To think that 10,000 steps is a lot?

[Bluebelliphant]

I have been feeling quite pleased with myself as I've been easily smashing the recommended step amount of 2,000.

However I've just found out it's in fact 10,000. That seems a lot?

Do others manage that every day?

I'm paid to sit on my bum for 8 hours a day and have to have my car at work so can't walk. I do have to make an effort to get over 6000 steps. I average 1000 steps per 10 minute walk.

I don't watch tv in the day, I keep moving, I dance etc

That’s nice, good for you. Usually though people can’t randomly break out into a High School Musical number during the day to reach their steps. They have to do what they can, especially if they work sitting down all day (rather than watching ghastly tv instead of walking and dancing their way through the day).

It shows how unsuited modern lifestyles can be for health. I work full time at a sitting down job and commute by public transport. It’s quick and convenient. A lot of evenings and time off involve driving e.g. children’s appointments. I average 5k-6k steps. To get 10000 I’d have to spend time in targeted exercise. Obviously I should do this but it’s hard to find the time and I already don’t get enough sleep.

I think the other thing it is possible to exercise without actually doing steps. I have one day in the last week where I cycled 65 miles but only did 2.5k steps.

With a desk job it's not possible unless you go for a walk everyday.

I never get more than 7000. I just can't do it its impossible . Drive kids to school, drive to work,sit at desk with timed breaks, drive back to school pick up kids. Get home cook tea drive to second job as a counsellor. I only get those 7k because I cannot park nr work so have a walk from car park. I get in at 10 and go to bed. I don't know how to fit anymore in.

“I can do 2000 before I get in the shower, in the morning.”

Do you run up and down the hallway for 20mins beforehand? 🤔😂

I've managed at least 10k steps every day for over two years now.

It's not that difficult if you make little changes. The steps soon add up.

Park in the furthest space. Always walk the long way round. Walk around the kitchen as the kettle boils.

I do a lot more than 10,000 a day. Am not working but this is not a huge effort.

@DoneLikeAKipper seriously what's your issue? Never said tv was ghastly did I? All I'm saying is there are ways of getting to your target if that's what you want to do, you make choices to help you get there. If I didn't work from home I would have to make different choices.

I do 10,000 steps an hour. More on the weekend where I run a half marathon before walking my dog, then i do the quick 4 mile walk to town for light breakfast. I'm back home by 5.30am.

Honestly, anything lower than that is just laziness

DD's old Fitbit always showed more miles than my Apple Watch. We now have the apple ones and they seem less generous that Fitbit in our experience.

I also don't think I swing my arms much when walking. If I make a conscious effort too it seems to count more.

Also smaller steps I take don't register. I need to do a proper calibration of my watch I think to register the steps I do around my classroom as they are smaller than when out and about

I've got an old style Fitbit One that I clip to my bra, it's been spot on when I've done random counts and the active times match up with what I've been doing, so I think it's pretty accurate. If I walk to work and back (20 minutes each way) and go for a (fairly leisurely) half hour walk at lunchtime I can do 10k easily. Today I've done feck all and my count is 1396

@SheSaidNoFuckThat, I’ve pretty much mentioned my issue previously on thread. I don’t think the OP was looking for a pile on of ‘oh only 2k as a base, how pathetic. Let me tell you how I get 5k just putting my socks on in the morning!’.

Ever the same on MN, any question like this ends up being a pile on of posters trying to out do each other in making others feel bad/smugly showing off. A helpful post would be ‘have you considered a dance class’ or as some have said ‘it’s not the steps that count but the strength of the exercise’, rather than a sneering ‘well I don’t watch tv during the day, I’m too busy actually moving you know’.

I do between 10-15k nearly every day. I honestly don't think it's much at all.
I sometimes do 2-3 before I even leave for work.

I used to think it was a lot when I first got a Fitbit but I gradually started adding more and more so now I do 15000 most days. Even on days when I don’t go out or do much around the house I would still clock up 4000/5000 just mooching.

I find it quite difficult to get to 10,000. Today I’ve edged over (10,300) despite taking the dog for an hour’s walk, walking 10 mins to/from the shops earlier and spending the rest of the day doing housework/gardening.

@DoneLikeAKipper OP asked if others manage to do it, so when people answer they are very likely to say how they do it aren't they?

@DoneLikeAKipper also no sneering was involved btw, maybe someone hit a nerve with you I don't know. But making simple suggestions and sharing how targets are achieved isn't actually a bad thing

@Bluebelliphant

10 pages of comments in a few hours- phew!

No time to read it all but

10K STEPS IS A MYTH THAT WAS PRODUCED AS A MARKETING SCHEME BY A JAPANESE MAKER OF A PEDOMETER.

It has no foundation in science.

Obviously, keep active, but the 10K steps is a translation of the name for the gadget measuring steps.

www.telegraph.co.uk/men/the-filter/five-health-myths-to-ignore-this-year/

One of many articles on it. ^^

Incidental steps are important, though. They may have minimal effect on your heart rate but repeatedly standing up, sitting down, walking (or running) up and down stairs, bending over stretching up, carrying baskets of washing around and all those other movements you make when putting things away, making beds, hoovering, getting kids washed and dressed, etc, are still better for your general muscle tone and physical well being than sitting on your arse, watching GoT!

This is why there has been a whole movement towards standing desks

10,000 steps is about 100 minutes of walking. I often find that on days when I “feel “ busy, doing lots of bits and pieces, I dont actually get the 10,000 steps done. It takes a couple of longish walks to achieve that amount. Having a Fitbit that reminds you of you haven’t got to 250 in a particular 50 minutes is useful. Then you get up and walk briskly up and down till you get to 250.

Don’t bother with 10,000 steps.

3 brisk 10 minute walks a day is better

I have a small house and stay home with my under school-aged children. I hit 8-10k on days I don’t step foot outside.

I don't think its a lot, but it depends what I'm doing as some days I'm at home and even with constant trips up and down stairs I can barely get above 5k.
Other times I'll be out and about and clock up 20k no problem.