The guidelines are that we should walk 10,000 steps per day for optimal fitness. I use a treadmill most of the time simply because I live in a northern snow state which makes getting out and walking year round impossible. Usually I do 3-4 miles at a time, though I admit I was lazy this winter and really slacked off. The treadmill tells me how fast I’m going, how far, how many calories burned but not actual steps. My husband has been using a pedometer this last year and really likes it so I decided to get one for myself so I can keep track of steps and distance especially when it’s warm enough to be walking outside again.
Today is the first day since being back from last week’s travels that I was able to get on the treadmill and use my new pedometer. It was right on target for matching distance and calories burned, however I was surprised at the steps! I walked 3 miles for total steps 6,585. It takes approximately 5 miles to walk 10,000 steps (2000 steps equal one mile). My goal is to walk 10,000 steps per workout, not just for the day, though if I consistently do 4 miles a day I will be happy with that.
Nice thing about walking, you don’t need to join a gym, you need a good pair of walking/running shoes and for a woman a good sports bra and that’s about it. I highly recommend getting yourself a pedometer. They run anywhere from $5.00 up to $20.00. Bathing suit season is right around the corner… want to join me with 10,000 steps a day? Shout out to Jodi…who also is using a pedometer and we’ve been comparing laps/distance for a couple of weeks now. Keep it up GF 
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Thanks Elaine. I need all the encouragement I can get! I’ve become so lazy since the boys have left home and gained so much weight since having quit smoking in January of 2008. I was shocked the first few times I wore my pedometer after I purchased it. I wear mine all day and not just for workouts but I wasn’t even doing 5 or 6 thousand steps for the entire day at first! I’m up to around 9,000 – 13,000 now. I know there will be others who do so much more but I feel really good with the accomplishment even if I am sore as all heck! lol. Feels good to be taking control of myself again.
Good going to you too GF! We have to keep at each other so we don’t slip.
Jodi you have a lot to be proud of!! Quitting smoking (and you were a heavy smoker) in addition to how many years you smoked, you’ve done great! Giving up smoking is one of the HARDEST things a person can do. Don’t belittle your 9,000 -13,000 that’s more than a lot of people. Everything you’re doing is paying off…I’m proud of ya.
I bought a pedometer a couple of years ago. It wasn’t very accurate. Have they improved them since?
I think they are, ask Jodi too since she’s using one as well. The one I have you put in your pace, your weight and it does all the calculations. It matched the reading on the treadmill exactly so it’s definitely accurate.
Hey Liz!
This is my first pedometer so I can’t really say if they have been improved or not. This 5 dollar one I bought from wally world works pretty good though. It isn’t always 100 percent accurate but it’s really close. It takes 400 steps (and yes, I counted! lol) for me to make one lap around on our track. My pedometer is usually right on target. Mine only shows the steps and miles. It doesn’t show calories burned or anything else which is just fine by me. For me, this little gadget is very encouraging! It makes me WANT to do 10,000 steps a day.
Thanks for the info!
Yeah, and if guys don’t do it regularly, they might need a bra, too! Or is it a bro?
: )
A 6,000 step workout would probably be okay if we can make up the other 4,000 throughout the day, right? I’m going to try this during my work days and see how much I walk.
Actually there are male bras now! I saw one online shopping recently and it was a big seller. Ferd, you probably do 10,000 steps a day easily the days you are at the hospital. When I worked 12 hour shifts it was a struggle to keep weight ON because I walked so much and was always too busy to take a decent meal break. Plus I took stairs all the time instead of wasting time waiting for elevators.
Since i do not have a car I easily exceed this amount. I will say that I think walking is not enough really. I know the weight lifting I have done in addition to improving my bone density throughout my body has made my core much more stable. So I think a combination approach is probably best.
Laoch, being a city dweller I’m sure you do this. I notice too when I’m in DC how much more I walk. What I’m trying to do is get close to 10,000 steps in one walk or treadmill session (not the whole day). I know I really should be doing some weight training since I’m a middle aged female and have to worry about my bone density. There’s a new 24 hour fitness that just opened up near me, maybe I’ll check it out.
We have an elliptical at home, and I need to start using it (my daughter bought it a few years ago). That, and we have a nice weight machine too.
I’ll have to dust it though…..
LOL..well it’s starting to get nice outside, just walking in the evening is a good way to start.
I walk regularly and I’ve always wanted to have a pedometer.
I’d be curious to know just how many steps I take.