Do you wear a FitBit? Oh my goodness, I just love mine. It appeals to my goal setting personality so well. In fact, I wish there were devices on the market that could track other positive behaviors so effortlessly. I love that all I have to do to track my activity is put it on. Done.
I got my FitBit last May in the midst of marathon training. However, the only days when I was achieving 10,000 steps a day were the days that I ran or went for a walk. In fact, it wasn’t terribly uncommon for me to get less than 5,000 steps on days that I worked.
It wasn’t until January that I set a step count goal for myself. Seeing how I had some high step count days and some very low ones, I decided to make a weekly goal rather than a daily goal. I set my goal for 70,000 steps a week. That way I wouldn’t have to worry about my step count daily. This goal gave room for an occasional lazy day or day glued to my desk at work, but also allowed me to get “more credit” for the days that I took well over 10,000 steps.
All was good and well with my 70,000 a week step challenge, but then, without me even noticing… my efforts changed. When I went to Florida with my dad this March, I easily picked up 10,000 each day. Without the intention, I found myself on a streak!
My streak of walking 10,000 steps every day started on March 15. Today marks four months of getting 10,000 steps a day… every. single. day.
Now that I have found that 10,000 steps a day is incredibly achievable, I plan to see it out for the rest of the year. However, if I don’t put an end date on it, I might be tied to this streak forever. When I was about a month in, I talked to a woman who told me that her brother was on a two year streak, and counting! I was impressed. Apparently he is in his 60s and has walked through illness and back pain to continue his streak… what a badass.
Even though I admire the dedication and perseverance some people have to continue the 10,000 a day streak, I have decided that my goal next January will be a weekly one. I have spent quite a few evenings having to run in place to top off my step count… and I am happy to do it, but I do miss the flexibility of a weekly goal. With the 10,000 a day step goal I also find that I am getting in a lot of shorter runs and not placing as high a value on the occasional long run… and I really enjoy my long runs.
I love getting credit for steps in the form of a green star on my FitBit app, but the benefits of getting in my 10,000 steps extends way beyond that.
First, I honestly believe that 10,000 steps a day is the biggest factor in my ability to maintain my weight. After losing weight last year, I allowed myself some wiggle room with my food choices, but kept up my activity. 10,000 steps a day keeps me right where I want to be.
Second, getting out for a run nearly every day gives me some time to clear my head and enjoy a little time alone. This is huge for me. I love my kids, but I am a much better mom when I have a little time for myself.
Third, I connect with nature when I am on the trails. This is absolutely one of my favorite perks of my daily excursions. Time spent in nature is essential to my happiness.
If not for my step count goals, I may not have witnessed all of this beauty:
