Member Stories

Hi Ana--What a great

“Hi Ana What a great inspiration you are. My step-sister is also has schizophrenia and struggles with her weight. Like all of us, she has trouble staying motivated, and at the moment is in a bit of a low patch. I am going to share your story with her, and hope that it inspires her as much as it has inspired me! Thanks you for sharing. Kerrie”

1,500,000 steps today... It

“1,500,000 steps today... It only took 4 months and 1 day.. Kathy Gold Coast”

Hi Ana--You go girl!!!

“Hi Ana You go girl!!! Congratulations on your achievements so far. Just to get to where you are is an inspiration to many others and now you have decided to make a change I bet you will surprise yourself with what you can achieve. Remember someone famous once said \"the longest journey starts with a single step\". Enjoy the journey and keep up posted on all the great things that are going to happen for you.”

Found it milder down

“Found it milder down in Perth. But now as we approach Carnavon it's getting Hot. You don't realise just how hot the outback sun is until you're in it - day after day. And the thing is it's only going to get hotter the closer we get to Broome because that's really close to the equator. Anyway, I better get back to walking, because despite all the razza mattaz around the web and all, that is what this challenge is really about - walking! ”

It's now been

“Hi there It\'s now been nearly a month since I smoked and I\'m averaging nearly 16,000 steps a day. Very proud of myself (especially the non-smoking thing). The daylight saving is great because now I can walk the dog before and after work, so my average will just get bigger as my waist and chance of heart attack get smaller. ”

Can I congratulate Ana

“Can I congratulate Ana - 28 Ocotober 2006 - good work - keep going - you can do it! There is so much to see when on your walk - just keep smiling when you are stepping it out - you will enjoy it so much more.”

Hi there,-I just started

“Hi there, I just started yesterday, already 6000 steps. Wish me luck.. SP”

Hi to all the

“Hi to all the new starters.. Wow there certainly has been an increase in stories which is great. I have been doing 10000 since July 1 and I thoroughly suggest that you complete the health history. I do mine monthly as I am way too impatient to wait 3 months. So far I have lost 12 cm between hips and waist, but only 1 kg... And drastically reduced my cholesterol levels... So don\'t rely on those scales, get a tape measure and you will see the real difference. Good luck to all.. Kathy (Gold Coast)”

Hi. Sorry this is

“Hi. Sorry this is so long... I've only been logging my steps for just over a week and am working at slowly increasing my average steps per day. At the moment i'm averaging 4,629 steps per day with my maximum number of steps per day being just over 9,000. I have been suffering from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder since 1997, am extremely (morbidly) obese, and as well as suffering from a foot condition, have asthma which worsens on physical exertion and have "issues" with my lower back. Because of my illnesses I have been on medication that messed my body up, and have gone on crash diets to try and fix it up... resulting in me not eating for months at a time and purging if I even thought of eating. It's taken years for me to learn that this isn't healthy, but now I've come to that decision and decided that I wanted to make a stand against all the stuff that was snowballing from my lack of exercise and bad eating habits. I had heard of the 10,000 steps program through my sister and decided to get a pedometer to see how many steps I actually was doing a day. Originally I thought that I would easily do 10,000 steps a day with the activities that I was already doing so I got a nasty surprise when I realised how few steps I was taking. Since then I have tried to ensure that I was walking every day and have managed to beat my goal of 5,000 steps every day but two this week. Some of the extra activities that I've started doing as well as the walking include tae bo, swimming, and some cardio activities on another dvd. I'm also encouraging a friend of mine who wants to lose some weight for a wedding to join the program because that way we can help to motivate and inspire each other to meet our goals and hopefully exceed them. As yet there has been no change in my weight, size or physical/mental health... but I know this is still early days and I have committed myself for the long haul. Thank you to everyone who has shared their story. Your successes help inspire me on those days that I think I can't possibly take another step. Ana”

Hi everyone in stepping

“Hi everyone in stepping world. Wow I did not think I could make the 10000 steps but shocked myself totally. I found myself dusting off the old step aerobics video, and walking instead of driving to the local shop. The more I stepped the more active I became. Before starting on this I was a real slug in the bug, now after 2 weeks I feel healthier, have more energy and will certainly keep stepping. I found myself going swimming, doing more things with the kids and grandkids. Oh and moving house and cleaning 2 houses inside and out certainly made those steps add up. There were days when I just dropped from exhaustion, but each day I found it easier to do more and more activities. I will continue to step along as it does increase your energy limit which was something I greatly needed. ”

It was after my

“It was after my third hip replacement that I knew something had to change. Inspired by other personal fitness legends such as Grace Kelly and the legendary Herb Elliot I moved into a good space psychologically, prepared myself mentally, fitted a prosthesis to my left stub, and set off. I\'m now leading the workplace in personal fitness and hope to lead the workplace in the 10000 step challenge. If I can do it with only one real foot, anyone can!!”

Hi steppers, just a

“Hi steppers, just a short line to tell you that I didn’t realise Bowen was so beautiful. I have been doing the 10000 steps around different parts of Bowen and have seen beautiful scenery I had never seen before. I have also come across a few small dogs in my travels and man don’t they make your feet move a bit faster and also get the heart rate up. What a feeling. I am enjoying doing the steps and happy walking to you all.”

Hi everyone,-I started the

“Hi everyone, I started the 10,000 steps program two weeks ago, on the same day I stopped smoking after 20 years. I haven\'t had a cigarette since and I am averaging 12,200 steps per day. I\'m not sure if I feel better yet and I haven\'t weighed myself or anything. This program is just one more thing I can focus on instead of smoking. ”

I've been in this

“I've been in this program for about 4 weeks now and I'm so proud to say that my average steps is about 14,000 a day! This is more excersise than I've ever done in my life and I'm very happy to say that I'm making a positive difference to my health and my life. I have now resolved to make a huge effort to change my diet from next week, because while I'm being very active, my eating habits are keeping me from really making a difference to my weight. Writing this here online is one way for me to commit, so wish me luck and keep up the inspiring stories and helpful hints! Happy stepping!”

Hi there gang,--I had

“Hi there gang, I had a old treadmill I brought for "SHE WHO MUST BE OBEYED" (wife) for Christmas one year, anyway guys you know the story, she went like a steam train for a week or two then the only exercise the treadmill was used for was the spiders doing pushups on. I now have the treadmill setup under the house with a DVD player and TV. I put on a DVD and walk/run for a hour on so its great exercise. Also men I know the footie is over but next season move the beer fridge. Put it in another room or move it upstairs, you will get more steps. The more you drink the more steps you get. Captain Percy The Pring Piggies. ”

Hi everyone,-Just thought I'd

“Hi everyone, Just thought I'd give you an update. I am pleased to say that i have lost 8kg and feeling so much better for it. My jeans are beginning to get baggy. I'm feeling fitter. I can manage 10000 steps however i have noticed my toes are going numb on one foot. I'm hoping with more weight loss that this will disappear as i believe it is just poor circulation to the area (If anyone else suffers this let me know).I've chosen to have two walks a day instead of one big one, as this seems to help. keep up the good work and keep on walking. JAK”

yeeeeee,haaaaaaa, just clicked over

“yeeeeee,haaaaaaa, just clicked over my first million. G.D.S”

Well I started a

“Well I started a much needed diet today, Im 80kgs and 173cms tall. My baby boy is now 8 months old and I think I can no longer use the excuse "oh Ive just had a baby!!" I have a good 10kgs to lose and I think this website is just the motivation I need. Wish me luck!! Bye Emma”

Like the person who

“Like the person who wrote on Sept 27, I also have asthma, am extremely overweight, have multiple joint and back problems, and have suffered from depression. Joining the 10000 steps program last year is one of the best things I ever did. I have lost weight, and both my physical and mental health have improved enormously. For the first time in decades I have experienced a hospital-free year. Most people find it difficult to start a new good habit. Getting a friend to walk with you and increasing your steps a little bit each day helps. When I first began walking, I could only last a minute or two, now I can easily walk for more than an hour. Also walking somewhere nice, like a park, and varying my walks keeps my motivation higher.”

Hi everyone, just a

“Hi everyone, just a quick note to say how great everyone is going on the 10000 steps, I had been walking with friends for a few months before joining (mainly to loose some much needed weight) and to try and get my own body back again. 10000 steps gave us that added incentive and I'm pleased to say I have gone from 94kgs to 69.6kgs (this took me 16 months to do). I can now average around 15000 steps a day, 19000 on a really good day plus extra activities which I was really missing like horse ridding, swimming and even bike ridding. My husband and kids are thrilled with my progress and my new look. Here is some advice for the people to think they cant do it, always think to yourself "I can do anything I want to do, one more step will not kill me" I have and I now feel great Keep up the good work and keep on walking Happy walker”

Hi again everyone Tony

“Hi again everyone Tony g. here. Just to give an update. Since joining I am still averaging approx. 17000 steps per day,which gives about 120000 steps per week. This is taking in to account any extra activity I do whilst not wearing the pedometer. I do some heavy physical work at times which helps with fitness,as well as walking over 12000 steps on work days. I am hoping to reach 6000000 steps buy christmas. I know that over the christmas break, I will be on holidays so,my steps will more than likely drop off. But that will be the challenge for evryone I think, come to that time of year. Anyway hope everyone is still enjoying the program, and benefiting from it. Keep on stepping, Tony g. ”

I've just been on

“I've just been on the site for a week and I'm trying to work my steps a day up from not quite 2000 a day. I'm extremely overweight, have asthma and arthritis in my knees along with suffering from depression. It is a struggle each day to try to get some walking in. The stories I've read have been inspiring, so that is good. I just need to keep that spark of inspiration going so that I can slowly increase my steps. Thanks to all who have shared their stories, you are helping whether you know it or not!”

Hi everyone. What a

“Hi everyone. What a wonderful and useful website i stumbled upon. I just started my program, it's been a week. I'm only averaging 9000 steps a day at the moment, however it's improving everyday. I work in the public health industry and know too well how important an active lifestyle and healthy diet are for an individuals wellbeing. With that said i haven't been the best role model. At 5'4", and 108kg (last week). I'm 103kg now thanks to my pedometer and new healthy eating program. I'm just lucky i have never had high blood pressure, cholesterol, or blood sugars (I'm 35). Just low self esteem and no motivation. That was then and this NOW. My journey has begun and so too has that of many of my colleagues as i have become a provider. STAY TUNED. Jak”

Well I finally made

“Well I finally made the 1 million step mark. Although I started using the site and took awhile to get into the habit of walking and recording it, it wasn't until I set a daily goal that I started to really improve. It is important to set goals even the daily goal limit but it is even better to have goals to improve your your daily best, weekly best, monthly best or a date to hit your first million. I wanted to get to 1 million by the 31 August and I made it and the feeling was very good. I told everyone around me that I was going to do it and I did. Now my next target is my 2nd million by 31 December (one month less than the first million took). Another thing that motivated me was reading all the great stories of all the people that make the time to get 10000 steps in their day and I thought if they can do it, than I have no excuses. Thanks for the great site and keep walking everyone and get others into it. Cheers Noleen Queensland, Australia”

Hi All,--So glad to

“Hi All, So glad to see so many new people finding out about this great site. Well I have been counting steps for two months now and I found out last night that my cholesterol levels have finally hit the normal range, even though I have taken medication for it for over 2 years, it never seemed to change. My cholesterol has never before been below 7.8 (have been having it checked for about 14 years now)... yesterday my result was 4.8... Yeah... Keep on walking... Kathy”