Member Stories

Hello Steppers--I posted on

“Hello Steppers I posted on the 8th January about my quitting smoking and 10,000 stepping. Just letting you know that it is all going really well. Have not touched a cigarette since 5th January 2007 and have stepped over 500,000 steps. The 2 have gone hand in hand - the walking has helped me with my quitting and the quitting has helped me with my walking. No matter who, no matter what, no matter why - Just know - If I can do this - so can you. ”

Hi Everyone--I saw a

“Hi Everyone I saw a program on TV ( I think it was Oprah) that advised us to walk at least 10000 steps a day. As I was researching pedometers I discovered this website. I then went out and bought a pedometer the same day. I need to lose about 14 kilos and I am very lazy/busy (any excuse!) to have an exercise routine. Having an office job and working less than three minutes walk from the train station doesn't afford me much opportunity to be active. I feel so happy because of this little machine attached to my belt! For the first time in my life I am desiring to walk more and take the stairs or the 'long way round'. My lunchtime has been revolutionised! I am going out every lunchtime for 45 minutes of walking, and i am getting to discover places around melbourne I didn't know existed. It is a city of many surprises... I am also taking my baby son out to the park and discovering new parks.. It is really giving me the motivation to be active. I have averaged 13000 a day so far, which is beyond my own expectation. I get a little kick everytime I check my pedometer and see I have exceeded 10000. So thank you 10000steps - a combination of your website and pedometer has really given me the motivation I lacked before... AJ Melbourne ”

Hi everyone. My

“Hi everyone. My name is Pat. I've decided to join the 10000 walking steps programme because of my recent surgery (quadruple bypass heart on 7th Dec 06). I'm 68 years old and in reasonable nick enjoying my retirement - golf, music, gardening and now walking! I hope to get back to golf in about 6 weeks time (but first I have to look after the sternum!!). This operation has made a fantastic difference to my general well being. I feel so full of energy to what I was before the op although I could still do things but with a handicap. The heart was operating at about 50% efficiency. I was thinking of a 5000 step goal to begin with - but because I feel good have raised the bar to 10000 steps for this month. I might add with the blessing of the The Heart Rehab team at The Canberra Hospital. Oh by the way, I live in Chisholm, ACT.”

Hi Everyone,-I am 76

“Hi Everyone, I am 76 years old and joined last month. I have walked for around 10 years but had started to lose interest. When I saw an article in a magazine about the site I thought that would keep my interest going and it has. I walk on the local walking track as well as on a treadmill .I watch Sunrise of a morning when on the treadmill. I have haemachromatosis which brought on diabetes and as well was operated for uterine cancer last November, so am hoping for a better year, health wise .With walking my diabetes is under control without tablets or injections. My cancer is fine. I belong to a dance club, computer club and an investment club. I appear to be the oldest walker and hope to get to my 1,000,000 steps. If I can do it anyone can. Keep walking. Bronwen. ”

On 31 March 2005

“On 31 March 2005 I left home for my daily bicycle ride through the hills of South Gippsland (Vic). About 40 minutes and about week later I woke up in Intensive Care at the Alfred Hospital. I had been hit by a truck on the final leg of my ride. I had around 20 broken bones including 5 vertebrae, 7 ribs, both legs (multiple), left wrist and shoulder. My Family were counselled that I would never ride a bike again and may not walk. Being described in the local paper as a fitness fanatic, I did not accept this when told After many months of hospital and much rehabilitaion I was fully discharged just prior to Christmas 2005. I moved to Townsville, where I had applied to go to university, for the consistency of climate which would be beneficial to the optimum functioning of my body. By this time I was walking several kilometres a day as well as riding my mountain bike and had made a couple of attempts on a road bike. As the year progressed I became stronger and more confident and ended up doing the Townsville-Cairns ride for the Childrens Cancer Institute. I heard about 10,000 steps through university. Rockhampton mentors had challenged Townsville mentors and the call had gone out. I accepted the challenge. During the challenge I upped my daily routine and built steadily on my weekly totals. I was geting up early every morning and getting in at least two hours on my road bike before going to uni and then walking for at least an hour afterwards. By the end of the challenge I was averaging more than 35,000 steps a day. The challenge gave me a bit more incentive to push to the next level”

Hi there,--I have just

“Hi there, I have just recently started walking, I am obese and need to lose weight. I also have arthritis in my knees so losing the weight and exercising will help them also. Even though I have only just started walking I look forward to it every morning before I go to work, I have found a great place to walk along our local river has a walking track which is shaded with great trees. I am now working on changing my eating habits" I hate the word diet" and hope to lose 15kilos. I have noticed one thing since I started walking how friendly walkers are. GOOD MORNING to you all and keep up the good work. Lesley”

I too have read

“I too have read a fair bit as I walk especially walking to and from the station. The ideal book is a smallish paperback and a good story line and before you know it you've arrived.”

Hi to all you

“Hi to all you walkers, I have had some recent set backs two years prior to 2007 I faced operations one on my foot which layed me up for months and the next year on my knee putting my exercise back yet again I am trying to keep up the program to achieve the 250,000 steps challenge for January 2007 and am nearly there. Unfortunately look like going under the knife for a hernia soon. My passion all my life is to keep fit. I love tennis, walking and most of all Line Dancing because all the people I meet in these activities are quick to smile and laugh. I have a daughter who is very obese and I am trying desparately to encourage her to diet and we are on Optifast to give her incentive as I here it is very effective but diet alone will not lose weight you must move. There is nothing like a nice early morning walk in the new day to cheer you up and set a pace for the whole day. Keeping a track of your steps makes you get up and dressed so as to have something on which to hang your step meter and get every step for that day recorded. Good luck and keep interested your positivity helps others. Cheers Dianne NSW”

Hi-Walking alone can be

“Hi Walking alone can be a little boring, so often people listen to Ipods, radios, CDs etc, but recently I thought what about reading? Yes it is easy & it is great. People may be worried about running into things but peripheral vision is pretty reliable. I have not run into anything yet although a car pulling out of a drive in front of me came close. Going uphill is a little more difficult & you need to look around from time to time or even stop reading as you go up a hill. Speed can be affected to begin with but as you practice you get faster I can even pass people who are not reading now! Be careful of the surface you are walking on if it is uneven it can be more treacherous if you are reading you do not want to suddenly fall in a hole. Recently my friends said I saw you walking to the shops today, I replied it wasn't me. They said, "The person was reading!" - well it seems I am not the only one. Interesting that they only noticed that the person was reading not what they looked like! I am getting through just so many books too. Think the daily paper may be a touch too difficult though!”

Hi,--As an incentive to

“Hi, As an incentive to get those extra steps in, I have been doing a pamphlet run round the streets where we live. The Xmas break has been great, as the number of pamphlets has decreased, but that will probably rise soon. So, this way you get paid to walk, and there is the incentive. Although it is not that much, if you put it all away, you end up with a nice sum after a while, and able to buy you or someone close a nice little present that you may not otherwise be able to afford. The downside of the pamphlets is the folding into bundles. Up to about 6 is OK, over that it is a major task. We had one run late last year where we had 16 different pamphlets for the one delivery. Had to separate into 2 different bundles. It is good at present, as the kids are off school and help with the folding. We deliver to approx 220 letter boxes. Some do more, but we find that this is quite adequate when working full time. I generally deliver over two or three evenings, that way I get the extra walk, and do the walks carrying a bag with weight in it. Keep on walking DG”

Hi everyone, tony g.

“Hi everyone, tony g. here again.As i thought my steps did fall away a bit on holidays but not as much as i thought they might.I just logged on and found the million milestones section,this, I thought is a great idea for those of us who have been tracking our steps throughout last year and before.If you think that the average six foot tall person will take 120 steps per 100 metres,it just takes a calculation to see just how far you have walked for the year.I hope everyone is still enjoying the program,especially those joining us from overseas,anyway,keep on stepping everyone, it does you the world of good.”

Hi Everyone,--I had my

“Hi Everyone, I had my second child on the 15th September 2006. The pregnany was riddled with problems...one of which was my patella kept on slipping out. Loosened ligaments and all those prenancy hormones weren't doing my knee any good. I ended up not exercising and keeping my knee in a brace because I was constantly scared that my knee was going to pop out again. Once my daughter was born I told myself that I had to get back to the exercise. I just found it really hard to walk because I was in pain every time I walked up and down hills. I decided to pull out the pedometer again and revisit this site. I decided to slowly work through the pain and gradually work up my step count. I have now also pulled my finger out and am now going to the physio about my knee. This will probably mean that I won't quite complete this months challenge...but there are so many more that I can do once my knee is ship shape. Keep stepping everyone, Susan ”

As a U.S. resident

“As a U.S. resident (I live in the State of New Hampshire, in the Northeast corner of the US), it is such great fun to be doing this with folks from Australia. For many of us in the United States, your country represents "something better", a country of active individualists with a slightly different take on how the world should work. My daily goal is 12,345 and one-half steps a day. Pretty exciting for someone who couldn't finish a one-mile walk 3 months ago! And thanks to the site administrators for letting us be a part of this...”

Hey everyone, am 34

“Hey everyone, am 34 years old and had to have emergency open heart surgry 3 months ago. I had to walk (doctors orders) right when I got home from hospital. My mom bought me a pedometer and I had plenty of time to hang out on the internet where I stumbled (thank God) on this website. I joined in the December challenge and actually completed it, I was so proud I printed my certificate and hung it in my office at work. Now I have bought myself a new pedometer and I track everything I do, dance, walk, play racquetball, anything to make those numbers go up. It is so fun and I am getting so healthy in the meantime. Hang in there steppers, if I can do it anyone can. Nikki”

Hi everyone,--My trick when

“Hi everyone, My trick when I get blisters is to cover them with bandaids and then to put a layer of thick strapping tape overtop. This way even when breaking in new shoes, I can continue my walking! Also have a look at our newsletter archive for April 2006, there is a great blister story in there - http://10000steps.org.au/?page=lifestyles/archive06. Great to see everyone sharing their stories - we enjoy hearing from you all! Cheers, Anetta (10,000 Steps Project Officer)”

Just feel I am

“Just feel I am coming to the end of a real hard part of life, both changed jobs, moved house & area, and suffering from terrible stress, anxiety and depression, I spent 4 months off work after being diagnosed with really high blood pressure. Have been back in work now for over a year and starting to feel optomistic about life. I have brought a step counter, started the CISCO diet and now will!! loose 7 kilos over the next 7 weeks....... Never ever been on a diet before but have never been this heavy (75 kilos). Average in Jan so far 11491 so feeling good.”

Hi. I have

“Hi. I have just started an i-challenge, and completed my first week on a weight loss program (weigh in tonight). I have been in a team challenge and know that it works, but have started 9 days late, so am a bit worried about making it. We will see.”

Hey there--Walking my tootsies

“Hey there Walking my tootsies off and now have blisters. I know I really need to wear proper shoes (cheated and wore the massage sandals this morning), but does anyone out there have any good blister remedies. They wont deter me, have got really thick socks and will wear the trainers tomorrow, but they really hurt. Yours in Walking (and i do a lot of talking) Cheers A”

Happy New Year.-I am

“Happy New Year. I am starting the new year with a bucketload of goals. - Quit smoking, Get active and enjoy life without the burden of guilt. Was at the pharmacy last week and bought a pedometer and a packet of nicotine replacement lozenges. All this in addition to the new bike I got for xmas from my long suffering husband, so I can ride my bike to work every day. Not saying it is easy, but I feel really optimistic, and needed something to work on while I beat the smoking. Doing well except for Saturday here where it was 42 degrees and humid meaning the evaporative airconditioner did nothing. My husband and I sat in the pool, drinking water, and I only achieved 1729 steps. Now it is Monday, back on the bike, walked the dogs this morning and feeling really good. Watch out all you 10,000 steppers, I am out to get you (oops - support you and get your support too)”

Hi -For those whose

“Hi For those whose pedometers are in danger of being lost or dropped and damaged, tie a small piece of wool or string through it and saftey pin it on the inside of your waistband. No more pedometers in toilets!!”

Yay!! I reached 1,000,000

“Yay!! I reached 1,000,000 steps in less than three months! Anyway that aside, I just wanted to thank everyone for sharing their stories. I started my "healthy lifestyle" plan on the 19th of October and am pleased to say that here on the 4th of January I have lost a grand total of 27 centimeters - 14 from my waist and 13 from my hips. My weight is unknown at this stage but I will be stepping on the scales when I see the dietician on the 11th of January and then we will go from there. Unfortunately my health conditions have not improved, with my lungs aching from the asthma and making it difficult to walk and do my favourite exercise of all at the moment... tae-bo. Anyhow on the whole I am enjoying the walking/exercising and want to encourage you all to keep going. Remember, when you're climbing up that mountain it's one step at a time! Ana”

Just joined at the

“Just joined at the end of Dec 06. Just been diagnosed with Leukemia and tumours on kidney, both lungs and thyroid. As a large set gent of 157kg I need to shed truckloads before I start chemo as my specialist tells me that the amount of chemo given is based on weight and will therefor be given three times the amount required! Over the years having tried many diets I have found that walking is the only method that works however the motivation is the problem. This program is like no other with set goals to be achieved. Seadog”

Hi All-I've just clocked

“Hi All I've just clocked up three million steps. I have struggled this year to keep walking, and had some computer problems so didn't record steps for three months, I found myself walking less during this time. Now I'm starting to get back on track, and averaging 8700 steps per day. Hope the new I-challenges will help me increase this. New years resolution will be to keep walking and end 2007 with a higher daily average than 2006. Happy walking everyone. ”

Hi Everyone--My name is

“Hi Everyone My name is Fiona and I am the one who wrote on the 29th Nov. A Big Hello to Kelly who wrote on the 2nd Dec. it sounds as though we have alot in common with the weight and Children etc. I have had an interesting week, my pedometer that I got from the Woman's Day promotion kept dropping off when I would bend down for my Children etc. Then I lost it altogether when I went out Shopping. I was fortunate that I knew approx. how many steps that I had already done. I then realised how committed that I have come to 10,000 steps, so I managed to buy another pedometer which worked out for the best. The new pedometer has a cover so I don't have to worry about deleting my steps (which has happened in the past). I love the fact that I know the distance I have walked, the calories I have used etc. I have made myself a promise that with Christmas coming I will still aim for 10,000 on the day! I don't even want to take a break, especially since I love my Christmas dinner so much! This month is my first full month on 10,000 steps. I have completed my I-challenge by day 12, which is encouraging. In January I will up my challenge, I better make sure I get off my butt instead of getting into Holiday mode. I want to wish everyone a Wonderful Christmas filled with LOVE, JOY & PEACE! and I hope that nobody overdoses on the Christmas Pudding! Bless you All! Fiona”

I wish I could

“I wish I could remember how I found out about 10,000 steps! I feel as if everyone should know about it and this web site so I make it my business to tell everyone how helpful it has been motivating me to keep with the walking program. Like others have said, I now love it when I can't find a parking space near the store! It gives me another excuse to "get a few more steps" on my little gadget. I started with 10,000 steps, but after about two weeks decided to make the goal 13,000 steps and that's when I joined the I-Challenge. My life is full and busy, but I look forward to logging in my steps each day and checking my progress on the little graph. I am a director of a nursery school program and I always show the children how many steps....they try out the ped. and then we record their steps...we compare running steps, and walking steps. Everyone is enjoying the adventure! (and getting healthy at the same time). In three weeks I have lost five lbs....the healthy way...eating good food and walking 10,000 steps. Julia”