I’m sure you’ve heard the advice to take 10,000 steps a day. It’s recommended for health, weight loss and management, and just all around good for you. But once I committed to this challenge, I kind of started to wonder why 10,000? I mean, where did that number come from? Why so many? Why not 8,000 or 13,500? Is there fact to support this fitness foundation?
(I don’t know about you, but knowing the back story always makes me feel more prepared to move forward. Like the whys hold the secret of success.)
Apparently there is.
I’ve done a little research. The recommendation originated in Japan, and while it might’ve been a marketing ploy to sell more pedometers (according to this), the claim made scientists world wide jump into the research to see what the magic number of steps really is. These days, 10,000 steps is considered to be the amount of steps an active person takes, and it’s recommended by the American Heart Association for heart health and lower blood pressure.
And I found this study shared by my friends at Greatist. It found that when employers gave their employees pedometers, they took more steps. And the physical activity made them healthier, happier, and more productive.
That many steps is about 5 miles, depending on stride length, which is many more than sitting on the couch will get you. It’s even more than simple day-to-day activity. That many steps ensures that you’re paying close attention to your activity levels, that you’re aware of how much you walk and how far you go, and that you are conscious of how your body is moving, feeling, and functioning.
Since watching my steps closely, I’ve realized that 10,000 steps is more than most people take. And I wasn’t taking nearly enough steps before, even if I felt like I was. But yesterday, I got so close to my goal, that I’m even more motivated and excited to get moving today.
How are you motivating yourself to get moving?
I’ve been wearing a pedometer for about 10 years. My average steps was around 6,000. I got a new pedometer recently that allows me to compete with others. Now I’m up to an average of 12,000 a day. I motivate myself with competition and it works GREAT! One day my friend and I were neck and neck all day. I ended up winning but I had to take 21,000 steps to do it. I don’t know if I’ll do that again. I was EXHAUSTED!!! But I love wearing a pedometer and it definitely motivates me to move more.
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Woah Patty. 12,000 is so impressive! But good for you for recognizing that you’re motivated by competition.
I hit 21,000 last summer at BlogHer, and I know that exhaustion. But it was mixed with quite a bit of pride too!
Clarissa Mitchell says
I shoot for 10K steps on the 5 days a week that I am at work. It usually means walking all the way to my parking space to my office and all the way back - instead of taking the train to my office. (I work at the Atlanta airport.)
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I walk between 15k and 17k a day for work. Sunday’s I normally hit 20k as I do chores before my work shift. It’s really illustrated I need to watch my consumption as I am getting the exercise in, but not really burning through the calories each day.
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FRANK BALIN says
I started my 10,000 step program in August 2008 and still at it. My pedometer allows me to do a print out for my doctor as they are always suspicious of patients claims. I walk six days a week and closing in on the 8,000 mile mark. I was at it seven days a week decided it best to back off did not want to get burned out.
Kimberly says
I found your blog post looking up why everyone recommends 10,000 steps a day. I was curious too. I recently bought a fitbit and I average 21,000 steps everyday.
WOW. KEEP UP THE GOOD STEPS!