makes me focus on extending my stride & pace coming down from 12,200 on my initial walk, to now averaging 10,600 over the same distance (I will improve on that). Huge improvement in attitude, feeling as good as I was and no torn muscles, body feels good, flat belly, blood pressure 108/74, resting heart rate 55, not on any medication, weight is close to where I want it to be, am only half way through the second month of this activity (and loving it) and am convinced I can keep this up for a lot more years. I now feel a kinship to all I see out there walking. Maybe power walking has not got the aerobic value of jogging but it is just the shot for us old buggers, highly recommended. It may not make us live any longer but sure as heck it will improve the quality of the time we have left, as it is so important to be fit and able live an active, enjoyable life style in the retirement years, considering we work hard all our life to get here! George Forward”

Physical and Mental Fitness

“Keeping physically fit ensures I stay mentally healthy and can keep up with the wonderful, whimsical, and wild ways of my two little boys.”

Keep a Healthy Lifestyle

“A few years ago I had to have 4 by-passes done after suffering a heart attack. At 32 years of age at the time I was really shocked  that I let myself get to this point and was so out of shape. I've walked just about 5 days every week since. Walk and find just a little time to do so. You'll find out that it gives you a lot more time rather than take it from you. ”

Challenging Yourself

“I have always walked a fair amount. However, once you put a pedometer on it changes everything, I am really getting to see how far I have walked or not. Also by logging your steps everyday, you can challenge yourself to just do a few more steps than yesterday.”