Member Stories

Walking Everywhere

“I stayed fit through my freshman year of college by simply walking everywhere I went. During my Sophomore year of college I got a job working in a toddler room at a day care. I thought that I was staying just as active because the kids are so energetic, but as the months and years went on I noticed that I was steadily gaining weight. I purchased a pedometer and discovered that I was taking far fewer steps a day than what I thought! Now that I am more aware of my activity level I can begin making changes in my routine to assure that I am getting in those extra steps every day.”

Pushing the Stroller

“I began walking pushing the stroller with my baby girl for a few reasons. My ballooning belly was one of them. I spotted the 10,000 Steps sign so 2 days ago bought a pedometer. Since commencing 10 days ago, I have lost 3cm off my waist. I haven't weighed myself yet but very happy with the results so far. "If it can be measured, it can be improved."”

Walking After a Brain Tumor

“I have recently had a brain tumor removed and the suggested activity was walking. I need the exercise and so does my dog. I decided to join 10,000 Steps because it is an easy way to track and record progress. I very much enjoy reading the stories of others. My goal is to exceed 10,000 each day, but for now I aim for 5,000 as my surgery was only a few weeks ago. Ultimately I wish to be healthier and if I could shed weight that would be good too!”

The 10,000 Steps Idea

“I've been following a program of walking for about two weeks now. I've been on a diet since New Year losing between 1 and 2 lbs a week. Gone from 12 stone 2lbs to 10 stone 12 lbs, so feeling quite pleased with myself. But I wasn't doing any exercise, I have had a few problems with my feet. Found out more about walking and the 10,000 steps idea, I think its great. Early days yet but I'm enjoying the exercise and fitting in the walks. I'm sure I will stick at it. I like this site, seems very friendly, I'm looking forward to completing one of April's Challenges. Alan”

So Happy I Took up Walking

“ I started walking June 21, 2010 and did my first 2 million steps in 116 days so I set a goal to do my next 2 million in 84 days! 4 million steps (2000 miles in 200 days), I did it! Working on my next million steps. Have lost 41 lbs since June 2010 and I feel great!! I have 15 pounds to go to be at my ideal weight. I am so happy I took up walking and eating healthy. Love the web site. My motto is "Be Active- Eat Healthy therefore Be Healthy"”

Story from Tamworth

“Just wanting to add our story from Tamworth, we now have a group of 6 women of various height and weight. After starting this challenge we now have added two zumba sessions, which have been so much fun. We have only been doing this for the month, but we had the best time so it doesn't even feel like we are exercising because we are always laughing and debriefing our lives. I can say this is the best thing that we have done, because we all feel obligated not to let each other down.”

Walking on the Beach

“My husband and I have taken up the 10,000 Steps Challenge this year. We are members of the Gallantree, which is made up of Queensland Fire and Rescue staff, both operational and administration. I guess we have an added incentive to do the walking, as we live on the coast and every afternoon after work, we take our adorable pooch Indy for a glorious walk along our beautiful beach, which takes us about an hour. This is a great way to de-stress at the end of the work day, and breath in the beautiful sea air. Our pooch amuses us by chasing fish in the sea while we walk the beach, and she catches the odd one as well. We are certainly enjoying doing our 10,000 Steps Challenge, and find it very easy to clock up the steps.”

Preparing for Gallipoli

“I would like to share my father's story. His name is Ian. He lives in Rockhampton and has been an avid supporter of the use of a pedometer and daily walking regime for many years. On the 30th of April 2006, he commenced recording his steps in earnest to prepare for a trip to gallipoli in 2007. On the 4th May 2010, he rang me to proudly advise that he had achieved 10,000,597 planned steps (10M) and 16,002,000 (16M) total steps (which included unplanned walks using his pedometer reading), totalling 12,623km (his calculations). This is over 4 years. My Dad is an inspriation at age 83, and part of his success was to start by using the pedometer and achieving 10,000 steps a day, many years ago. Set a target or goal, and do something everyday.”

Half an Hour Walk

“I'm just starting the 10 000 Steps for this year. I know that just half an hours walk lowers my blood sugar to normal levels, and within a week I can lose 2 kilos just by adding the walk to my day. Wearing the pedometer is a great reminder to keep walking and having a group at work at you to put your steps in is a great motivator!”

My Afternoon Walks are the Best for De-Stressing

“I was having trouble lifting my steps per day as I was getting tired and short of breath. I had been a smoker for about 6 years. I quit smoking at the start of March and even though at first my shortness of breath increased causing my number of steps per day to decrease, I have started to pick up again now. I feel much better and I don't nearly pass out from shortness of breath after I run. I can actually enjoy running again. I have not been sick at all this month and I feel so good. I find out of all the exercise I'm doing, my afternoon walks are the best for de-stressing me after a busy or bad day. Exercise also keeps me motivated to not smoke.”

Walking after a Heart Operation

“I have had a heart operation and I am nervous about doing aerobic activity so I am doing 10,000 steps and this has really worked for me. I have just walked across Mississippi with three days to spare and in excess of the 343,750 steps. This web site has really made me more aware of how far I walk and I never let myself go below the 10,000. Thank you so much. This is a great idea.”

Beating my Previous Days Steps

“I bought a pedometer and then by chance found this fantastic website! I've only been counting steps for a week and a half but already I'm hooked! I love trying to beat my previous days steps. I am finding it much easier to concentrate on the steps rather than the kilos. Even if I don't beat the previous days steps, I can still see on the graph how far I have come since starting - it is a great motivational tool that graph! In a short amount of time I already feel healthier and the biggest thing I've noticed is that I sleep much better.”

Aiming for 10,000 Steps Everyday

“I got myself a pedometer which I bought in London during my recent trip there. I stayed just a fews steps from Hyde Park that triggered me to start walking. On coming back to Kuala Lumpur I stumbled into this wonderful website. Walla, I'm so pleased with my action. I stay very close to a public park with a good jogging track that surrounds a lake. Despite the fasting month, I'm able to achieve on average of 7,000 plus steps. Reading and sharing this story certainly helps me to continue with this healthy lifestyle. Being in the late 50+ I find myself transform into a newborn person. My adrenaline starts to flow again and feels good after all the hectic years of working in academia. My target is to achieve a constant 10,000 steps and beyond by end of the year.”

I Quit Smoking and Started Walking

“I stopped smoking June 2008 after 30+ years of smoking. I am 52 years old, in September I started walking and jogging. Am now averaging over 25,000 steps a day and feel better then I have since I was in my 20's. I also play tennis and swim on a regular basis, just having a pedometer on makes me conscious of my goals.”

Being Part of a Team

“At our school the teachers have taken up the Tournament, 3 teams of 11 and what a competition it's becoming. Being part of a team makes sure you don't get too lazy although some days I need to give my knees a bit of a rest. Have had a couple of slack days but planning to make up for it this weekend and enjoy the scenery out walking around the city. It is quite bizarre attaching your pedometer first thing in the morning, like putting your false teeth in! Our groundsman is cruising in with huge times because of all the walking he does in his job, although the lower school teachers are giving him a run for his money with all the chasing around they do. Our challenge is the Great Wall of China. Would love to do it for real!”

This Site Keeps Me Walking

“Hello from Mexico! It's been an amazing ride, from 2,000 to 2,500 per day I am now out around 13,000 steps. And working on the 14,000 steps per day. It takes me about an hour to do 7,000 so on a good day with a couple of hours I make 13,000-14,000. But some days I only make 4,000 because I don't have time. Still, the pedometer is part of my life and at 52 I am glad to have finished July with 13,000 steps daily. This site keeps me walking.”

One of the Best Decisions I Have Ever Made

“I joined in January 2007 and have averaged 9,095 steps a day. I will soon have my 79th birthday. I go to the gym twice a week, dance once a week and enjoy my garden. I have slipped back lately due to a tight muscle in my hip and leg. I am so pleased I joined in 2007 as my energy levels increased from when I started. I always wear my pedometer. Joining would be one of the best decisions I have ever made.”

My Dog is Happier Now Too

“My dog is so much happier now that I'm walking more. She has lost a bit of weight and I'm the same. My eating is still an issue but I'm so proud that at least I can consistantly get my 10,000 steps. Maybe the food will get better too someday.”

Walking Connects Me to the World

“For me, the best thing about walking daily is getting outside and being aware of the seasonal changes in the neighbourhood. I live in a beautiful, tree filled suburb, and I get out and walk while the streets are still very quiet early in the morning. There are subtle changes every day that become part of my street's story. This morning I smelled the wattle that has just come out. I also notice the behaviour and habits of the variety of birds that share this space. Walking connects me to the world.”

I Absolutely LOVE Entering my Daily Steps

“Before I started this 10,000 Steps program, I found that I was averaging a shocking 2,000 steps per day! My previous attitude was to park as closely as possible to wherever I was getting to, and sitting down was more comfortable than standing up, walking, and driving to get lunch. I've tried gym memberships, home gym, dance classes.. but the problem has always been lack of time between full-time work and after hours obligations. This program has changed my life. The pedometer is a great motivation tool but this website is even better! I absolutely LOVE entering my daily steps and I make a conscious decision everyday to walk around the block at work at least 4-5 times per day. I walk to get lunch and I walk while having my light wrap/sandwich roll instead of sitting down somewhere to eat. I also park further away from the shops. It is a great way to stay fit and it doesn't require too much of your time if you know how to swap "sitting around" activities with "walking around" activities.”

I Have Never Felt Better!

“I found that after high school during University my energy and stamina was greatly reduced. Long sleepless hours before deadlines and the convenience of junk food meant that my weight began to gradually increase over this time. Now I work full time and am even more sedentary than before, at least at uni I was constantly walking around campus. But 8 months ago when I moved out of home I decided to change everything. No more junk food at all! And a minimum of 30mins exercise a day. I also started Wing Chun Kung Fu so now I can kick butt and look great and have never felt better! My weight has not changed much but it is in a normal range. I also look slimmer and what used to be loose and flabby is now tight and muscled and since fat weighs less than muscle I'm not worried. I just got my pedometer today as part of a workplace challenge so I think now I am well on my way to feeling and looking great!! I’m sure recording my steps daily will be a great way to keep me motivated! It is also great to read some of the stories here and some of them have really helped to get me motivated.”

Keeping My Steps Up

“Hi All I am really loving being part of this challenge. Because I wear my pedometer all day every day I am aware of how much I have to keep moving to keep my steps up. Being office bound 5 days a week it is really important to get out at lunch time and have a walk for 2 reasons, clear the head and get some fresh air. I have ridden my bike to work again, and although it is getting cool in the morning it is such a great time to be on the bike.”

Walking and Learning!

“I have to thank 10,000 Steps for improving my general knowledge. Why? Well, I download podcasts from the ABC on topical information both national and international and listen as I walk. I often have to get out the atlas or search the internet for further information when I get home. Not only am I enjoying my walking, but improving my knowledge at the same time.”

Just Keep Walking

“I congratulate everyone who manages to reach at least 10,000 steps a day. I have been trying, but it means finding the extra time to go for walks. Like today I had not been feeling well and stayed home. I was amazed at the length of the walk I needed to take to make up for this inactivity. I was determined to make it and I eventually reached over it. I am now determined to "just keep walking".”

Reaching 10,000 Steps Before Bed

“Thank you all for your stories, I find them motivating. I found this site and a pedometer in November 2008 and was shocked at how little steps I am taking. I am studying but spend most of my time stressed about it and on the couch. I finally committed to 10,000 steps and have just finished my first month of it. YAY!! I couldn't wait to get the numbers in and see my chart. I won't go to bed if I haven't walked a minimum of 10,000 even if it means doing housework at double time or doing laps up and down my street at midnight. I am very grateful to the people who have established and continue to maintain and upgrade this site. You are all helping me keep moving and become more healthy.”