Member Stories

What a challenge all

“What a challenge all this fitness program can be! The Qld Health challenge with the built-in team spirit finished, the heat of summer set in and then there is Xmas and the gluggy food glut. Blessed we 10,000 steppers are to have manageable goals, e-support and a program to help us with the new year renewed resolution. 2 million steps here I come!KH ”

Team Fran Mar (three

“Team Fran Mar (three people) has just completed the trip from Byron Bay to Carnarvon. We started out on 18th August and have completed the 5 million steps required.In that time, two of us have been in hospital, Fran for a Gall Bladder Op and myself with a DVT. Wendy walks with a walking stick because of her bad knees. The walking is showing the benefits now. For a while, we did not loose weight, just change shape. But now, the kilos are starting to disappear. Now we must start a new challenge. Dave, team leader. ”

Hi All, like

“Hi All, like your stories, they are very encouraging. I have only just started the programme, with a view to getting fit and shedding a load of unwanted pounds. Similar to Carolyne in age and previous lack of movement. I am now averaging at 8000, but still having days of only 2500. I realise that I must go out on days off or I will not achieve my goal. Good everyone. ”

I am a member

“I am a member of a small team who have enjoyed logging our steps since early this year. The recording of our results and participation in challenges has helped us focus on our fitness and benefit from the extra activity that has become part of our lives. All of the team members have had at least one surgery during this time. The 10000 Steps program has helped us to recover our fitness and continue on with our efforts. We have thorougly enjoyed using the site. Team Fran Mar. ”

Hi Everyone,--I joined this

“Hi Everyone, I joined this web site about 3 weeks ago after I purchased a pedometer. I am amazed at the difference it has made to my level of activity. A normal day for me used to only add up to about 2500 steps but since wearing a podometer I have become a bit obsessed about racking up some steps whenever I can. I have begun parking the car further away so I have to walk further to Kinda, work & the shops etc. Instead of trying to unload all the shopping at once and carry groceries and a thousand other things under my chin and arms etc I now do 3 or 4 trips out to the car. The kids and I go for a walk every evening on our farm. We have 4500 acres so are able to walk somewhere different every day. We have made many discoveries and are thoroughly enjoying our walks together. I have also discovered that if I walk around our verandah it is 125 steps. So while the kids are in the bath or shower I do ten laps of the house calling out to the kids to wash their hair etc as I go past. I am now averaging 9000 steps a day with some days being as high as 13000 and others as low as 6000. I am trying to get my health in order by losing some weight and improving my fitness. I am aiming to be fabulous at 40 which gives me about 18 months. Cheers Carolyn ”

Hi to everyone.--Just want

“Hi to everyone. Just want to share with you why this activity represents and important part of my daily life. In 1979, my Grandfather and Grandmother on my mother's side both died from diabetes realted illness. In 1991 my mother's brother died from diabetes related ilness, and in 1997 my mother passed away from diabetes related illness. To date 3 of my older sisters have been diagnosed with adult onset diabetes. I turn 40 next April and have for the last 15 years struggled with my weight. I was at one time a top class athlete playing "A" grade cricket in Brisbane. Since I have stopped that activity I have put on and on weight. At over 100kg I realise that I need to do something about my health. So far since March this year I have peddeled 5000 klm to and from work. A 27 klm journey each way. I have not lost a lot of weight but I have improved my health. The Race to Tarino is the incentive that I need to keep going. My wife and I would like to have a family and will need to use IVF to make this happen. To do that we both need to loose weight. We are both hoping that we can acheive our goal of a small family and loose the unwanted kilos. Good luck to everyone!! ”

Hi,-This program has been

“Hi, This program has been great for me. I have just reached my million steps and it has taken me 3 1/2 months with a daily average of about 9750. My challenge is now to get my average up to over 10000 and reach the next million in less time. I really appreciate reading others stories and they always help to give me further encouragement. Keep stepping and keep the stories coming. J. ”

Hi all,--At the beginning

“Hi all, At the beginning of the year I had decided this was my year to loose weight. I had used a pedometer and counted steps before with some success, but lost interest after a while. At the beginning of the year I started walking once a day and within a few months I was so addicted to walking I was doing anything up to 3 walks a day. In April I started to run as I had taken my walking to as far as I could push myself. Having never run before I took it slowly. In June I started to ride a road bike and in July started swimming. I still incorporate walks into my training week, as I like them so much. I am 35 and lost 23kg in 9 months and am doing my first Triathlon in Dec 05. I am also doing road cycling races and plan to do an Adventure Race next year. I have never felt so good in my life and never thought I would be able to attempt the activities I am doing at the moment. I am in my healthy weight range and BMI. With all the activities I am able to do now I am noticing I am getting stronger and my body is changing to muscle. Now summer is starting people are commenting on how much I have changed. Because of what I have achieved and how I started, I have implemented the 10,000 Step Challenge at my work. I keep telling people to get out and walk. With consistency the rewards are tremendous. Sacha ”

Hi Steppers,-The programme is

“Hi Steppers, The programme is a great incentive to walk. The kids were interested in the pedometer and how many steps I was doing each day. So I walked and walked and my kids came up with some helpful hints to increase my steps 1. To hand it around to his class mates so they could all have a go 2. Shake it because the numbers go up 3. Stamping on the spot also made the numbers go up, A family effort. So I did not take the easy path and lost 4 kilos. Debbie ”

Hi there all my

“Hi there all my stepping mates. I have made my 2 Million and will keep on stepping, this has been a superb incentive for me to do my daily exercise. So I hope this program is giving lots of other people the incentive, it is cheap and it is easy, do it at your own leisure and enjoy fresh air and get to see places in your suburb that you never knew existed. KEEP STEPPING EVERYONE Linda xx ”

Hi Guys,--I started off

“Hi Guys, I started off with 10000steps back at the end of May after my doctor told me the plain facts about my health and I got a HbA1C result which suggested that I was losing the control over my blood sugar levels -I turn 59 next year and plan to have a few good years after retirement. My weight then was 124 Kg and now after 5 months I am down to 116 Kg - Not a great loss but my belt has come in 15 cm - The last month has been a little disappointing as the weight has now stablized since the start of the hot weather - I hear muscle is more dense than fat so heres hoping that is the reason the weight seems to have plateaued. I am lucky that I have an opportunity to put in up to 6,000 steps most days at work - This means that I need another 30-40 minutes special effort to get to 10,000 - I was doing this at lunch time but am now finding it too hot and sweaty to go back to work. Now with the start of Daylight saving I will have to find time after I get home from work. Last month my partner and I started to attend Rock & Roll classes and that must be helping with the general fitness and flexibility - What's more it is fun. I feel let down if there is no steps and I have to take an elevator or lift - I have come to love steps (a few at a time anyway) In the 5 months since I started on the program I am averaging just on 10,000 steps per day and am up to 1.6 million - That is 1,280 Klm. I got a couple of workmates to join me in a team (to help keep me motivated) and we are now taking the virtual walk around Queensland - Out West of Cunnamulla at present and it is getting hot out here. So guys - the program works - keep at it Regards Peter Tweed Heads ”

A few months ago,

“A few months ago, I was determined to establish an excercise routine. Primarily, I was not to keen for a "full on" excercise. But now, I am a "yank" who has cranked up some serious steps and a bit more toned. There is a moderate weight loss. The lesson learned that is to start with something small, keep the focus and push yourself more. In other words, my "battle of the bulge" is now more a full on assault to loose some more weight. Thank you and blessings upon those who read this. You can win and conquer what has conquered you. That is the attitudes, habbits and lifestyle choices that has weighed us down. Liberate, Lessen and Love urself full on, CTC Randy ”

My name is Theresa

“My name is Theresa & this is the second time I've written into this site, but this time I've had some adversity to face and a personal crisis to cope with. I'm really feeling the pressure and I need to share these thoughts with others who read this, as I know life for them too, isnt perfect. When my world first 'fell apart' two weeks ago, the first thing I felt I needed when my stomach was able to handle food was comfort food. My good habits temporarily went astray, but not for long. Self preservation kicked in and I knew that if I didnt take care of my health, I would only feel worse in the long run and I couldnt imagine that. So now even if I dont do much else, I try to always kick in at least 10000 steps daily. Nice long walks in new places just feeling the wind of my face and hearing Gods voice in my soul. Walking, more than anything has been my way of 'coping' with a dark time of my life. I'm so glad I got into the habit before, so it was only second nature now, when the chips were down. I've been having my share of 'glug'food, not a lot, just enough to make me feel better...But tomorrows another day and the sun will rise again. I encourage all my brothers and sisters out there to remember that we are all human and dont all have 'perfect' lives....But no matter what happens we must all look after our health, because thats one of the few things that we do have control over...... ”

I am so happy

“I am so happy that I discovered this site. In June of 2004 I had surgery to reconstruct my knee after an accident and my weight of 95kg's sure wasn't helping my knee to get any better. I also have a very bad back so I decided that I just couldn't do exersice anymore....cause golly, I had an excuse. How wrong and unhappy was I !!! I found this site and I just headed out the front door to do a little bit of a walk...for about 3 months I just walked gradually increasing distances, and guess what? I discovered that it was actually fun to go walking, I have met lots of lovely people (and dogs) and I have even discovered how beautiful a sunrise is over our beach. I also swim and bike ride and I have discovered that i am actually very good in the garden now too...I have my very first vege patch. I have friends from interstate that haven't seen me for 12 months and they are amazed at the changes. I am now proud to say that I weigh 70kg instead of 95kg's and I feel great. My doctors and I have cut my pain medication by over half and I have stopped taking all other medications that I have been taking for years and was told that I would have to take for the rest of my life. I am only 46 years young but just over 12 months ago I felt like I was 80 years old and I was depressed with my pain, with my weight, with what image I projected to others, I was never happy and now I just feel great. I still want to lose another 3-5 kg's but that is not going to be hard at all and being 5' 11" tall I am not really carrying too much weight now. I swear to you that dieting is not the way to go...start walking and just eat healthy and don't say no to a treat once a week. Thank you so much to the 10,000 step program because you have helped me to change my life. Dee Cook Lennox Head NSW ”

Deb from Sydney,--Well I

“Deb from Sydney, Well I have only been married about four months, and have become my heaviest weight ever - not good, since the clothes start to get too tight, but my sister had been walking with the programme and was at what my weight used to be. I started and with lots of encouragement - dare I say competition - (seeing who was the "winner" each day) - I have lost the first four kg. Am back down to 58 kg and only have a couple of kg to go. I just love how easy this is and how it can be just a personal thing, or a bit competetive (with the skinny sister)(SHE PAID ME TO SAY THAT!!) Thanks - oh and my Preschoolers have become my personal trainers. "Deb walk around the table, No walk around three times. Now what are your numbers??" They are learning about numbers and distance, and love it when I get to the really BIG numbers like 8000, and I get the big "WOW!!" Thanks so much!! ”

Hi,--This year I went

“Hi, This year I went over the 200kg mark and I am on my way down now thanks to Weight Watchers. I have not exercised as such but have increased my activity levels at home and go to the shops just to walk around. Anyone out there who started off like me and finds walking hard on their knees? My email is bbwmummy@iprimus.com.au ”

Just started today, am

“Just started today, am planning to make one million steps by the end of Feb 2006. Hopefully a few kilos will go along the way. Let's see! W ”

I have reached my

“I have reached my million steps and am heading towards my second. I continue to read others stories on their road to their million. I have found that continuing with this program and reading others stories is a great momentum to continue with my exercise program. To read of the hardships of others, and to find that this program has helped them is wonderful so keep stepping everybody, and reach that milestone and many more Linda ”

I started stepping on

“I started stepping on 1 September 2005 after moving back to my home town. So far I have managed to acheive 434959 and averaged 12082 steps per day. I am the sort of person that will hapily procrastinate when it comes to exercise and up until september was really good at justifying to myself that it was o.k. to sit around and do nothing for 101 excuses. I have found the program keeps me motivated to keep exercising and active even on days when I am less than enthusiastic. Since September, I feel great and have lost just under 4kg of the 10 I want to lose before my wedding. Thank you 10000 steps for keeping me motivated and giving me a great positive outlook on activity and life. ”

To start off....I HATE

“To start off....I HATE EXERCISE!! But.....when I heard this program on our local talkback radio...for some reason...it inspired me to do something to get fit. I have just turned 60 years of age, at the top of my weight range, wear a size 12, but do not wish to go any higher. I have slightly high blood pressure but other than that I am pretty good for my age. I love life, have no aches and pains and would give the average 25 year old a run for their money, lol. So here I am ...I have today, got 930,000 steps up and will hit the 1,000,000 mark very soon, whoopee!! Started my program in late May and have, for the first time in my life, stuck to my daily walking routine. I feel great and have so much more energy since starting walking. Hubby is also walking with me plus doing lots of walking on his two days of golf. I also have joined a Tuesday walking group where we walk through the local shopping mall before it opens for business. I have now made a new group of friends of my own age who are also keen on staying fit and well as they go into their older years. :) Keep on walkin' everyone ”

I'm also in the

“I'm also in the new Monash challenge, and looking forward to being on the WINNING team! Sorry, no time to talk, I've got to get back out there and walking... Good luck everyone, SAM BERRINGER. ”

This program is fantastic!

“This program is fantastic! I was in one of the challenges at Monash University last year and really enjoyed myself. So I joined up again for the new challenge, and already (after only three days) I am feeling the benefits. I wore my pedometer to the gym today and racked up 6,000 steps in only one hour! Good luck to all of the other Monash people in this new challenge. ”

Trim, Fit and Healthy

“Trim, Fit and Healthy by 30 That's my goal. I started logging steps in June of 2005. In the time since I have logged 660,000 steps plus!!! In the begining it was hard. And most days I would rather lay around and watch TV with my kids then walk. In July I turned 28. I did some figuring and found out that if I worked very hard I could loose 160 lbs by the time I turned 30. I have been faithfull untill the last two weeks (a sinus infection and sprained ankle sidelined me!) but I realise that its OK to start over again at any time! I have lost almost 30 pounds since June!!! I started playing soccer with my 8 year old son. And it just breaks my heart to think of all the time I missed with him because I "couldnt" walk with him! And he is now the best player on his team because of all the practice I have done with him! Soccer is a GREAT way to get steps!!!! Good luck all you guys and keep up the hard work! Jenn monsterbabys3mom@yahoo.com ”

Hi my name is

“Hi my name is Gail, I have lived in Yeppoon for the last 11 years (this time). 12 mths ago i joined Weight Watchers. as being 130 kg i need to something for my health. As even walking was a chore, I loged on to this wonderful web site to get some motivation with walking but on the 11th of August 05 I started to log my steps and I have now loged 465304 steps I now walk down the Beach and have lost 38.2 kg I feel GREAT and I don't feel that every body is staring at me. I plan to keep going to my goal and to Keep on Walking I put on my music and no matter how i feel i make the commitment to walk after work each day. Thank you to the steps program for this web site for the motivation that it gives me to keep on walking. ”

In February 2004 (when

“In February 2004 (when I was 47yo)I was 120 kilo. I knew this was rediculous, but I knew nothing of diets, calories or the like. So what I did was I decided to check what amount of Fat intake a person of rather inactive habits such as myself should limit myself to. I checked several sites on the web, and found that most recommended that it be between 40 - 45g per day. So I set about setting myself up a diet that would allow me to take up to only 35 to 40g per day. I was amazed how much this allowed me to eat and still lose weight. By June 2004 I was down to 96 kilo, but to lose more I knew I needed to start exercising. So I started a daily walking plan. 30 - 45 mins per day and making it as brisk as I could. The times remained the same, but the distances I covered increased and again the kilos fell off me. By December 04 I was down to 86 kilo and that is where I am happy - all I do now is maintain the weight by eating right and continue my walking exercise plan. Now all of this did not mean I didn't allow myself to have the occasional pizza or chocolate, it just meant that when I did have that pizza, I returned to the proper diet the next day. I found the cravings for the bad stuff disappeared and that even my taste changed - for example, potato crisps - I can no longer eat too many as they taste far too fatty to me, and this change of taste contributed greatly in stopping any urge or need for snacks. My waistline of 116cm (46ins) decreased to 93cm (36ins). A waitline I have not seen since I was in my 20s and I am now a 49yo. I have managed to keep my weight between 83 to 86kilos for over a year. My Doctor has taken me off my blood pressure medication and is extremely pleased with my efforts and health. By keeping to my sensible diet (on the most part) and joining the 10,000 step program I find I am able to maintain my weight and health so very easily. And people notice the difference - its great! ”