Getting your (10k?) steps in - YouLookFab Forum

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Getting your (10k?) steps in

LJP

Veteran

Riffing on Helena's menopause post - as this is very much top-of-mind for me right now - here's a question for you :

For those of you who work full time outside of the home, and especially if you live in a climate with snow/ice on the ground for 4-5 months of the year.....how do you get your 7-10k steps in daily ?

I feel overwhelmed with getting that amount of movement - 10,000 steps is at least an hour of walking isn't it? - on a regular work day. I'm considering buying a walking pad - anyone have one ?

Interested to hear how you manage this.

L.

Off Topic

30 replies

Latest reply was from Staysfit

pirouette

Veteran

I had a tread mill at home for many years which I used to walk on to build up my steps. We don’t have snow and ice but heavy rain and windy conditions make walking difficult. I am retired now and find I can get my steps in between showers.

Sisi

Veteran

7-10k steps daily? What is that?
I'm kidding. Compliments Lisa if you do that. I only walk once a week, in the countryside, and not in Winter. I think that a walking pad is an excellent idea!

LJP

Veteran

https://csepguidelines./

These guidelines ( Canadian , but US organizations quote the same ) recommend all adults get 150 minutes per week of aerobic activity . That’s only 20 minutes a day . The 7-10k goal is for optimum cardiovascular and bone health , and has been proven to have positive impact on reduction/ prevention of chronic disease .

Irina

Veteran

Lisa, it was easier when I worked from the office. I walked part of the way to and back from work plus a 30 minutes walk with DH every night after dinner. Probably because I live and used to work in the center of the city, sidewalks are mostly cleared of snow/ice. I don’t drive and walk everywhere.

My daily walking goal is 5 kilometers. I achieve it most of the days but with some of it now done on a treadmill in a gym - 30 minutes.

It is understandably harder if you live in a suburban area. You don’t have many opportunities to casually walk outside in a winter.

LJP

Veteran

I'm not necessarily wedded to the 10k steps a day concept, as I think it's unrealistic for me. I was just curious how many of you actually achieved this level , and how . I've considered walking home from work - it's only 3km- but again it's logistically tricky and one more layer of prep . That's where the walking pad comes in

Helena

Veteran

Lisa, I'm just part time outside of home but fwiw I do YouTube walking workouts while I watch tv at night and it definitely helps with getting a few extra steps in, especially when it's crap outside!

LJP

Veteran

Helena what do you walk on ? A treadmill or a walking pad ?

Sal

Veteran

I fit part of the criteria - we don't have the snow - but I work 32-35 hours a week plus volunteer 2-5 hours a week. Mostly outside the home.

This is my fitness routine. I am training for a 60km walk next week (over three days) so I have been doing 1300 steps up to a peak in the weekend or long hikes. I try and exercise 6-7 days a week with yoga day being a "rest day" but I do sometimes have other rest days when I am tired or have complications with work. I had a day off today as I was shattered.

Two 7km walks at 5.50am with a friend
Two gym workouts at 5.50am - weights and cycling and sometimes rowing
One yoga class a week at 6am
Pickleball - once a week for 1.5 hours at night time
Casual walking for errands or to coffee - once or twice a week in the weekend or at night.
Longer hike or bike ride or city walk - one weekend day

Bike to work - usually once every two weeks - won't gym or walk on these days as it is 30km
Swim -this has been parked for now whilst doing the hiking training.

On yoga days or gym/pickleball days I don't walk. I don't get many steps in at work and I have to drive (12-15km) away unless I bike.

I have to head out early - it is dark often. If my friend was not there I would be tempted to bail.

I have to be careful what I see on social media as some of the influencers are clearly not working full time nor taking on other responsibilities.

Your cold winter adds a different complexity for sure.

I am much better with my discipline to exercise than I am with my discipline to avoid treats or drinking alcohol socially.

MidwestrnChic

I live in Michigan and work from home most of the time. I have a walking pad, which I will link, and I love it. I try to do most of my walks outside, but sometimes the weather is just too much for me. Getting my 10,000 steps or more in every day is a nonnegotiable for me and the walking pad has been a game changer this winter. Highly recommended.

WalkingPad® US Official Store - Patented Foldable Treadmill for Home

LJP

Veteran

MC - thank you ! This is exactly what I want to hear :). Our winters are similar ( I’m in Manitoba ) and walking outside isn’t always an option . Glad to hear you love your walking pad !

My daughter did a quick survey on her IG stories of her clients and fellow gym goers , and said walking pads are super popular among the young women who wfh . . I had no idea ! I’ve got some good recommendations and will be ordering one this week !

LJP

Veteran

Sal - you are the epitome of active, and I'm in awe. Being up and out the door before 6 am is more than I can imagine - and again I'm impressed! You're right about fitness/lifestyle influencers : I doubt any of them lead a "regular" life that includes working full time!

JAileen

Veteran

I don’t have a job, but when I did, I would go up and down the stairs. I used the stairs instead of the elevator whenever possible, and I would go up and down on my lunch hour. At one point I was looking at microfiche for days and days, and so I started dashing up and down the stairs, to wake myself up.

Sal

Veteran

I think a walking pad is a good idea Lisa.

It’s finding what works for each of us. Jon is a very very very active person and I used to try and keep up with him with running - not literally but in terms of doing races and events. But it was not my thing so I would look to get out of runs…. Now I do things I genuinely love and I am much better.

Helena

Veteran

Lisa, just the floor Knees up along with the elbows

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I don't contend with much snow, Lisa - but do deal with a lot of rain and wind. It's gusty and wet living by the water. I have the right items, though. People here have head coverings, lots of outerwear, and good shoes. If you don't get out and do things in the rain in the PNW - you won't get out!

Personally, I don't drive much. I walk almost everywhere, and climb lots of stairs and hills. Seattle is very hilly. When you have doggies, you walk a lot by default! Getting 10k of steps in is organic. I also do Pilates and Yoga daily, at home with my apps.

Sounds like a walking pad is a good option! Hope it works out, and good luck

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I don’t have a desk job and am pretty active day-to-day, but sloppy weather in the winter definitely puts a damper on my activity since I much prefer outdoor walks!

When I redid my home office, I got a sitting/standing adjustable desk and a small treadmill so I can do tasks like edit photos or write while walking. It definitely helps! Sometimes I even jog on it. Sometimes I watch a streaming show while I get in a couple of miles.

I go to a Pilates session 2 or 3 times a week, and try to walk at least 4 miles every day. Sometimes that walking is in the process of doing errands or house or yard work. It’s all activity, so it’s all good. Some days I’m amazed that I get in 10k steps without even leaving my house.

I’m also a big fan of getting activity into my outings — parking a distance from a store entrance, taking stairs instead of elevators, etc. I think every little bit helps.

LJP

Veteran

Yeah - I was surprised to see that I had done 4400 steps yesterday at work alone . I had no idea I covered that much ground . Makes getting in the remaining 4-5 k less intimidating !

nuancedream

Veteran

I take a walk during my lunch break pretty much every day. It gets me out of the computer hypno-grip spell and reduces my stress, which is high due to work. I've been recently diagnosed wirh elevated blood pressure. Walking in a park with lots of trees is my preference. I frequently walk to the grocery store and post office, which are about 1/3 of a mile from my home. More often than not, I take the stairs and park far from any entrances.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I did not even know walking pads existed! Wow. The things you learn! I could maybe use one of those!

I work partly from home and partly at the university and I live in the suburbs where most people drive most places, which I loathe. I was always an urban walker and I miss my city walks.

I still get my steps in, though, often by gritting my teeth and going out in the rain and wind a couple of times a day. I know this is different from snow and ice. You have to be careful where you are! It's not just unpleasant, it can be dangerous.

Like you, I find on the days I work at the university, I get almost half my steps just by the to and fro of that. I sit more on workdays at home and have to remind myself to get up out of the chair. When working from home I will usually walk late afternoon before supper prep.

For me, building walking into my routine is the easiest, most fun and comfortable way to get the exercise. Like Janet, I build activity in by parking farther away, taking the stairs, using transit, etc. It all adds up.

Peri

Veteran

As someone whose foot hurts on a regular basis I doubt I get that many. I wore a tracker watch for a few weeks, borrowed from my husband, and I know I didn't reach that.

But...how accurate are those things, really? One of my piano students said it counted the arm motions of advanced playing as steps! On the flip side, it barely counts my husband's skating, a very low count for a full hour of skating because of gliding instead of impact. And two hours of ballroom practice, my very aerobic form of exercise, also is undercounted both for the gliding aspect instead of striding, and because you don't swing your arms like you do in walking. And who can count distance on these activities that just go around in circles?!

For me, I don't think about steps at all. I do what I can and as much of it as I can, and if I feel worn out, loose, and glowing at the end of it, then that is good exercise. But answer your actual question I do have a treadmill at home and if something knocks out dance practice I do 20-30 minutes on it when I can.

LJP

Veteran

Suz - I had the same reaction to the idea of a walking pad. I knew people used them at their desks at work, but for some reason it never occurred to me that one could use it at home simply for walking ! Then all of a sudden it was everywhere online and my daughter's comments cemented for me. I'm using it everyday now and am SO happy I bought it! Far less clunky and space-consuming than a treadmill.

Echo

Veteran

I teach, and I normally get in 10k-12k steps a day. Our building is a combined elementary and high school, so by walking the loop, I can get in about 500 steps in very short order. I try to do this almost every time I have a few minutes. By taking a walk at lunch, getting to work ten minutes early to walk a little, and doing a couple more loops before leaving, I get in that number of steps fairly easily. I also walk to classrooms to get my students and escort them back, so I'm getting a fair number of steps in the normal course of the day, as well.

I wear a pedometer, and I'm always surprised at the number of steps I get when I'm not even paying attention. I also do stretching exercises daily and yoga several times a week, but that isn't exactly active the way walking or other sports are.

Sal

Veteran

That's awesome Lisa.

AJ

Veteran

On YouTube there are step dance videos. The channel I go to often is Reps to the Rhythm. If you search his playlist, he has some listed by time. His moves are beginner friendly and his playlist is fun. Also his foster cats usually are around as he exercises. So cute!

Laurie

Veteran

I wish we'd had this conversation in January when I was liked a caged animal due to the cold and snow! I was so frustrated about not being able to get outside, the gyms were full, and it was bad. I love this walking pad idea!
Daffodils are up here in the DC area. Temps are fluctuating and it's been windy, but it's bearable to be outside again. I'm getting back to my 3-5 walks a week. Our local senior center has a food waste drop off point, and I've been motivated to walk the 3 mile roundtrip to drop off a couple of pounds of food waste even on days that I might not have felt like going. I feel very virtuous about it, believe me!

unfrumped

Veteran

Sounds like a great idea, given your climate. If you do walk outside a lot when weather is favorable, it’s really discouraging to lose ground ( haha) over the winter.

One thing I do is not try to “ conserve steps” most of the time, except when in a crashing hurry. When I’m tidying up or cleaning house, I just use going from room to room as part of exercise; I don’t try to be so efficient. Music or a podcast helps. In the grocery I don’t fret about nearly forgetting something and having
to walk clear back across the store to get it. These things won’t get me all the way to step goal, but are helpful to combat the ongoing conspiracy of technology & advice to get us to “ conserve energy”. .

Kyle

Veteran

In terms of weather, you have the cold and snow, and I have the extreme summer heat. When the sweltering temperatures hit we get our steps walking in an air conditioned mall or a local fitness center that has an indoor walking track. It’s really the only option. That’s usually 45 minutes and 4,500-5,500 steps because my walking buddy requires a slower pace. Errands and daily activities then get me close to 10,000 and if I’m falling short I sneak in another walk at the end of the day.

Kyle

Veteran

MC, I’m very interested in the walking pad. Is there anything more you can share about it! Especially interested in anything related to stability and quality. Also, is it pretty easy to move from place to place?

LJP

Veteran

I'll answer that one too if I may : I love the walking pad I bought, and yes , it's easy to move around. It weighs about 45 lbs, and I just lift it up and prop it up against a wall in my bedroom when not in use. Stability is fine
- I've even done a little "jog" test on it . https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/G.....Office-Bla

Sorry its a Walmart link - I hate patronizing that store.

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