Member Stories

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”

I stumbled across this

“I stumbled across this web site and immediately thought this is for me. Absolutely perfect, I love walking. Now I have a purpose, a goal to reach. Something to push me just that little bit further. In just one week my jeans have gone from painfully tight to snug tight. What will happen in two weeks, a month or even a year. I'm spreading the story of this site far and wide. Thank you to the people behind this wonderful idea.”

Hey All,-I'm a 21-y-o

“Hey All, I'm a 21-y-o woman, at 92kg, which sounds a little on the heavy side, and even more so when you realise that I'm 5'4"!! I have had some health issues, (not related to weight) since I was 13, and these are only made worse by the weight. Like so many others, I've tried 'everything', that umbrella word, meaning about 50 things, for at least five minutes, or until I or my partner decide enough is enough. I refuse to have powder-and-water-shake-meals, order food from diet companies, count calories, or attend a gym. The gym thing is a confidence issue. Don't ya just feel so FAT looking at all the people who are so fit?? Well, one foot in a gym and I feel like a heifer! HOWEVER - I love walking, and have often wondered just how much more I need to do, aside from work and housework, to make it to the goal. So on with the new pedometer, and away we go. I must say a big 'thanks' to my Latin Dance teacher for adding a good 6000 steps to my wednesdays!! I've only been at it a few days so far, so lets just see! I've got a ball in December for my partner's Regiment (yes, he's one of those wonderful men protecting our country, off all over the world for 7 months at a stretch), and for a REALLY BIG CHANGE would like NOT to be the fattest woman under 40! Lets see if 10 000 Steps and I can do it... It's great not to be alone any more, and great work to everyone, you've inspired ME to try something new. Luv u all Kat”

Hi, i'm an aspiring

“Hi, i'm an aspiring AFL umpire and I enjoy running around the field for multiple reasons, fitness, teamwork building, knowledge of the laws, pay reward, increased social activities, but most of all its an important and key way to monitor my hard work with the 10,000 STEPS pedometer. ive had it on all throughout august and totalled a monster 220,280 steps in just the 1 month! for those who like statistics: it was a distance of 145.32km burning a massive 10,229.9 calories with an average days running being 15,734.29 steps or 10.38kms. Over the month i reached a maximum of 27,870 steps or 18.39km and a minimum of 8400 steps / 5.54km on a day during the month. I'm 173cm tall and weigh in at a stable 66kg with an average step length of 66cm. Over the course of next year I am looking forward to see how well I can manage energy consumption to energy output. But it just goes to show you that just because you are already fit doesnt mean that the pedometer is not for you. I thought the same until I put it to a researchable use and now I can improve each month and the evidence will show during finals selections when my fitness dominates and allows me to make clear,consistant,confident decisions during games. I never walk on the field without it now. Thank you 10,000 Steps! Anthony ”

Hi all just to

“Hi all just to let people know how I have been doing. One of the benifits for me has been in waight loss. when we started I was 93Kls to day I hopped on the scales and I am presently 89.5 all in less than three months. great feeling. I found these helped- Tips: walk with buddy - Drink water before and after walks - plan your walks for the week and review -celibrate small achivements -dont be critical of self. Stay positive.”

REPLY to Sore Feet

“REPLY to "Sore Feet" 30th July Firstly: Congratulations to everyone! I work in Helath Promotion for Qld Health and one of my roles is to promote 10,000 Steps. It is grea to read these stories and see how much it changes people's attitudes to physicl activity - and how it changes their life! People always want that "magic pill" for health. But people fail to realise that WE HAVE IT ALREADY: its called active lifestyles and healty eating! Secondly: To Sore Feet: jsut a few things that spring to mind regardig feet. 1. make sure you have correct footwear - go to a sports store and get them fitted corectly and make sure they know what activity you are doing. I am a run and do aerobics and I have different shoes for each activity due to the different support required. 2. have you increased your activitiy dramatically? it is recommended that you increase your activity gradually at about 10-15% each week. This is especially important for people running as you don't want to overload your body - a 10% increase in distance is recommended. 3. are your shoes old? Old shoes have less support and less stability so look at getting some new ones if you are quite active. Shoes should be changed about 3-6 months. 4. what socks are you wearing? try to find socks that add cushioning. (coolmax or similar are good) I actually wear 2 pairs of socks when I run and I found that this reduces soreness. Hope these tips provide you with some good advice. Happy stepping! Renae Senior Health Promotion Officer (Physical Activity) Tropical Population Health Unit- Townsville Renae_Gordon@health.qld.gov.au”

I have been doing

“I have been doing the challenge for a month now and went in for a check up and I no longer have a high thyroid and do not have to take synthroid for it. I have been on synthroid for five years. I am now walking 20,000 steps a day and started with 10,000. I haven't lost any weight but I feel better and I'm no longer taking three naps a day.None now.I feel better than I have in years.”

Following Prostate Cancer Surgery

“Following Prostate Cancer Surgery late 2005 began fitness recovery in May 2006. Try to walk 12K 6 days a week with one day rest. Have completed Jetty to Jetty and Bridge to Brisbane as part of the program. Any Gentlemen out there over the age of 50 who has not had PSA test for prostate cancer I urge you to have one. (PSA - Prostate Specific Antigen, a simple blood test) It saved my life, if I had not been diagnosed when I was, I would be fighting for my life now. I received a lot of support from the Pros Can support group and all they asked in return was that I pass on the message as widely as I can. This I do with pleasure and gratitude. ”

G'day. I am a

“G'day. I am a semi-retired Secondary Teacher who, like many, has finally lost the 'battle of the bulge' through a combination of menopause, love of chocolate and a more sedentary lifestyle these days. I am a movie lover and spend way too much time sitting watching them! A couple of years ago, I got quite sick while travelling overseas, lost about 6 kilos, then 4 or 5 more after joining a well-known food delivery program and trying to walk 10,000 steps a day - even bought a dog to give me a reason to walk but alas, I got lazy again and the weight is starting to creep back on as I find lots of excuses NOT to walk. Today I found this site whilst looking for information on healthy exercise in yet another bid to get the kilos off before I leave for ANTARCTICA at Christmas. I don't want to be the middle-aged lady who has to be helped all the time because I am too unfit and lacking in agility to manage adequately. I want to live till I die and as I plan to live to a ripe old age like my 89 year old mother, I am about to start again after finding this website. WISH ME LUCK!”

It has been a

“It has been a month today, since joining the 10,000 steps program. Well today I couldn't resist and did another health assessment... Wow! am I glad I did.. Since starting my weight has not changed, but I have dropped 3 cm from both my waist and hips... My resting heart rate has dropped by 20 bpm.. I am averaging over 12500 steps a day (even though I have a major drop over the weekend.. I am still hitting that mark as an average. I am loving it. On Sunday nights, I feel a bit bad that I haven't done much over the weekend, so I end up walking around the lounge room after everyone goes to bed. Last Sunday I did 248 laps around the 2 chairs in the lounge room. I am right when I tell people that if I can do it, so can they. I am a bit worried though about the upcoming hot months, does anyone else have ideas.”

Hi everyone,my name is

“Hi everyone,my name is tony.Like a couple of others,I joined the 10000 steps program as an initiative of Queensland Rail and a promotion for mens health week.So i have been in the program now for about 5 months,and have just clocked up two and a half million steps.Being that I lost my car in an acccident about a year and a half ago,so being on foot ever since I found that the walking is easy enough going to and from work and walking around the worksite,to make the 10000 steps per day.I am enjoying the challenges put forward each month,this month I am actually attempting to fit in twenty days at thirteen thousand.I have always been fairly fit and this is a way to keep up that mentality.Occasionally I would find on a lazy weekend that my step count is only about 3000 or so by the afternoon,so I make myself get outside and do a walk.This could be just around the block or if I am down on the steps,a half an hour walk to Toombul shopping centre and back.I hope that all the people in the program are getting enough encouragement and enjoyment out of the exercise.I have been reading some very inspirational stories over the last couple of months that prove,it is not just how far you travel physically,but how far you travel mentally and spiritually as well.Keep up the good work everyone, Tony G. ”

Hi, I've been wearing

“Hi, I've been wearing a pedometer for years and recording my steps each night. I'd heard years ago that we needed to try to walk 10,000 steps each day & so I've attempted to do this,with a 2km swim every second day. How excited I was when I tripped upon your web site accidently, traded my old pedometer immediately for your 10,000 step one & off I trott. I feel wonderful, I'm NEVER at the Dr's. & love life. I'm 46, and have just purchased a home with lots of stairs & loving it. G.D.S.”

I've been with 10000

“I've been with 10000 Steps for quite a few years now and am knocking on 10 million steps! I'm a Rockhampton member and in the last year or so have taken to carrying a bag to pick up litter as I go along the Frenchville Track - so I keep both myself and the environment healthy. Rockhampton City Council are about to sponsor a new group of volunteers under the banner "Greensteps" with individual volunteers contracting to clean a local street or park they habitually walk in - we hope to launch this group in September 2006. Anyone interested in more details feel free to contact me. Peter. e-mail: p.hallinan@cqu.edu.au”

hi all,-i was really

“hi all, i was really excitted when i was given a pedometer!!!!(this is my first week) on an average day i do 19000-21000 which may sound crazy but i do it easily. im a school student so pretty active but every day consists of jogging in the morning and walking in the afternoons. and walking to meals but yeh. im very happy to know i have a active life!!!”

When I started 10,000

“When I started 10,000 Steps my target was 1,000,000 steps by August 2006. I doubled that! 2,000,000 steps as at the start of August 2006. I never would have thought it possible. I am still at 86 kilo, and I am so happy with that having reduced my weight from 120 kilo from December 2004 to 86 kilo by October 2005 and maintaining that weight ever since. I gotta tell ya, I'm happy!”

During the month of

“During the month of May, my workplace had this 10,000 step competition I decided to join it. I was very surprised to find, how few a steps I took each day. Being a locomotive Driver, I spend most of the day on my rear end. I entered the steps program, as a way to get myself motivated in doing more physical activity. I started only doing 8515 steps per day, way below the 10,000, so I increased my walk route, and varied it, so it would not become boring. By the end of the second week I was averaging 10,199 steps. The program at work has finished, but I’m doing the Individual challenges. The program at work asked people to share their stories about the 10,000 steps program, My story was one they picked as being a good one, my prize was a $50 voucher from Amart sports, so as they had a sale on, I got myself a good pair of walking shoes with the voucher. M. Digby Queensland, Australia ”

Hi steppers-i started back

“Hi steppers i started back in april but really slacked off due to some family things going on. But im back on track once again now. I got the dog lead this morning and my 11 yr son and off we went for a 40min walk the poor dog was pooped before us hehe. anyway i managed to do over 7000 steps but find that my feet are really sore was wondering if anyone else has this problem as well and what have they done or tried to do to fix it. i do have a good pair of runner with air in them so it isnt that but was wondering if it was cause of my weight. I started off at 120.7 kilo and down to 115 which im happy with so far.”

Hello Everybody,-I'm an obese

“Hello Everybody, I'm an obese "Bionic Hippy Lady! [Bilateral Hip Replacements] Riddled with Osteo Arthritis and various other unhealthy ailments! I found this site accidently while looking for something else on the 'net one day, so I went out and bought the 10,000 Steps Pedometer and came back here to register. Here is a Community Centre on a Housing Estate Where I do Volunteer work running an Internet Cafe! I must be the most sedentary person ever! I found that when I have a whole day at home I don't move much at all - I'm flat out like a lizard drinking recording 500 steps on the Pedometer - usually less! So I'm sorting out ways and means to up the Numbers! I've started reading through other's stories to get a few ideas I can try. One sugesstion though came to me from a lady at a weight watchers class I used to attend. She uses the Sydney White Pages Directories - without unwrapping them - as a step stool. So as our White pages have just been delivered I think that might be a good way for me to start. Especially when I am spending the day inside. I'll keep you all posted when and if I think I'm getting it right! yours in Walkies Cathrene ”

Hi All (very long

“Hi All (very long - sorry), I kept hearing the ads on the radio about getting a pedometer from your local library.. I kept on thinking "I wonder how many steps I do each day". Knowing that it easily had to be 10,000 steps. I organised to borrow a pedometer from the local library and I was shocked..most days I only did about 3500 - 4500 steps.. surely that must be wrong, because I am up and down all day. As soon as I started wearing the pedometer, I quickly noticed some little things that I could do that would increase my steps each day.. Instead of driving around trying to find the closest carpark to work. Now I head straight to the back corner and have no problem with a carpark. I no longer cross roads on a diagonal, I walk to the end then cross in a straight line. No more standing at the photocopier, I take the opportunity to walk the 154 steps to empty the recycling bin no matter how little paper is in it. I only take the lift (one floor) if I am carrying something heavy) After 2 weeks (last Saturday) I had to take the pedometer back, but before I did I went to the local sports store and bought myself one.. This week I have started an even bigger increase, a very brisk walk (approx 3200 steps in a half hour) at lunch time. Which for me is a really big thing. But I can feel the benefits already. I have gotten less red in the face after each walk (ok so I know it has only been 3 days but I have to start somewhere). I am even sleeping better and waking up more refreshed. The biggest thing for me though, is I am keeping this all a secret from my husband. He knows I am trying to do 10,000 steps a day, but has no idea that I am passing that goal each and every day or that I am walking at lunch time. He is not very encouraging when it comes to this kind of thing, but then I don't blame him with all the 'exercise regimes' I have had over the years. I want to wait until he can see a change in me, then I will be able to proudly tell him, just how many steps I have done. I found this site today and signed up straight away, then went on to sign up for one of this months challenges. What a nice surprise, when I came home and entered all my steps from the past 2 and a half weeks to find that I am almost 50% of the way through the challenge. So I am just going to keep putting one foot in front of the other and see just how far I can go. Have a great day Kathy”