I walked 10,000 steps a day for 30 days

Matt D'Avella12 minutes read

Walking is highlighted as a simple way to lead a healthy lifestyle, with physical inactivity linked to chronic diseases like diabetes and cancer. Recent studies suggest 7,500 steps as ideal, with strategies like taking the stairs or walking during work calls to increase step counts.

Insights

  • Walking, despite being less trendy than other workouts, is a powerful and accessible means of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, with benefits that go beyond physical health to encompass mental well-being and overall quality of life.
  • The concept of achieving 10,000 steps daily, although popularized by a marketing campaign, has been reevaluated in recent studies, suggesting that 7,500 steps may be more realistic and beneficial for most individuals, emphasizing the importance of setting achievable and personalized goals for physical activity.

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Recent questions

  • What are some trendy workouts?

    F45, CrossFit, Pilates, HIIT

  • What is the recommended daily step count?

    7,500 steps

  • How can I track my steps?

    Smartwatch like Apple Watch

  • What are the benefits of walking?

    Healthy lifestyle, reduced disease risk

  • How can I increase my daily step count?

    Take stairs, walk during calls

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Summary

00:00

"Walk 7,500 Steps Daily for Health"

  • Trendy workouts like F45, CrossFit, Pilates, and HIIT training have cult followings, but walking is highlighted as a simple yet effective way to lead a healthy lifestyle.
  • Physical inactivity is linked to an increased risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and cancer, making it a significant global mortality risk factor.
  • The recommendation of walking 10,000 steps a day originated from a catchy marketing slogan by a Japanese company in the 1960s, although recent studies suggest 7,500 steps as ideal for most people.
  • Tracking steps can be done with a smartwatch like an Apple Watch, which uses GPS tracking and arm motion estimation, although not always 100% accurate.
  • Incorporating incidental exercise, like taking the stairs or walking more during daily activities, can contribute to reaching step goals.
  • Utilizing work meetings and calls as opportunities to walk can significantly increase daily step counts.
  • Slowing down and enjoying walks, listening to podcasts or meditations, and exploring nature can enhance the walking experience and lead to better results.
  • Consistently walking 10,000 steps a day for 30 days resulted in an average of 12,140 steps per day and a total of 364,000 steps, with no significant changes in weight or other health data points.
  • The intention going forward is to aim for an average of 7,500 steps per day, incorporating successful strategies from the 30-day walking experiment.

12:20

"Prioritizing walking for daily enjoyment and health"

  • Over the past 30 days, the individual focused on walking whenever possible, even when driving would be more convenient, incorporating walking while taking calls, particularly in the morning. They emphasized slowing down and enjoying walks instead of rushing through them, aiming to savor the experience.
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