Member Stories

Two things I can't

“Two things I can't live without - my pedometer and 10000steps.org.au The pedometer is like second skin and I've actually turned the car around to go back and pick it from home or a public restroom :) I joined April 22, 2007 and I'm working on 5 million steps. Blood pressure has fallen dramatically and so have my cholesterol levels. All of that is on the inside - I look pretty good on the outside too - lost "belly fat", weight and toned the legs. I'm the mother of 4 grown sons and 10 grandchildren. Thanks so much for your site. Toni Knoxville, TN USA”

I started on the

“I started on the 10,000 steps in January and 6 months later I'm still walking on this program.I'm well on the way to 3 million steps now and try to walk at least 12,000 steps a day although some days I walk less so I try to amke up other days with more steps. It's very motivating and I clip on my pedometer first thing each morning. Keep on stepping.It's fun, healthy and free.”

I joined 10,000 Steps

“I joined 10,000 Steps on the 25th June 2008, by encouragement of my friend Darren. He seemed so interested and so fit, compared to my status of being overweight. Darren guided me and convinced me to walk everyday and log my steps... thanks a lot to him. Rene”

Hi, I'm Pam.

“Hi, I'm Pam. I'm 74 and because I don't have a car, I walk everywhere. My weight has been stuck at 85 kilos forever, and when I got a new accelerator pedometer last week, I found out I wasn't as active as I thought I was. So I'm getting into action, and feel better already. Yesterday I did a 7KM early morning walk and worked out with a Walk It Off With George (Foreman) DVD. Checking in with the daily step count is making a difference, because I feel in control.....putting in the work. And the I-Challenge is great. Today I didn't quite make my target of 15,000 steps, but tomorrow's another day. I'm fed up with looking like a pregnant hippopotamus or a beached whale.... this time I'm committed to losing the flab and getting fit. Pam.”

My story really begins

“My story really begins nineteen years ago when I was in the back seat of a car accident. Then was very physically fit which helped in re-learning walking and talking again. My weight has fluctuated since then in a gradual weight gain. Now not being as fit as when younger and driving about have included walking as a daily activity. Having just started this 10,000 steps am still striving to reach that but know will be achieved.”

When I'm stuck in

“When I'm stuck in the office for the day, I like to get up for 5 mins every hour or so and go for a walk around the block. You will be surprised that you can add a couple of thousand steps to you daily total. Bern”

Hi, My name is

“Hi, My name is Janette and I am currently 40 (41 in a month). I had my 2nd child 2 days before I turned 39. So I have a nearly 2 yr old and a 17 yr old. I've found it difficult to lose weight since my 2nd child and according to my BMI I am overweight. I work in an office so don't do too much through the day. Although, just walking around the house getting ready in the mornings I do 700 steps and by the time I get to work after dropping children off I've done 1700 steps. It's fun to check it all out. I have a treadmill at home and a small gym area with free weights etc. On the days I do 30 mins on treadmill and some weights and add that to my daily steps it adds up to 10,000 easily and may go over. When I don't do that it is quite difficult to get the 10,000 steps although I've worked out if I go for even a small walk at lunch time it helps greatly. I've enjoyed working out what exactly I have to do to get my steps up and feel so much better for it. Sometimes I go the long way around the office to get to other areas I need to so that helps too. Happy Stepping.”

I walk to work,

“I walk to work, I walk to the supermarket, when I go to the footy at every break I go for a walk! I hardly sit still and I feel much better for it. Where there is a will there is a way! ”

WOW Jayne! That's a

“WOW Jayne! That's a tricky one...do you have breaks when at work? If you do, could you spend some of your break walking in a hospital court yard or around the block (or even in the tea room walking on the spot). I find it difficult at work because I work in an office so when I get home I do steps while watching TV or talking on the phone (I put it on speaker and rest it on a high bench). Not sure if any of this helps but I thought I'd try. Good luck - cheers M. Stehn Vic.”

Hi my name is

“Hi my name is Jayne, and I turn 48 next week. I had my 2nd child at 44 years of age and have found it difficult to lose the weight and to get fit enough to keep up with 2 very active children. I work as a nurse in a coronary intensive care ward, and all too often see young people in thier 30's who have had coronary's and had to change their lifestyles. It was enough to motivate me to change my lifestyle, as I want to be around for my beautiful children. I am lucky enough to live in a beautiful part of the world, and I go for my walks as often as i can on the beach.(I see whales and dolphins, koalas and goannas). It is my time, and not only is it great physically but it is relaxing and I know my stress levels are reduced greatly. I do have one problem, and that is to do 12 hour shifts and if I have a ventilated patient I do as little as 100 steps for a day, and with family committments I am unable to do any extra on that particular day. My average steps are 9,816 which is made up on the days I don't work. Has anyone got any ideas to help me increase my steps? Love to hear from you. Jayne”

Since starting the 10000

“Since starting the 10000 steps home page i have loved being able to see just how many steps i do each day and i love trying to beat it everyday. I find extra ways to add more steps or physical activity in the smallest ways. In the morning instead of putting on the tv i put on my fav dance cd and find myself dancing through breakfast to the bathroom and then out the door. Who said this couldn't be fun?? ”

Well May should have

“Well May should have been a good month being my birth month and all, but fate stepped in, my dad has cancer, I lost my stepper and my motivation in there somewhere. I hope that June can be a turn around both for dad and me!!!! Well all, here is to health, life and the future!!!! Keep on stepping!!!! Kath”

GO SARAH !!! You

“GO SARAH !!! You make me feel like going out there and walking up a storm right now! (George)”

Hi, my name is

“Hi, my name is Sarah and I have decided that enough is enough! I am here to make permanent changes to my lifestyle and I am combining the 10,000 step challenge with a health eating program from Weight Watchers. I have twenty kilos to lose and I am determined to move the weight by this Christmas. I have set myself a goal of no less than 10,000 steps a day and I am intent on remaining committed to myself and my goal. Come rain, hail or shine I will be pounding the pavement (or treadmill) and I look forward to this virtual journey with the rest of you. ”

Well when I first

“Well when I first started walking I wasn't at all excited about it, getting up in the mornings and eating healthy, but once one of my friends started to do it I was happy to do it with someone and I just love it. I do it every morning and I just enjoy waking up and going for a walk it makes my day feel relaxed and I just love going to work as soon as I finish!”

Hello to an amazing

“Hello to an amazing number of happy steppers. I'm a mother of 4 teens in rural NSW and got my pedometer last week. I'm currently off work caring for my terminally ill brother in his final stages of life. Walking keeps me looking forward and not dwelling on illness and fit to care. The pedometer has spurred me on to stay active all day not retreat to bed when I feel overwhelmed. Housework adds steadily to the total, so there's a reason to keep doing it all day!”

Hello to everyone!

“Hello to everyone! I joined this wonderful site about 3 weeks ago along with my 3 children. I wanted to encourage and teach them life long healthy habits and this has been a great motivator for us all as we track our steps & activities! Being in Canada, we are starting to enjoy the spring/summer weather and I look forward to many outdoor adventures this year!”

Hello fellow steppers!-I arrived

“Hello fellow steppers! I arrived here from NZ 3 weeks ago (don't hold that against me - I'm originally from Scotland!!) to join my partner who has been working here for just over a year. I left my job after teaching for 20 years, my 2 daughters and 4 grandchildren, my other family members and all my wonderful friends. On Sunday I found out about this programme after visiting the Botanical Gardens. I got a pedometer on Tuesday and off I went yesterday. I did an amazing 10788 steps (mainly because I got very lost!!) I feel I now have some new "friends" already after reading others' stories. What a great programme this is. Regards Jacqueline”

Hi fellow steppers-I joined

“Hi fellow steppers I joined the 10,000 step challenge seven weeks ago when I sold the car to force me to walk. I am loving the exercise, have saved money, have met people on the train, have read five books, have lost more weight than 12 months at the gym and generally feel a whole lot better. Kate... Blue Mountains ”

I started counting my

“I started counting my steps in August 2007. I was feeling down dealing with my husbands health problems (cancer twice in 12mths.) Not only did I start feeling much better but I lost weight as well. My husband got well and for some reason I stopped wearing my pedometer. Today is my first day back. Thanks to all who share their stories, you are what have inspired me to get back on track. Jean ”

I am 21 and

“I am 21 and today is day 24 of walking for me with my pedometor. So far not counting today's steps I have walked 225,608 steps. It says I am averaging 16,115 steps a day ... I do walk a bit but I'm pretty sure I wasn't doing 10,000 a day... I am going to try and beat each weeks steps even if it's by only ONE step :) My mum is my walking buddy she only started here 2 days ago. Lisa”

Wow Steve, you are

“Wow Steve, you are an inspiration. I will try to build my steps up more as I am only averageing 11,000 at this stage. I really need to monitor my food/calory intake too - at this stage I have just been focusing on the steps, but will add the calorie count to the mix and try to up the amount of steps every day. You are your own 'Biggest Loser' - you should write in and share your story to Slimming and Health magazine - they (and readers) would love to read it. Cheers M Stehn (Michelle)”

Wow Steve - your

“Wow Steve - your story is simply amazing, thanks for sharing it. Did you alter your food intake or diet in any way? Hope I can follow your example. Cheers M. Stehn”

Hi M.Sten.-Yes diet intake

“Hi M.Sten. Yes diet intake is around a strict 1650-1850 calories, 28,000 steps = around a burn of 1600 calories and my body functions takes care of the rest, making my intake on average minus 200-400 calories per day = weight loss. Try walking for 75 minutes see how many steps you make in that time, then push yourself a bit more each time. 10,000 steps can be done in that time. Good luck hope this info helps. Ps. My age is 48 yrs old and feeling fantastic. Cheers Steve.”

Hi fellow steppers, my

“Hi fellow steppers, my name is Steve and I found this site in October 2007. In October I weighed in at 112kg and couldn't walk more than 50 meters. Started logging steps with my pedometer and increased my steps very quickly. Started at 4,500 steps, it has been now 6 months and now stepping around average of 28,000 steps and now weigh in at 88kg, who needs Biggest Loser when I have walked off almost as much weight as they have for the same amount of time. My girlfreind now calls me skinny man. By using this site and the motivation of being unsatisfied with myself has changed my life for good. This site, focus and sheer detemination proves that goals can be achieved if you really want it. 6 months, 88kg, 5 million steps = wow. If I can do this, anyone can. Good luck with your goals, keep stepping. Steve.”