Member Stories

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! ”

Hi Everyone! My name

“Hi Everyone! My name is Therese,and I'm 50 years 'young' and have just found this website.I've been watching my steps since January 05, and I have decided to take control of my life and not let life control me! Since then I have lost 7kgs, 34cms off my body size.My blood pressure, cholesterol and anxiety levels have all dropped too. I walk on my own most of the time and have included a one hour walk 'most' days. I try to include my walking as part of my daily lifestyle just like brushing my hair.Exercising 3-4 times doesnt work too well for me, as being a creature of habit, I need to exercise daily to adapt to it. I walk rain, hail or shine, literally! My small back pack carries mobile phone, tissues, keys,sm fold up umbrella,$2 coin,& hand held tape recorder and 'dog deterrent'( a small ultrasonic hand held device that dogs dont like) a precaution against loose dogs, just in case!I always plan my days around my walks, not vice versa. Sometimes I walk with my partner and we discuss things that we never would if at home. But most of the time its me and GOD. Walking has a bonus benefit of clearing my mind as well as the excess toxins out of my body! I'm planning to start up a group so that we can 'walk around Australia in steps', to raise money for a worthy cause! Enjoy your life, its the only one you'll have.... ”

Yahoo! I've done it

“Yahoo! I've done it I have made the magic million, now onto the next million. I feel better for keeping this up and I am so glad I did this to get me back into the swing of doing exercise. Keep stepping everyone, you will feel so much better for doing it both physically and mentally. Keep stepping Linda xx ”

YEEHAR-I've logged up a

“YEEHAR I've logged up a million steps today. a million steps in 61 days, I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself. my story:- I played amateur football until i was 32, and only quit then because of knee ligament damage. So for the last 19 years ive lead a fairly sedantry life. Anyway last October i was looking in the mirror and there staring back at me was my deceased grandfathers belly. you will know this belly, it was made famous in the sad sack cartoons. so the time to do something about my lifestyle had come and being someone who has to eat when hungry dieting was not an option. I started walking 25 minutes every morning. That grew out to 40 minutes and now has escalated to an hour in which in which I walk 7 kilometers. The only days I dont walk are the wet days or mornings if I've had to go into work in the middle of the night because the alarms gone off. luckily this month has been dry, that made the million logged steps in the two months possible. I also have an aversion to being cold and wondered if my enthusiasm would wane once winter came. luckily I found the 10,000 steps site on may 30 and began logging the next day. Now 9 months on I'm 11kg lighter hardly any tummy left and I've only made minor concessions to my eating habits and I feel great. Thankyou to the 10,000 steps people and those of you who submitted your stories your inspiration has made the journey so much easier. One of my sons is talking of walking the bibblumum track. That may become my next focus. Good luck to you all BRENDAN JOYCE ”

hooray I have reached

“hooray I have reached the three quarter mark wow I am pleased with myself. Soon I will reach the big one the one million that will be a good day. So come on steppers lets all get there. KEEP STEPPING EVERYONE Linda x ”

Hi! My name

“Hi! My name is Theresa and I began a NEW WAY of life in January 2005. I must admit that this journey involves God...as He has kept me faithful and has made this journey a joy to participate in! I have enjoyed His presence daily on the treadmill, which has taken the "PAIN" out of exercise for me! To date, I have logged my exercise and have lost a total of 65 pounds (29.5Kg). My goal was to reach my marriage size and I did it! I want to thank the 10,000 steps organization SO MUCH for creating this web-page journal. I have visited your page once a day and have logged my exercise path...which has helped me see steady progress and kept me ON TRACK... My plan is to continue exactly what I am doing and live a life FREE from FAT!!!! I am in terrific shape and have more confidence than ever!!!! If you are just beginning, or in progress, KEEP IT UP!!!! YOU WILL GET THERE TOO!!!! I have FAITH in you!!!! ”

Hello all you steppers-I

“Hello all you steppers I am very proud of myself as I have reached the half way mark, makes me all the more determined to get to the big one. Reading some of the other stories also gives me the energy to keep stepping out and reaching that ten thousand step mark everyday, some days I feel it is a little difficult than I think it is my benefit to make it, then I do. Keep stepping everyone you are the one that benefits at the end linda xx ”

Warm greetings from Taiwan

“Warm greetings from Taiwan to all 10000 steps walkers! You are all very much encouraged to adopt this most natural, positive, and cheapest way of healthy lifestyle. While we all enjoy the benefits of walking, please don't forget to encourage as many sedentary people around as possible to join us so as to see 10000-step per day a global health movement soon in the future. Let us work together and walk everywhere! Clark (from Taipei, Taiwan) Email: t08002@cc.ntnu.edu.tw ”

I am 45 and

“I am 45 and have always loved walking, but 4 years ago I hurt my ankle quite badly and it took 2 years of therapy and an operation before I got the ok to walk again. I had put on more than 15 kilos in this time, so first weight off - done. Been trying to walk at least 4 kms three times a week, then work joined the 10,000 steps and this encouraged me to be more active. My average to date is now 9850 per day. My best day is over 16000. I am planning a 20km walk next weekend - look out average. ”

I am a committed

“I am a committed walker and thoroughly enjoy my exercise each day. I have been using a pedometer for the last 6-8 months and find that it really spurs me on to keep active. It is really motivating to see how much you can do in a day. Apart from my walking I am also trying to lead a healthier lifestyle and get those extra kilos off. ”

Hi there all you

“Hi there all you steppers. I have been a stepper for 3 years, but have only just joined the 10,000 steps program. I was diagnosed with diabetes 11 and high blood pressure and rising cholesterol at that time. So I purchased a stepper from the diabetes association then and started stepping. I had everthing under control until May last year when I slipped and damaged my hamstring, that pulled up my walking for a while, then in January this year I had major surgery so my stepping has been knocked again. I have joined the stepping program to give myself an incentive to keep bettering my stepping and get myself back on track, and it is working. I am glad I have found this site and pleased with myself for joining. SO GET STEPPING EVERYONE CONGRATULATIONS LINDA X ”

my goal for the

“my goal for the year was to do 1000000steps over my normal activity. my legs aren't the best, so doing 10000steps a day is hard. i started in january, before i even heard about your program. i have logged in over 500000steps unofficially, and over 200000steps since starting your program. good luck to everyone, and keep me in your thoughts. maureen t. ”

hi all I am

“hi all I am a 66yrs young senior but I do suffer from Osteo-Atherities I do try to to the 10000 steps daily sometimes I can do up to 16000 steps at least once a week I find it very hard to lose weight but by doing the steps programme I find I am not putting on weight which is terrific I live in Queensland with my husband and daughter and grandson I also do Tap Dancing 3 times weekly for 3 hrs so that helps with my steps as well Hope everyone keeps well and motivated Annie ”

Hi I live in

“Hi I live in the U.S.A. I am a month away from my 49th birthday. I am a former professional athlete, that loves food. I found myself 2 years ago feeling very out of shape and quite sluggish. My blood pressure had reached 150/84 and my weight was 230 pounds. I am 6'3". I decided I was going to walk 6 miles every morning at the very least. To make a long story short, I have now logged over 4,000 mile. I weigh 192, and my blood pressure is down to 120/60!!! I feel like I am 20, and have the energy level of a 20 year old. I eat healthy 6 days a week, but every Sunday I eat whatever I want in any quantity I want, so I am never more than 6 days away from any food I like, I have given up nothing!!!! That I find is the secret! ”

My husband and i

“My husband and i try to walk every morning for 60 mins, but it is getting harder in these cold mornings. So i now i say to myself if i really do not want to get up just get up get dressed put my walking shoes on and if after all of that i still do not want to walk dont walk. So far this has worked every morning even at 4.30 am when it is freezing. Both my husband and i are type 2 diabetics and know that aiming for 10,000 steps is going to improve our health. So far we are walking 5 days a week before work.”

I was feeling so

“I was feeling so un motivated and frumpy realising I needed to lose at least 10 pounds when I looked at myself sideways in the mirror. As I sit all day in front of a computer I achieve little, if any physical acitivity and I feel so tired when I get home to go for a walk. I started a program of jogging on the spot for about 3 minutes at least every hour and then go for a short walk at lunch time. It helps in these cold winter days and also gets you all energised. (not to mention warming you up at the same time). Just on the weekend I discovered 10,000 steps in the newspaper and was so thrilled - at last a free fitness program that can definately help me achieve what I want to achieve and at the same time keep me motivated. Well Done 10,000 Steps!! ”

I started with my

“I started with my pedometer on May 2nd. I have about 25 pounds to lose and so far I have dropped 12...only 13 more to go. In addition to a low carb diet, the 10,000 steps a day has kept me motivated to get the exercise I need. I thought I walked a lot during the day, but when I started wearing the pedometer I saw how little I really did walk. I go about 2.5 to 3 miles in the mornings, get whatever I can during the day...including walking around and around in the house at lunch when I am waiting for the microwave to finish. I then finish up whatever remaining steps I need in the evening after it cools down a bit. ”

I bought my pedometer

“I bought my pedometer about a month ago and I've already noticed a difference in my motivation, fitness and physical appearance. I was actually presently surprised at how many steps/kms I did when I worked during the week but was shocked at how little I did on the weekends. With the help of the pedometer, I now aim for at least 10,000-11,000 per day (including weekends) and I'm on the road to a better, healthier lifestyle…(and I’m already feeling the benefits!). 10,000 steps has given me the motivation to set goals and REALLY achieve them...and the website logbook is a really helpful tool to boot. ”

I have had a

“I have had a problem with my weight since I ended my cancer treatments 3 years ago. Endless health problems stemming from radiation treatments have worn my body down. But, I keep persevering. I have heard a lot of using a pedometer in gaging how many steps you get in a day and I've been trying to see if I could meet this goal. I walk everyday at lunchtime (at least 1 hour) and then work out with Gilad exercise tapes. I will look down occasionally at the pedometer and am amazed at how the walking adds up. At my office, I see very little movement as I'm chained to my desk (LOL). Once I leave this building my steps increase and I take off!! I am very excited about the chance to incorporate this into my exercise, too. ”

Yippee!! The 10

“Yippee!! The 10 000 steps challenge is helping to achieve my goal of becoming fitter this year. I have done my first Fit Walk - I did the 8km Mothers Day Classic on Sunday and did not feel exhausted at the end of the walk. This was on top of the 5km that I do every Saturday. Thank you! to QHealth for helping me become fitter. Julie R @ RCH Brisbane ”

Congratulations on a great

“Congratulations on a great program! When waiting on hold on the telephone I march on the spot or dance in time to the music. It gets your pedometer jiggling and makes the time go a little bit faster!! ”

Confessions of a Walker--I

“Confessions of a Walker I was there once, I was lean, I was fit, I'm sure there were some who said - this girl is sick, She walks and she walks and she thinks what she eats But somewhere the walker just started to sit. It was easy to slide, the excuses they flowed, Coming out from where they had been stowed. 'Too cold, too hot, too windy, too late' Sorry, this chick doesn't walk after six or is it eight. I knew it was wrong, but how do you stop? I wanted to walk, but all I did was flop. On the couch, on the bed or even the chair, My sandshoes just sat there, getting the occasional glare. 10 000 steps came, yes, I'll join a group, (Hope there are plenty who want to walk for this troop) On goes the counter - this should be great Hand on it must be broken; Ive done more than 6-0-0-8. Alas, it was true, I had become quite sedentary Sitting and not doing had become quite accustomary On went the shoes - I had to venture out The first day I felt I might be down for the count. Into week four now and I can't believe it That little counter has given me a lift Now the stairs, well they are definitely on my agenda It is now my dream once again to be fit, to be slender. So thank you 10 000 steps it is short of a miracle Of people who walk, I will no longer be satirical I'm walking again and doing my quota Now sitting all day - I couldn't give an iota. ”

Funny who you meet

“Funny who you meet walking at 5am and doing the same thing as you are in the morning isn't it...I have never felt so refreshed for the whole day since I've started walking before the sun comes up. Really gives you that extra energy..It's all so worth it!! ”

I have recently joined

“I have recently joined a gym and decided to wear my pedometer to gauge the steps walked on the treadmill and also my cycling on the exercise bike in a 1 hour visit. I achieved 6000 steps and having worn the pedometer all day, i easily reached my goal of 10,000 steps. I had previously found this very hard to achieve in a normal day but the gym has helped me reach my goal each time I go, 2 to 3 times weekly and the pedometer is a great way to monitor my workout. ”