To think I CAN do this walking challenge in 2026... 7 million steps

[HippopotamusForChristmas]

I'm a pretty regular walker, I did 4.5 million this year. So I'm challenging myself to 7 million for 2026 and there's a £50 bet on this! Just under 135k steps per week.

No more slobby non wash TV Sundays
Walking pad ordered for home... can even use it when I'm in my dressing gown waiting for my hash browns to cook
Going for a 15 minute stroll on lunch breaks
10/15 mile walks on non working days (Fridays and Saturdays. This isn't unusual for me).

This isn't out of reach is it?!

Merry Christmas ❤️

Agreed that it doesn’t sound particularly pleasant. I did 20000 yesterday but ONLY because my children with my ex and my lunch plans with a friend had fallen through due to her being ill. So I took the dog on two long walks. However usually - no way because I’d have been busy.

However I get the impression @HippopotamusForChristmas lives alone, WFH and who knows - maybe is the old mumsnet favourite of being an “introvert”… so if walking gets her out and about, that can only be a positive ?

Currently averaging 16-17k steps a day so on track for 6 million. And that’s with me having a dog and walking to work and being. Runner 3x a week! Are you on track @HippopotamusForChristmas ?

What’s your number at @HippopotamusForChristmas ??

Funny that this thread has just popped up again. I was just looking at my total so far this year. I’m currently at just over 5 million.
How are you doing @HippopotamusForChristmas?

What does that average out as a day @SparklyStrictly25 ?

@Gymthenbrek Average 20,000 per day.

I often walk 20 -25k steps a day but I certainly couldn’t commit to doing it every day. It’s very time consuming, for one thing, and I definitely wouldn’t do it in the rain. If you miss even a few days it will be almost impossible to catch up.

My current total is 4.27 million. I should get at least 6 million this year.
Average is 18.5k a day. My job is fully wfh now so I've turned into one of those people who have to go up and down the stairs a few times if I've not reached my target by bedtime.

What happened to this thread??

What type of work for you do? If you do work

What do you mean?

It is still ongoing! Admittedly @HippopotamusForChristmas hadnt been back but no doubt that’s because the challenge fell by the wayside!

I’d forgotten about this thread! I’m on 3.7million so far, so that’s way behind some of you but still sounds ok! I’m trying to get to 16k most days

Oh my god I forgot all about this and when it popped up on TIO I wondered if I had irrationally decided to join in! Pleased to check back and I didn’t 😂
bur well done to everyone who has given it a good go, I still do love walking but the challenge still feels a little mercenary to me!

I don’t think you mean “mercenary”

I think you’re right and I can’t put my finger on what word I did mean!! Is mercenary offensive?! If it is I’ll ask to remove my post, I can’t think what word I mean and hope
i haven’t used something totally awful in its place, it certainly wasn’t intentional if so!!!

It is a word you’d use if someone was focussed squarely on getting financial gain

No one is paying me for my steps sadly.

Aren't the NHS doing some kind of reward thing next year though?

Mechanical? A chore?
I know what you mean, “getting my steps in” means I focus on the target sometimes rather than enjoying a nice walk.
I can’t deny I am very target driven though so I love the challenge…

Did you mean “joyless” perhaps?

I didn’t mean mechanical or joyless but I do think it’s both of those things!
Oh god why can’t I think of what I mean 🫣
Yes though to more of a chore - I mean I do enjoy a nice walk and walk somewhere every day but not for an arbitrary number of steps.
Maybe I meant arbitrary…
Anyway, walking is very good and I don’t mean to sound disparaging, I encourage movement and exercise so if you’re enjoying it crack on and keep going!