Member Stories

Hi everyone,-I started the

“Hi everyone, I started the 10,000 steps program two weeks ago, on the same day I stopped smoking after 20 years. I haven\'t had a cigarette since and I am averaging 12,200 steps per day. I\'m not sure if I feel better yet and I haven\'t weighed myself or anything. This program is just one more thing I can focus on instead of smoking. ”

I've been in this

“I've been in this program for about 4 weeks now and I'm so proud to say that my average steps is about 14,000 a day! This is more excersise than I've ever done in my life and I'm very happy to say that I'm making a positive difference to my health and my life. I have now resolved to make a huge effort to change my diet from next week, because while I'm being very active, my eating habits are keeping me from really making a difference to my weight. Writing this here online is one way for me to commit, so wish me luck and keep up the inspiring stories and helpful hints! Happy stepping!”

Hi everyone,-Just thought I'd

“Hi everyone, Just thought I'd give you an update. I am pleased to say that i have lost 8kg and feeling so much better for it. My jeans are beginning to get baggy. I'm feeling fitter. I can manage 10000 steps however i have noticed my toes are going numb on one foot. I'm hoping with more weight loss that this will disappear as i believe it is just poor circulation to the area (If anyone else suffers this let me know).I've chosen to have two walks a day instead of one big one, as this seems to help. keep up the good work and keep on walking. JAK”

yeeeeee,haaaaaaa, just clicked over

“yeeeeee,haaaaaaa, just clicked over my first million. G.D.S”

Hi there gang,--I had

“Hi there gang, I had a old treadmill I brought for "SHE WHO MUST BE OBEYED" (wife) for Christmas one year, anyway guys you know the story, she went like a steam train for a week or two then the only exercise the treadmill was used for was the spiders doing pushups on. I now have the treadmill setup under the house with a DVD player and TV. I put on a DVD and walk/run for a hour on so its great exercise. Also men I know the footie is over but next season move the beer fridge. Put it in another room or move it upstairs, you will get more steps. The more you drink the more steps you get. Captain Percy The Pring Piggies. ”

Well I started a

“Well I started a much needed diet today, Im 80kgs and 173cms tall. My baby boy is now 8 months old and I think I can no longer use the excuse "oh Ive just had a baby!!" I have a good 10kgs to lose and I think this website is just the motivation I need. Wish me luck!! Bye Emma”

Like the person who

“Like the person who wrote on Sept 27, I also have asthma, am extremely overweight, have multiple joint and back problems, and have suffered from depression. Joining the 10000 steps program last year is one of the best things I ever did. I have lost weight, and both my physical and mental health have improved enormously. For the first time in decades I have experienced a hospital-free year. Most people find it difficult to start a new good habit. Getting a friend to walk with you and increasing your steps a little bit each day helps. When I first began walking, I could only last a minute or two, now I can easily walk for more than an hour. Also walking somewhere nice, like a park, and varying my walks keeps my motivation higher.”

Hi everyone, just a

“Hi everyone, just a quick note to say how great everyone is going on the 10000 steps, I had been walking with friends for a few months before joining (mainly to loose some much needed weight) and to try and get my own body back again. 10000 steps gave us that added incentive and I'm pleased to say I have gone from 94kgs to 69.6kgs (this took me 16 months to do). I can now average around 15000 steps a day, 19000 on a really good day plus extra activities which I was really missing like horse ridding, swimming and even bike ridding. My husband and kids are thrilled with my progress and my new look. Here is some advice for the people to think they cant do it, always think to yourself "I can do anything I want to do, one more step will not kill me" I have and I now feel great Keep up the good work and keep on walking Happy walker”

I've just been on

“I've just been on the site for a week and I'm trying to work my steps a day up from not quite 2000 a day. I'm extremely overweight, have asthma and arthritis in my knees along with suffering from depression. It is a struggle each day to try to get some walking in. The stories I've read have been inspiring, so that is good. I just need to keep that spark of inspiration going so that I can slowly increase my steps. Thanks to all who have shared their stories, you are helping whether you know it or not!”

Hi again everyone Tony

“Hi again everyone Tony g. here. Just to give an update. Since joining I am still averaging approx. 17000 steps per day,which gives about 120000 steps per week. This is taking in to account any extra activity I do whilst not wearing the pedometer. I do some heavy physical work at times which helps with fitness,as well as walking over 12000 steps on work days. I am hoping to reach 6000000 steps buy christmas. I know that over the christmas break, I will be on holidays so,my steps will more than likely drop off. But that will be the challenge for evryone I think, come to that time of year. Anyway hope everyone is still enjoying the program, and benefiting from it. Keep on stepping, Tony g. ”

Hi everyone. What a

“Hi everyone. What a wonderful and useful website i stumbled upon. I just started my program, it's been a week. I'm only averaging 9000 steps a day at the moment, however it's improving everyday. I work in the public health industry and know too well how important an active lifestyle and healthy diet are for an individuals wellbeing. With that said i haven't been the best role model. At 5'4", and 108kg (last week). I'm 103kg now thanks to my pedometer and new healthy eating program. I'm just lucky i have never had high blood pressure, cholesterol, or blood sugars (I'm 35). Just low self esteem and no motivation. That was then and this NOW. My journey has begun and so too has that of many of my colleagues as i have become a provider. STAY TUNED. Jak”

Hi All,--So glad to

“Hi All, So glad to see so many new people finding out about this great site. Well I have been counting steps for two months now and I found out last night that my cholesterol levels have finally hit the normal range, even though I have taken medication for it for over 2 years, it never seemed to change. My cholesterol has never before been below 7.8 (have been having it checked for about 14 years now)... yesterday my result was 4.8... Yeah... Keep on walking... Kathy”

Well I finally made

“Well I finally made the 1 million step mark. Although I started using the site and took awhile to get into the habit of walking and recording it, it wasn't until I set a daily goal that I started to really improve. It is important to set goals even the daily goal limit but it is even better to have goals to improve your your daily best, weekly best, monthly best or a date to hit your first million. I wanted to get to 1 million by the 31 August and I made it and the feeling was very good. I told everyone around me that I was going to do it and I did. Now my next target is my 2nd million by 31 December (one month less than the first million took). Another thing that motivated me was reading all the great stories of all the people that make the time to get 10000 steps in their day and I thought if they can do it, than I have no excuses. Thanks for the great site and keep walking everyone and get others into it. Cheers Noleen Queensland, Australia”

I stumbled across this

“I stumbled across this web site and immediately thought this is for me. Absolutely perfect, I love walking. Now I have a purpose, a goal to reach. Something to push me just that little bit further. In just one week my jeans have gone from painfully tight to snug tight. What will happen in two weeks, a month or even a year. I'm spreading the story of this site far and wide. Thank you to the people behind this wonderful idea.”

Hey All,-I'm a 21-y-o

“Hey All, I'm a 21-y-o woman, at 92kg, which sounds a little on the heavy side, and even more so when you realise that I'm 5'4"!! I have had some health issues, (not related to weight) since I was 13, and these are only made worse by the weight. Like so many others, I've tried 'everything', that umbrella word, meaning about 50 things, for at least five minutes, or until I or my partner decide enough is enough. I refuse to have powder-and-water-shake-meals, order food from diet companies, count calories, or attend a gym. The gym thing is a confidence issue. Don't ya just feel so FAT looking at all the people who are so fit?? Well, one foot in a gym and I feel like a heifer! HOWEVER - I love walking, and have often wondered just how much more I need to do, aside from work and housework, to make it to the goal. So on with the new pedometer, and away we go. I must say a big 'thanks' to my Latin Dance teacher for adding a good 6000 steps to my wednesdays!! I've only been at it a few days so far, so lets just see! I've got a ball in December for my partner's Regiment (yes, he's one of those wonderful men protecting our country, off all over the world for 7 months at a stretch), and for a REALLY BIG CHANGE would like NOT to be the fattest woman under 40! Lets see if 10 000 Steps and I can do it... It's great not to be alone any more, and great work to everyone, you've inspired ME to try something new. Luv u all Kat”

Hi all just to

“Hi all just to let people know how I have been doing. One of the benifits for me has been in waight loss. when we started I was 93Kls to day I hopped on the scales and I am presently 89.5 all in less than three months. great feeling. I found these helped- Tips: walk with buddy - Drink water before and after walks - plan your walks for the week and review -celibrate small achivements -dont be critical of self. Stay positive.”

Hi, i'm an aspiring

“Hi, i'm an aspiring AFL umpire and I enjoy running around the field for multiple reasons, fitness, teamwork building, knowledge of the laws, pay reward, increased social activities, but most of all its an important and key way to monitor my hard work with the 10,000 STEPS pedometer. ive had it on all throughout august and totalled a monster 220,280 steps in just the 1 month! for those who like statistics: it was a distance of 145.32km burning a massive 10,229.9 calories with an average days running being 15,734.29 steps or 10.38kms. Over the month i reached a maximum of 27,870 steps or 18.39km and a minimum of 8400 steps / 5.54km on a day during the month. I'm 173cm tall and weigh in at a stable 66kg with an average step length of 66cm. Over the course of next year I am looking forward to see how well I can manage energy consumption to energy output. But it just goes to show you that just because you are already fit doesnt mean that the pedometer is not for you. I thought the same until I put it to a researchable use and now I can improve each month and the evidence will show during finals selections when my fitness dominates and allows me to make clear,consistant,confident decisions during games. I never walk on the field without it now. Thank you 10,000 Steps! Anthony ”

REPLY to Sore Feet

“REPLY to "Sore Feet" 30th July Firstly: Congratulations to everyone! I work in Helath Promotion for Qld Health and one of my roles is to promote 10,000 Steps. It is grea to read these stories and see how much it changes people's attitudes to physicl activity - and how it changes their life! People always want that "magic pill" for health. But people fail to realise that WE HAVE IT ALREADY: its called active lifestyles and healty eating! Secondly: To Sore Feet: jsut a few things that spring to mind regardig feet. 1. make sure you have correct footwear - go to a sports store and get them fitted corectly and make sure they know what activity you are doing. I am a run and do aerobics and I have different shoes for each activity due to the different support required. 2. have you increased your activitiy dramatically? it is recommended that you increase your activity gradually at about 10-15% each week. This is especially important for people running as you don't want to overload your body - a 10% increase in distance is recommended. 3. are your shoes old? Old shoes have less support and less stability so look at getting some new ones if you are quite active. Shoes should be changed about 3-6 months. 4. what socks are you wearing? try to find socks that add cushioning. (coolmax or similar are good) I actually wear 2 pairs of socks when I run and I found that this reduces soreness. Hope these tips provide you with some good advice. Happy stepping! Renae Senior Health Promotion Officer (Physical Activity) Tropical Population Health Unit- Townsville Renae_Gordon@health.qld.gov.au”

I have been doing

“I have been doing the challenge for a month now and went in for a check up and I no longer have a high thyroid and do not have to take synthroid for it. I have been on synthroid for five years. I am now walking 20,000 steps a day and started with 10,000. I haven't lost any weight but I feel better and I'm no longer taking three naps a day.None now.I feel better than I have in years.”

Following Prostate Cancer Surgery

“Following Prostate Cancer Surgery late 2005 began fitness recovery in May 2006. Try to walk 12K 6 days a week with one day rest. Have completed Jetty to Jetty and Bridge to Brisbane as part of the program. Any Gentlemen out there over the age of 50 who has not had PSA test for prostate cancer I urge you to have one. (PSA - Prostate Specific Antigen, a simple blood test) It saved my life, if I had not been diagnosed when I was, I would be fighting for my life now. I received a lot of support from the Pros Can support group and all they asked in return was that I pass on the message as widely as I can. This I do with pleasure and gratitude. ”

G'day. I am a

“G'day. I am a semi-retired Secondary Teacher who, like many, has finally lost the 'battle of the bulge' through a combination of menopause, love of chocolate and a more sedentary lifestyle these days. I am a movie lover and spend way too much time sitting watching them! A couple of years ago, I got quite sick while travelling overseas, lost about 6 kilos, then 4 or 5 more after joining a well-known food delivery program and trying to walk 10,000 steps a day - even bought a dog to give me a reason to walk but alas, I got lazy again and the weight is starting to creep back on as I find lots of excuses NOT to walk. Today I found this site whilst looking for information on healthy exercise in yet another bid to get the kilos off before I leave for ANTARCTICA at Christmas. I don't want to be the middle-aged lady who has to be helped all the time because I am too unfit and lacking in agility to manage adequately. I want to live till I die and as I plan to live to a ripe old age like my 89 year old mother, I am about to start again after finding this website. WISH ME LUCK!”

It has been a

“It has been a month today, since joining the 10,000 steps program. Well today I couldn't resist and did another health assessment... Wow! am I glad I did.. Since starting my weight has not changed, but I have dropped 3 cm from both my waist and hips... My resting heart rate has dropped by 20 bpm.. I am averaging over 12500 steps a day (even though I have a major drop over the weekend.. I am still hitting that mark as an average. I am loving it. On Sunday nights, I feel a bit bad that I haven't done much over the weekend, so I end up walking around the lounge room after everyone goes to bed. Last Sunday I did 248 laps around the 2 chairs in the lounge room. I am right when I tell people that if I can do it, so can they. I am a bit worried though about the upcoming hot months, does anyone else have ideas.”

Hi everyone,my name is

“Hi everyone,my name is tony.Like a couple of others,I joined the 10000 steps program as an initiative of Queensland Rail and a promotion for mens health week.So i have been in the program now for about 5 months,and have just clocked up two and a half million steps.Being that I lost my car in an acccident about a year and a half ago,so being on foot ever since I found that the walking is easy enough going to and from work and walking around the worksite,to make the 10000 steps per day.I am enjoying the challenges put forward each month,this month I am actually attempting to fit in twenty days at thirteen thousand.I have always been fairly fit and this is a way to keep up that mentality.Occasionally I would find on a lazy weekend that my step count is only about 3000 or so by the afternoon,so I make myself get outside and do a walk.This could be just around the block or if I am down on the steps,a half an hour walk to Toombul shopping centre and back.I hope that all the people in the program are getting enough encouragement and enjoyment out of the exercise.I have been reading some very inspirational stories over the last couple of months that prove,it is not just how far you travel physically,but how far you travel mentally and spiritually as well.Keep up the good work everyone, Tony G. ”

Hi, I've been wearing

“Hi, I've been wearing a pedometer for years and recording my steps each night. I'd heard years ago that we needed to try to walk 10,000 steps each day & so I've attempted to do this,with a 2km swim every second day. How excited I was when I tripped upon your web site accidently, traded my old pedometer immediately for your 10,000 step one & off I trott. I feel wonderful, I'm NEVER at the Dr's. & love life. I'm 46, and have just purchased a home with lots of stairs & loving it. G.D.S.”

hi all,-i was really

“hi all, i was really excitted when i was given a pedometer!!!!(this is my first week) on an average day i do 19000-21000 which may sound crazy but i do it easily. im a school student so pretty active but every day consists of jogging in the morning and walking in the afternoons. and walking to meals but yeh. im very happy to know i have a active life!!!”