20,000 Steps a Day My Exhausting 30-Day Step Challenge
How Many Steps In A Mile? (How Many Steps To Lose A Pound?)
Maybe you went to the doctor and they mentioned you need to start getting in 10,000 steps a day or maybe you are just looking to get moving and want to know how many steps are actually in a mile.
Just getting your body moving with walking can make a huge health difference as long as you are consistent. Do you realize even if you just improve your way of life a measly 1% a day you will be twice as good in 72 days. That means you will double your investment in yourself in less then 3 months. This is the compound affect.
So How Many Steps In A Mile?
On average there are 2,000 steps in a mile which is where the 10,000 steps a day comes from so you get about 5 miles a day walking. This is a rough average and can be made much more accurate by using a calculator or going off your measurements.
Now it may vary depending on the your stride of course which can relate to your height. However I am the same height as my brother in law and still have a shorter stride then him.
This won’t really matter unless you are just concerned about distance. If you are just looking for calories burned if you will burn about the same as any other person that walks 2,000 steps based on your fitness level. Walking with someone that has longer strides you will burn more calories over the same distance.
If you really want to know exactly how many steps you are getting in a mile read further.
Table of Contents
Steps To Miles Conversion Calculation
When it comes to converting your steps into a mile you just need to divide 5,280 by the length of your stride in feet. So let’s say you have an average sized stride of 2.5 feet that would be 5,280/2.5 = 2,112 steps in a mile.
If it is around 2 feet per stride the calculation would look like this 5,280/2 – 2,640 steps per mile.
How To Measure Stride Length?
- Measure out a 20 foot area
- Start before the mark so you get your natural stride going and count your steps
- Measure this with a tape measure (or rope then measure that)
- Divide the number of feet into your measured distance by the number of steps you took.
- Distance In Feet (20) / Your steps it took = so for e.g. if you took 10 steps to cover that 20 feet your step would equal 2 feet
How Many Steps To Lose A Pound?
If you are looking to lose weight make sure you combine your walking with a healthy meal plan and at least keep track of your calories you are taking in versus burning.
That is how simple it can be to lose weight move around and don’t eat too much. So we will take a look at a couple different weights to figure out how many calories it would take to burn a pound.
On average a 160lb person burns right around 100 calories per mile where a 200lb person will burn 125 calories in that same mile. Again these are just rough estimates if you want something more accurate look to get a fitbit or apple watch or something like that.
So if you average 2.5 feet per step and 2,000 steps in a mile. It would take you 2,000 steps to burn 100-125 calories. So in order to burn a pound of weight that would be 35 miles or 5 miles a day.
This is where that 10,000 steps to get healthier comes from so work on averaging over 10,000 steps a day and even if you don’t change a thing you will lose around 1lb a week. Which you should be looking to lose around 1-2 lbs a week on average no more then that.
This is a very simple thing to add to your daily routine. Lets say you can’t get in a 10,000 a day walk but can get in an extra long walk of 7,500 every other day then just try to get that 2,500 in on those other days. You can simply park further away at work and take the stairs to make up that difference.
How Many Miles Should You Walk In A Day?
How many miles you should walk a day will depend on what kind of shape you are in. I know of people that all they do is walk around all day but that isn’t necessarily healthy either. If you are walking around all day on concrete you are going to be in rough shape at the end of every week and your knees will probably have problems later on in life.
I know this from my dad who has had two sets of knees and is still working on concrete unfortunately. So make sure you at least invest in a nice pair of comfortable walking shoes with support and maybe an extra padded insole.
From there maybe get a physical done and see what your doctor has to say. If they say go for 10,000 a day then do it. They may suggest something like 5,000 a day and that is find then increase from there week to week.
If you are way out of shape one advantage you have is that just doing anything you are going to burn some calories so just keep at it. Things like cleaning the house are very underrated on the amount of calories you can burn.
How Many Calories Burned Walking A Mile?
Each mile you are going to burn around 100-125 calories on average if you way between 160-200 lbs. If you weigh more then that you will burn more calories on average then that.
By the end of the week just try to get it to 35 miles which is 5 miles a day which will be right around a pound of weight lost.
Can You Lose Weight By Walking 10,000 Steps A Day?
You can lose massive weight by walking 10,000 steps a day you just aren’t going to notice it as much day to day. You need to look at things on a longer term scale.
If you average 10,000 steps a day over the course of 2 years you will have burned an average of 100 lbs of weight based on a 160 lbs individual with a 2.5 feet stride.
The math says that it takes 3,500 calories to burn a pound of weight and if you are burning 100 calories for every mile then 35 miles a week would be 1 lbs a week. Take that with 104 weeks in two years brings you too 104 lbs burned.
The small things add up that is for sure. 10,000 steps a day should eventually be your minimum goal then you should start going for 12,500 a day.
How Many Miles Do You Need To Walk A Day To Lose Weight?
You should work your way up to 5 miles a day so you can try to burn around 1 lbs a week just from walking. Then if you reduce your calories by around 500 a day then guess what you have just doubled that weight loss to 2 lbs a week.
How Many Miles Is 6,000 Steps?
There are around 3 miles on average for every 6,000 steps a person takes.
How Many Steps In A Mile Fitbit?
There should be no difference if you are using a fitbit, apple watch or an old pedometer it should be around 2,000 steps to get to a mile walking.
Related Questions
How Many Steps In A Kilometer?
There are 1,250 to 1,550 walking steps in a kilometer on average.
How Many Steps In 5km Walk?
There are 6,250 to 7,750 walking steps in 5km walk.
How Many Steps A Day To Lose 2 Ponds A Week?
In order to lose 2 pounds a week from walking you would need around 140,000 steps or 20,000 a day instead of the usual suggested 10,000.
Conclusion
It all starts with that first mile so get out there and start walking. If you have an iPhone the Health app that comes pre-installed has a pedometer in it that will record your daily steps along with how many floors you climb it is surprisingly pretty accurate. Also android phones like the Samsung Galaxy have apps for recording your steps.
If you don’t want to use that you can always download an app like SportsTracker that at the time of this writing was 100% free and can keep track of your steps, miles, calories burned, etc. It will also work for biking, hiking and other specific exercise activities.
Or go with the really cheap route and just get an old fashioned pedometer they ones that just go on your key-chain as well. Don’t think to much about it just get out there and start moving.
If its a rainy day guess what get to cleaning that house and if you have multiple levels get that stair climbing on. If not get an exercise machine like a treadmill its not as good as being outside walking but if you have problems with your knees or want no impact maybe an elliptical may be your best route.
In the end it is the small consistent steps you take that matters. As I stated over the course of a year or two these daily small steps add up to huge amounts of weight. Then maybe you add in an at home workout program.
We are fun loving family that lives on a small farm and tries to be healthy. We are not fitness fanatics we are just trying to keep things simple especially with how busy our lives are. We have a few horses, a few dogs, and a young daughter along with a big extended family. Follow us on our journey. I hope you enjoy the website. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. Please check back for updates!
Whether you are trying to get into shape for a certain sport or trying to run a 5K Beachbody has you covered with its wide array of workout programs. If you can't find one specific program you want.
Unfortunately injuries happen and shoulder injuries can be one of the worst when you are wanting to workout and get back into shape because it is connected to everything in your upper body. I.
How many steps should I walk in a day, how many steps are in a mile and how many calories do I burn in a day?
Not a fan of sprints and cycling? Here's how walking can help you shift those extra pounds
AFTER a long day at work, hitting the gym is often the last thing you feel like doing - but you have to feel the burn somehow.
Why not set an easily achievable daily step count goal instead? Here's everything you need to know about fitness trackers, and if they really can help you lose weight.
How many steps should I be walking a day?
Everybody's different, but the 10,000 steps challenge is promoted by the NHS and other health experts as an achievable and healthful goal.
But shock research released in August 2017 showed how 41 per cent of English adults between 40 and 60 — 6.3million people — fail to do a 10 minutes' brisk walk a MONTH.
You can monitor your step count by buying a Fitbit, Fitness Tracker or pedometer, or using an app on your phone.
All iPhones now have Apple's Health app, which automatically monitors your step count, while Google Fit on Android phones offer similar data.
The average person only walks between 3,000 and 4,000 steps-a-day, so the 10,000 mark may be further away than you'd initially expected.
But don't panic, and don't make any dramatic changes.
Start by counting how many steps you take in the average day, then increase your step count every week in 500-step stages.
So on the first week you may walk 3,500 steps, then 4,000 in week 2 and so on until you reach the 10,000 step goal.
The good news is that all this walking counts towards the NHS' recommended two and a half hours of exercise per week.
How many steps are in a mile and how many calories can I burn per day?
The average person takes around 2,000 steps per mile, which adds up to five miles in a 10,000 step day.
As for the calorie count, it depends on your weight - with heavier people burning off more per mile.
As an estimate, a person weighing 55kg (8.5 stone) could burn 320 calories in one day, while a person weighing 70kg (11st) might burn 400 cals.
Is the 10,000 steps-a-day challenge safe?
Fitness apps have had a bit of bad press in the past, with some experts warning that they could be harmful for elderly or unfit Brits.
Professor Sir Muir Gray, clinical adviser to Public Health England, said: “People should ditch the fitness trackers and aim to break into a sweat.
“If you’re unfit, don’t get put off by the need to do 10,000 steps.
“The best way to boost your health is to get in a ten-minute brisk walk a day. It’s important to get the heart pumping.”
But other studies have found links between tech health apps and reducing the risk of cancer, stroke, heart disease and dementia.
And as long as you increase your activity level at a steady rate, it should be safe.
Just remember that the one-size-fits-all blanket is rarely accurate.
Some of you may naturally walk more than 10,000 steps-a-day, which is great, and you should be encouraging your kids to walk further than this.
Don't give up on your Fitbit just yet, Stanford scientists reckon they could soon predict signs of cancer, heart disease and diabetes BEFORE they even appear.
Ways to reach 10,000 steps a day
With only a third of people in the UK estimated to be active enough to be fit and healthy, walking is a great way to encourage more of us to improve our health. After all, it's a cheap, easy and fun way to boost your wellbeing.
If you're interested in health and wellbeing, you've probably come across the idea of walking 10,000 steps a day. In studies it has been found that taking 10,000 steps a day may well be related to health benefits, such as lower blood pressure, better blood glucose levels and improved mood. Aiming for 10,000 steps a day can help you achieve the current recommended activity target, which is 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week.
Yet most of us aren't reaching anything near 10,000 steps a day. According to the NHS the average British person walks between 3,000 and 4,000 steps a day. Indeed, 10,000 steps - depending on the length of your stride - is about the equivalent of walking about 5 miles, which may sound like an awful lot if you're not particularly active.
Start slowly
If you're new to exercise 10,000 steps may be too much to begin with and you may want to build up your fitness gradually. If this is the case it's a good idea to aim for, say, 4,000 steps a day to begin with, then add a thousand extra steps each week until you reach the magic 10,000.
You may want to start by simply taking a five- or 10-minute walk around the block, then progress to a circuit around your local park then a longer walk down a country path or along a river or canal.
Try to keep a record of where you walk and how long you walk for, so that you can track your progress week by week. And don't forget, as long as you go at a brisk pace, it all count towards your 150 minutes a week too.
Everyday activities
If you're a busy professional, you may be wondering where you're going to find the time to put in 5 miles of walking a day. The good news is there are lots of ways to boost your step count, and they don't all involve walking, as other activities can count too. Even things you may not think of as exercise can add to your daily step count including gardening, housework and shopping
There are also lots of small ways to notch up more steps. At work, for instance, you could use a kitchen on another floor when it's time for a tea break. Try counting how many steps you take walking to the kitchen, including the stairs. There's a good chance it could be as high as 100. So if you did that just 3 times a day, it's 300 steps towards your goal.
Setting a reminder on your desktop computer or your phone to get up from your desk and walk around the office or your home every hour could also boost your step count. Again, count how many steps you take and work out your daily total.
Fitness trackers and step counters
You may be asking at this point, do I need a pedometer or a fitness tracker to count my steps? When you're first starting out these devices can be very useful when calculating your steps in a day and they can even help boost your motivation.
If you don't want to purchase a fitness tracker or step counter, you may be able to use your smartphone to count your steps by downloading a walking app or step tracker. However, neither of these options are essential. If you have a good idea of how many steps you take doing everyday activities you can easily do your own calculations.
Activities to reach 10,000 steps
To help you work out what you have to do achieve 10,000 steps, here's a quick guide to activities you can easily fit into your everyday routine and the number of steps you can achieve per minute by doing them, including non-walking activities (all step counts are approximate):
| Activity | Average steps per minute |
|---|---|
| Walking (moderate pace) | 100 |
| Walking (fast pace) | 130 |
| Moderate gardening (e.g. weeding) | 73 |
| Heavy gardening (e.g. digging) | 155 |
| Mowing the lawn / raking | 135 |
| Housework (vacuuming) | 90 |
| Housework (mopping) | 85 |
| Housework (scrubbing the floor) | 140 |
| Housework (window cleaning) | 75 |
| Food shopping | 60 |
| Dancing (slow) | 55 |
| Dancing (fast) | 175 |
| Washing the car | 75 |
| Waxing the car | 100 |
| Cycling (5mph) | 55 |
| Cycling (10mph) | 93 |
| Cycling (15mph) | 160 |
| Cycling (20mph) | 200 |
| Bowling | 55 |
| Golfing (walking, no cart) | 100 |
| Playing tennis (singles) | 160 |
| Playing tennis (doubles) | 110 |
| Playing ping pong | 90 |
| Playing football (casual) | 207 |
| Swimming (front crawl, 1mph) | 91 |
| Swimming (front crawl, 2mph) | 156 |
| Zumba | 152 |
What could 10,000 steps look like?
Knowing the approximate number of steps you take per minute doing everyday activities can help you calculate exactly what you need to do to reach 10,000, not just occasionally but every day.
Without taking into account the number of steps you may take at work by sitting less and taking regular breaks to move around, here's a simple example that comes to 9,600 steps - just 400 steps short of your goal:
| Activity | Steps |
|---|---|
| Walking to work (15 minutes) | 1,500 steps |
| Taking a walk at lunchtime (30 minutes) | 3,000 steps |
| Walking home (15 minutes) | 1,500 steps |
| Shopping for groceries for dinner (10 minutes) | 600 steps |
| Washing your car (20 minutes) | 1,500 steps |
| Vacuuming the house (20 minutes) | 1,500 steps |
Join a walking group (in the UK)
If you need something to keep you motivated, try joining a local walking group - the ones listed below are for UK only but be sure to check your local area for other walking groups.
The Walking for Health programme, run jointly by Ramblers and Macmillan Cancer Support, offers more than 3,000 free short walks around the country each week. Visit the website to search for walks in your area.
Another way to find organised walking events is to visit the Walk4Life website, where you can also find someone to walk with if you prefer not to join a group. Many of the walking events are run by local authorities, just click on 'find an event' to find one in your area.
Other organisations you can join that include walking groups include the British Walking Federation,Metropolitan Walkers (for people in their 20s and 30s who live in London and the South East) and - for when you're ready to walk further and for longer, the Long Distance Walkers Association.
If you're new to exercise or if you have a pre-existing medical condition, check with your doctor, physician or GP before getting started.
For more tips, recipes, and resources to help you promote your physical wellbeing, visit CABA's physical wellbeing microsite.
20,000 Steps a Day: My Exhausting 30-Day Step Challenge
Last Updated on August 11, 2020
20,000 Steps a Day: My 30-Day Challenge
Disclaimer: My step challenge ended up lasting 31 days, the full month of July.
Since I started The Packable Life, I have spent crazy amounts of time sitting and staring at a computer screen. Yes, I enjoy working on my website, but damn, I need to get off my ass more often. I just started a travel blog after all.
I’ve become a bit… round. My belly is expanding, and my energy levels are sinking. I’m like a loyal husband that’s putting on sympathy weight for his child-bearing wife (but nobody is pregnant).
So, I’ve decided to test out 20,000 steps a day as my weight loss and mental health refreshing strategy. Will it work? I hope so.
For my challenge, I’ll lace up my brand new Tesla running shoes (yes, Tesla makes running shoes for some reason) and I’ll count my steps with the Mi Fit Band and that my generous girlfriend gave to me. Her motives are unknown, but I suspect she wants to keep tabs on my step stats from China.
20,000 STEP CHALLENGE:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FAQs
Was this a good idea? What have I gotten myself into?
Before I start the challenge, let’s dive a little more into the numbers side of this thing. Let’s answer a few quick questions before I start walking.
How many steps a day does the average adult take?
According to VeryWellFit, studies in the US conducted in 2010 and 2016 concluded that the average American adult takes between 5,000 and 7,000 steps a day, or between 2.5 and 3.5 miles (4 and 5.5 km).
What is the recommended number of steps per day for the average adult?
While there is no universal recommended ‘magic number’ of steps, 10,000 steps a day is widely viewed as the standard amount to aim for when trying to maintain an active lifestyle and reduce health risks, although studies have raised questions about that magic number.
How far is 20,000 steps in miles/km?
For a person with an average walking stride length between 2.2 feet and 2.5 feet, it adds up to roughly 10 miles (16 km).
Running and jogging produce longer stride lengths, which vary significantly between people. Male Olympic distance runners log about 23 miles (37 km) per 20k steps!
How many calories are burned while walking 20,000 steps a day?
On average, a 180-pound adult burns 100 calories per mile walked, meaning that walking 10 miles (16 km) a day will burn around 1,000 calories.
What kind of weight loss can one expect from taking 20,000 steps per day?
Everyone is different, so that’s a tough question to answer. I lost five pounds during my 30-day step challenge, and there’s a Canadian guy who dropped 130 pounds (59 kg) while taking 20k steps for a year. Weight loss is all about calories, so use a calorie calculator to monitor your intake during your step challenge if your goal is to shed pounds.
Here’s what I gather from all that info:
This is going to be quite the daily challenge to take on for a month straight without a break. If I end up reaching my goals, I’ll spend around three hours walking every day, and I’ll take nearly four times the steps as an average American.
I guess I’m going to attack this non-father-dad-bod I’m developing.
So, follow along with me. It’ll be fun. I’m bound to push this challenge down to the very last hour of the very last day. That’s just how it’s going to end up. I know myself.
Gear & Sportswear I Used
Before I dive into my exhausting and emotional step challenge, here’s a look at some of the gear and sportswear I used along the way. Thanks to this quality setup, my journey was as comfortable, rewarding, and pain-free as possible.
My Step Challenge Journal
The fine print: My objective is to average 20,000 steps per day for the entire month of July. Sometimes I won’t hit my daily goal, but that’s okay. I’ll just have to walk a little more the next day.
Starting weight: 177.2 pounds | 80.4 kg Starting Body Mass Index: 24.7 (on the verge of ‘overweight’)
No More Procrastinating
My ridiculously affordable (and comfortable) Tesla running shoes
So, I had been planning all week to push this challenge back to August. My reasoning: this blog isn’t public yet, and this challenge will likely get lost behind others once I finally launch this website of mine.
That would be a cop-out, plain and simple. Why should I care if nobody’s watching? If I make excuses for myself not to follow through on my goals, I’m setting a dangerous precedent.
So, I decided to go for it. What do I have to lose?
That said, I got off to a bit of a slow start. 10:45 p.m. rolled around, and I had still only reached 11,000 steps. Damnit, I couldn’t dig myself into a hole on my very first day. I put on my fancy new running shoes and started moving.
My first big race against time was a mixture of jogging, wheezing, pitch-black sidewalks, staggering with my hands on my hips, coughing up god knows what, and generally feeling really out of shape.
11:50 struck, and I was still short of my goal. I sprinted as fast as I could but fell short by 53 steps – or 19 more seconds of running. I am sore and achy, but full of hope. This challenge is never going to be a walk in the park.
Digging Myself Into an Early Hole
Fine, I’ll admit it: I didn’t give it my best effort yesterday.
I finished 10,000 steps short of my goal. Oops. It might have something to do with me staying out crazy late and drinking beer with an old friend the night before. Who knows? There’s no way to measure these things.
I was starting to panic when 11:00 p.m. came about, and I had taken less than 5,000 steps. So, I did what any other exhausted, dehydrated, and hungover person would do: I got off the couch and ran across town on the 4th of July. Fireworks crackled overhead as my dog panicked and I moved slightly slower than usual.
Did I mention that taking 20,000 steps a day is not easy?
I’ve dug myself a bit of a hole early on, but I’m excited to see how I dig myself out. There will be more days that I fall well short of goals, but there will also be 30,000 step days. They’re coming, I promise.
Getting Steps in at 14,000 Feet
I took some quality steps yesterday, and almost all of them happened before 9:00 a.m. On the night of the 6th, I drove up to Kite Lake Trailhead (outside of Alma, Colorado) parked my camper van, and slept.
I awoke at 3:30 in the morning, ate a cold piece of pizza, fed my dog, and gathered my gear. I groggily poured myself out of my van and was met with a quiet moonlight. My friends, Matt and Antonio, were waiting for me by the trailhead. We yawned and stretched together and began our hike.
Summiting Mount Lincoln at sunrise
Now, these were hard-earned steps that we were taking. We huffed and puffed to the top of three different mountains over 14,000 feet in elevation: Mt. Bross, Mt. Lincoln, and Mt. Cameron. My friends completed a fourth, Mt. Democrat, but I ducked out because Bubba’s paws were starting to get tender.
The first week is in the books!
I’m slightly behind pace but have more big hikes planned later this month. My step challenge has already shown positive results. I feel lighter on my feet and full of energy at all times. Bubba and I are exploring the world together and enjoying every moment.
Enduring the Brutal Heat of Summer
The relentless Colorado sun doesn’t care if I have step goals
I picked the wrong week to start sleeping in.
After slacking off yesterday and putting off today’s steps until 2:00 p.m., I was forced to take a run in Colorado’s triple-digit Summer heat. I still have 13,969 steps to reach my daily goal. Today has been a bit of a learning experience.
Did I mention my house has no air conditioning?
TIP: Start Your Steps Early!
If you’re trying to hit a personal step goal, try to complete at least half of your steps before noon, especially in the summer. Procrastinating will force you to exert yourself during the hottest part of the day or rush yourself late into the night. I’ve made a bad habit of doing both.
Now, excuse me while I stand near my wide-open refrigerator.
Half Inspiration, Half Desperation
July 10th, 12:30 a.m.
I just finished power-walking, jogging, and sprinting around town for 15,000 steps in the final two hours of the day. That’s how my night went.
I feel great, though.
My new motto: ‘Half Inspiration, Half Desperation’
Trimming Up: My Midway Update
July 16th, 12:00 p.m.
Ah, the halfway point. It’s been an absolute grind. The steps don’t care if you’re tired, burnt out, hungover, have shit to do, or 100 degrees (38° Celsius) outside.
The steps are always waiting, screaming to be taken.
The last few days, my legs have felt heavy and taxed, especially when I’m running. My body has hit a wall. In spite of this, I have made some very noticeable progress.
Here are some of the physical differences that I have seen:
Midway weight: 172.6 pounds | 78.3 kg Midway BMI: 24.1
I’m slimming up, and it feels good. I’ve shed almost five pounds so far. My legs, although often fatigued, feel stronger and more stable. My energy levels are up, and my stamina is climbing. The blisters on my feet have turned to callouses, and I feel like I’m getting back towards ‘trail shape’ again.
Mentally, I feel sharper and more focused. I can organize my normally jumbled and erratic thoughts when I’m walking or running. Many future ideas for this website have come to me while I was racking up my steps.
Keri introduces Bubba to a frog while we get our steps in late at night
Bubba is thoroughly satisfied and exhausted regularly, something I never thought possible from a yellow lab. Instead of anxiously following me around the house waiting to be exercised, he is continually recharging for our next set of steps.
It’s safe to say that this challenge was a great idea. Here’s to the second half, where I must now average 21,437 steps a day.
A Furious Finish Ahead
So, I have some good news, and I have some bad news.
Let’s start with the good news: my girlfriend recently got back in town from China. She’s visiting for three weeks, and we’ve been having a great time! We even went to Las Vegas and ate at our favorite restaurant in the world.
Now, for the bad: Since, Las Vegas, I’ve put my steps on the back-burner. They haven’t been a priority, and my averages have dipped severely. I’ve dropped down to an average of 17,894, which doesn’t sound bad (but really is bad this late in the game).
During my last week, I will have to average 26,912 steps a day, which I have only surpassed once this month. I anticipate lots of late-night sprinting and early morning jogs. My sleep will suffer, but I will reach my goal. Maybe.
This Step Challenge is Brutal
July 29th, 12:08 p.m.
My calves are shot, and my legs are jelly. Pain is shooting up my IT band. My dog thinks I’m crazy. We’re exhausted.
I reached 30,000 steps for the first time this month (just as I promised I would). A few days ago I’d felt utterly pessimistic. I thought I had dug myself into a hole too deep, but yesterday’s total gives me new hope.
Today Bubba got excited and took twice the steps I did. Now he is tired.
I feel like a different person than when I started this challenge, but I guess that’s the point. In years past, I’ve gone months without ever running. Now, my days feel incomplete without it. The late nights exercising alone in the darkness are soothing and therapeutic, and I’m beginning to see how people get addicted.
Three days left — time to finish strong.
Never. Stop. Walking.
This morning I paced back and forth around the light rail station as I awaited my train. I followed that up with more aggressive marching around Union Station as I stacked up steps waiting for my bus. I looked like a madman with a million things racing through his head, furiously storming around and trying to make sense of it all.
And who’s to say that I’m not?
I have 32 miles (51.5 kilometers) left these final two days to reach my goal. Sometimes I’m just going to have to act like a lunatic along the way.
IT’S OVER.
August 1st, 12:23 a.m.
That’s it. Thank God it’s over.
My exhausting step challenge is done.
This last week my existence was consumed with reaching my goal. If I wasn’t working, I was walking. If I wasn’t walking, I was running — steps, steps, steps — all day long.
The grind is over, what a relief. My legs are spent, and I’m exhausted. I’m going to bed. Bring on a new challenge.
Daily Step Log
July 1st: 19,947
July 2nd: 21,158
July 3rd: 17,357
July 4th: 9,915
July 5th: 29,263
July, 6th: 12,885
July 7th: 23,348
July 8th: 5,311
July 9th: 25,850
July 10th: 20,662
July 11th: 20,750
July 12th: 15,751
July 13th: 16,769
July 14th: 20,665
July 15th: 18,952
July 16th:
23,225
July 17th: 21,232
July 18th: 11,574
July 19th: 20,596
July 20th: 10,054
July 21st: 8,639
July 22nd: 23,506
July 23rd: 14,037
July 24th:
20,168
July 25th: 27,148
July 26th: 23,103
July 27th: 19,580
July 28th: 35,793
July 29th: 18,675
July 30th: 37,093
July 31st: 27,627
Average: 20,021
Noel: Before and After
Without question, I took more steps this month than I ever have in my life. This challenge forced me to break out of my sedentary routine and get out in the world. I now feel lighter on my feet and healthier. My mind slows down, and my creativity blossoms while I’m on my feet. I lost five pounds, trimmed up noticeably, and created better habits for myself.
My future goal will be 12,000 steps a day. 20,000 steps a day is a bit much for now. I want to be active, but I don’t want my life to revolve around steps. Balance: that’s what I’m looking for.
Noel Before the Challenge
Noel After the Challenge
Noel’s Step Stats
| Total Steps Taken/Average Per Day | 620,637/20,021 |
| Kilometers/Miles Traveled | 480.89/298.81 |
| Most/Least Steps Taken in a Day | 37,093 (July 29th)/5,311 (July 8th) |
| Time Challenge was Completed | 11:17 p.m. on July 31st |
| Weight Loss | 5 pounds | 2.3 kg |
| Calories Burned | 19,880 |
| Total MiFit Battery Recharges | Two |
Try Your Own Step Challenge
When will you begin your own step challenge?
I recommend the 20,000 steps a day challenge to anyone who wants to become more active. Steps are effortlessly countable, easy to achieve, and take you places you may never have gone otherwise.
You will notice changes both mentally and physically and will find yourself out in the world, thinking clearly and moving freely.
Some days the challenge will feel more like a chore. You may doubt yourself and struggle at times, but you will come out on the other end, a stronger and more determined person.
Even if you look like a maniac as you pace around the occasional bus station.
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Hey, I’m Noel Krasomil. I pack light and explore the globe searching for awe-inspiring hiking trails, rich cultural experiences, and ways to continue traveling indefinitely.
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