Categories: Fitness

10,000 Steps

10,000 steps.

It’s supposed to make you accumulate at least 30 minutes of activity.

It is equivalent to about 5 miles.

I’m a fairly active person, and sometimes it’s hard for me to meet, especially since my workouts these days mostly involve weights and intervals, which aren’t measured by my FitBit. (< Who am I?)

It’s cold. My commute used to be a 1-mile walk each way (or, when it was really cold, just a bus ride instead), and I used to work on the 5th floor and frequently take the stairs up to our 9th floor to visit the espresso machine.

My office is now two blocks away, which is FREAKING AMAZING, but a detriment to my FitBit game. I walk home at lunch now to walk Bailey, but that still only adds up to 8 blocks of commuting. We’re on the second floor, so I take one flight of stairs twice a day.

I’m honestly rarely running these days. I have zero desire to freeze outside and zero desire to run on the dreadmill. (This half this weekend should be fun.)

But I still just really want to hit my steps for the day, so I’m trying to make myself get them in creatively by thinking of where I can push myself a little more in my regular day.

Walking Bailey longer: It is so so freaking cold, and most of our walks this winter have been pretty short, but I’m making myself walk him a little further for both of our sakes. I looked at my FitBit last night, and walking just one square city block is about 1,500 blocks!
Getting off the subway a stop early: Yeah, it’s really freaking freezing, but I feel like I’m finally acclimating to this crap. As long as I have time, I try to get off the subway one stop early. Anyway, I’m usually rushing somewhere and walking instead of subwaying gives me time to wind down a bit so I’m a little less frazzled by the time I reach my destination.
Taking the long way: Where possible, I’m walking out of my way to get the rest of those steps in.

Oh, and there’s always just doing some high knees in my apartment, which I’m not above doing if I’m close to the 10,000 step goal but not there quite yet.

IS IT SPRING YET?!

Theodora Blanchfield

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View Comments

Melissa @ Mel's Miles says:

January 29, 2014 at 10:59 pm

I just started using a Fitbit, too, and can't believe how few steps I take on days I don't go to the gym. The Fitbit is a real eye-opener!
- Theodora Blanchfield says:
  
  January 29, 2014 at 11:33 pm
  
  Right? Also, I go so many less steps now that it's SO COLD.
Amy says:

January 29, 2014 at 11:20 pm

I just paced my living room while watching The Biggest Loser to break 10,000 today! Good for you for braving the ridiculous cold to make it!
Eve says:

January 29, 2014 at 11:29 pm

You go 4.27 miles in 33 minutes? That's pretty speedy! Even when I'm running it takes me at least 34/35 minutes to go 4 miles. Good for you!
- Theodora Blanchfield says:
  
  January 29, 2014 at 11:32 pm
  
  Definitely not! I don't quite understand the miles/active min correlation, but def not.
Laura says:

January 29, 2014 at 11:57 pm

I recently got a FitBit too. At first, I was really motivated to get in my 10,000 steps, but the last week or so has been really hard. I'm sick of this cold (I live in Minnesota). There have been days where it was so cold, it wasn't even safe to have my dog outside for very long! I can't wait to see how much easier it will be to get to 10,000 when it's nice out! I'm glad I'm not the only one who tries to get to 10,000 in the living room when I'm close! (I've had dance parties and done jumping jacks while watching TV, haha).
- Theodora Blanchfield says:
  
  January 30, 2014 at 8:06 am
  
  @Laura: Minnesota. Oof, I can't even imagine how cold you are.
Caroline says:

January 30, 2014 at 1:16 am

I have such a hard time getting in 10000 steps, especially in the winter. I have a very sedentary job (I'm a counselor), so moving is just tough.
Jessica @ RunYourMuttOff says:

January 30, 2014 at 2:02 am

It's not just the weather, I'm SO excited for the sun to be out long enough to run outside safely after work. Dear Sun, I miss you. Love, the girl who runs the treadmill 4 nights a week.
Jillian says:

January 30, 2014 at 6:20 am

So weird, but I literally posted about this same thing a few hours ago! I just got a pedometer and was shocked by how little I'm moving! Agreed about the weather... I like to walk during my lunch break, but haven't dared in weeks!
Glen says:

January 30, 2014 at 6:48 am

Good for you, especially with the cold weather. I remember one weather reporter saying "there's no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing"!

Do you have room in your apartment to do a DVD workout? I've been doing that new T25 workout you see on TV. Only 25 minutes long and it's a really good workout. Don't need any special equipment - just a little room to move around.

Something to think about. Changes things up.
Abi@AbsofSteel says:

January 30, 2014 at 6:56 am

My walking takes a major hit during winter, can't wait for spring!
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says:

January 30, 2014 at 7:13 am

You are so lucky to live in a city that is so walkable. Whenever I come up to NYC, I always end up loosing weight despite the delicious (and probably not so healthy) food I consume.
- Theodora Blanchfield says:
  
  January 30, 2014 at 8:05 am
  
  @Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie: Oh, I know. I realize when I go home to my parents' how much easier it is to walk here without even thinking about it. I'm lucky if I get 5-6K steps when home.