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?

It is enlightening to look at the Fitbit user forums. Lots of folks worldwide complaining about overcounting of steps. Fitbit cite 95% accuracy on steps and I do believe them on this though they are being sued on the accuracy of other data by a user. However, this accuracy may be calculated in controlled conditions with new devices. In real world, free use, the devices may be less accurate much like the Mpg cited by car manufacturers is. Reasons for over counting seem to include position worn, fit to wrist, selection of non-dominant hand setting - things that are ‘user error’. Using the device correctly should optimise accuracy to within the range claimed. Some of the posters on the fitbit forum claim they have corrected for all these things. The answer then is a reboot apparently.

It’s also enlightening to look at scientific publications. A meta analysis of publications by University of British Columbia found that fitbits ‘overestimate steps in free living settings’ and ‘meet acceptable accuracy for step count approximately half the time’; it’s fair to say there were also instances of underestimation too.

It’s the old adage - if it looks like a dog and barks like a dog then it’s probably a dog. If you have walked continuously for 40 minutes and have 5k steps then you probably have done 5K steps. If you’ve pottered at home for 40 minutes and have 5k steps and want to believe that’s a dog you’re looking at, then good luck to you. Just don’t look down on the OP who has ‘only’ got 2k steps and thinks 10k is a lot.

Can you get off a stop earlier, HB? Also really make time to take a break and go for a walk at lunch time. Bring headphones and trainers, plug in and go.

I can get in an hour of walking on my commute and during the day. If it's a nice evening and I'm not in a hurry to be home I walk back from the local town station which is four miles.

The thing is with walking is it does take time. Whereas going for a run is quicker. But with walking you don't need to get changed, and often don't even need different footwear.

A mile = 2000 steps for me. I've checked this on FitBit and various pedometers over the years. My FitBit isn't far out. Where it is inaccurate is saying how many calories I can eat or how many I've burned, I think that is 300+ a day too generous, which would be a problem if you were relying on that to try and lose weight.

I just ignore that and eat a set number of calories when trying to lose weight, allowing a bit more on days I've been more active.

Can you get off a stop earlier, HB?

Unfortunately not - I only go one stop, a distance of about 9 miles. I’m thinking of taking up cycling, but it would involve some scary / dangerous roads, and there aren’t showers in my office. Definitely agree that I should try and walk more at lunchtime though! Eating while working isn’t a good habit!

Ok, no problem.

Yeah, I find getting out at lunch time is brilliant for mental health as well. Especially in winter, it might be the only daylight you see, and you can get a little bit of melatonin and Vitamin D at least, even when the weather is rubbish.

I would like to prescribe a dog for everyone really. However much I don't feel like walking the dog at the time, I feel much better by the end of the walk.

I have a job were I'm on my feet for 7 hours a day, I walk around a lot and go out for a walk at lunch and still manage to only do 7000 steps during the day I've always got to go for a walk at night to get my 10k in. That's my fitbit total.

Whiskyagogo It really doesn't sound like it's accurate. At all.

For me, it makes a difference where I am doing the walking. yesterday I was walking by a river, and did 20K steps without difficulty. Today I was in town and was tired after 7K. I find city streets are very hard on your feet. The trick is not to drive or take the bus for small journeys, so you walk to the station to get the tube to work, you walk to the shops after work to buy food, and then walk home. It all adds up. When I started I found 5K a bit tiring but I really didn't notice yesterday's 20K. Important thing: keep hydrated. My feet start to hurt as soon as I dehydrate.

I'm with you OP. I walk as much as I can in the office - my desk is deliberately in a different room to my desk. I go and talk to colleagues rather than email. I regularly do an hour or two's walk at the weekend. I garden several evenings a week (and it is a big garden!)

I struggle to get even close to 10,000!

@screwymcscrewup maybe! I'd like to think its accurate and that I am some kind of step ninja. 😂

Right. I got in from work at 6. I had 497 steps done.
So I walked 3.5 kms with the dog and the pram to the vets instead of taking the car.
I'm now at 4400 steps. That is all I'm capable of in a day. I'm wrecked.
I am in admiration of those of you doing so much steps but I also know my limits!

@3luckystars how on Earth are you counting them? Less than 500 at the end of a working day is impossible

Of course its not impossible. Walk from bedroom to ensuite and shower - 10 steps max. Back to bedroom to dress - 10 steps. Downstairs to get into car - 20 steps. Car to desk - 80 steps, and back again. Leaves 300 steps for going to toilet, etc.

Famously one Christmas Day I did 198 steps all day!

I think it’s really hard to clock up that many unless you’re on the school run etc.

I’ve worked outside all day, and have been for a 45 minute walk this evening and still only 6,500

I did over 10k by 1.45 today. Phone in jeans pocket for disclosure, and by the time I'd walked the dog, and been to the tip it was already over. Then I did a Pilates class and walked around town a bit. But I am more or less retired.

Maybe my phone isn't counting them all. I feel like i have been running around all day.

I never carry my phone with me around the house and rarely take it to the pub

I think it hugely depends on your circumstances and lifestyle as this thread shows. At one point in my life I’d have had no chance of 10k, now I try to do that on morning dog walk and then a few thousand pottering. When the DC were little and I was looking after my Mum I just wouldn’t have been able to do it.

My Fitbit is pretty accurate, takes about 10 mins or 2000 steps and a 10k walk is around 90 mins. The calorie burn is pretty accurate, it slightly underestimates by about 10% but I think this is unusual and a lot over estimate. I’ve got months worth of data so can be pretty confident.

Very cheesy but Leslie Sansone on YouTube has walking videos that are quite good. Used to do the 5 min one when boiling the kettle and the 15 min one whilst boiling rice. I usually do between 500 and 1000 before taking DS to school on the morning. I’ve just been walking round house counting steps and I think that is probably about right. From my bed to DS’s bedroom door is 75 there and back (he’s downstairs). From my shower to kitchen sink is 90 there and back, so a few times chasing up DS, going down to feed animals, then down again to make a cuppa starts to add up .

My desk is deliberately in a different room to the printer!! Doh

I am amazed at the person who got 40,000 steps, that is about 19 miles

I agree with OP. It is difficult to achieve 10k esp like me if you drive to a sedentary job and often have work or children taxiing to do in the evening. I have to make a real effort to go out for a run or long walk to get my 7k target.

My personal best is 79 steps one Saturday. Really proud of myself.

Wasn't ill, just lazy and got everybody to bring me cups of tea and biscuits so didn't even have to do the sofa to kitchen trek.

Right. I got in from work at 6. I had 497 steps done.

Is that really right though? I can't see how that is possible for a whole day! I'm usually at over 1000 when I get back from the school run and that's with driving to school and just walking DD in and doing the usual getting ready stuff before we leave. Less than 500 seems impossible for 8 hours

I am going to borrow my daughter's fitbit tomorrow and see what results I get for comparison.