Is 10,000 steps a day too much?

Frankly I think this is all a load of rubbish.

Everything in moderation!

Mum lived until 101, my aunt until 96, they had never heard of this silliness.

My mother’s motto was “I’d rather wear out rather than rust out” and to this end she was as active as she felt happy with.

It all gets too intense imo.

At 71, I found 10,000 too much, and was get stressed trying to average 10k/day over a week. And I was getting very tired after a walk. I switched to 7,500.
Imagine my delight when Naga Munchetty told me this morning that 7.5k was enough!

I think all these “targets” are entirely arbitrary, certainly the 10,000 one was when first used as a publicity gimmick.
But more walking and more exercise are good for us and if you walk that bit more to meet some self- imposed target, you will benefit.
Plantar fasciitis is caused by tight calf muscles, possibly aggravated by the wrong shoes, but not usually by walking itself.
I suffered for 6 months a couple of years ago and found a combination of calf stretching exercises twice a day, wearing Birkenstock clog slippers in the house( never bare feet ) and occasional shock wave therapy from a podiatrist saw it off.

It was on the r4 Today programme this morning. Apparently 7000 is fine, but basically any movement is better than none.

I was out the other day and did 16,000 steps but to look at me I don’t seem super fit but I like a good walk. The most I have recorded was 24,000. My favourite cliff walk so a hard one, but the views are fantastic. ,

Grammaretto

I find even reading about all these steps exhausting!😀

If I get the urge to do some exercise, I lie down until the urge goes away.

Granmaretto, I love you!,

GrandmaKT

Just a word of warning - we did 10,000 steps a day every day for 5 months during lockdown. (We were looking after our 16 month old DGS, didn't have a car, and there wasn't a lot to do other than walk, pushing him in the buggy! I developed plantar fasciitis ( a very painful heel condition) and 3 years later am still suffering. Don't over-do it! I would say 5000 steps a day is ample.

Just seen this thread.

Try Fitflop footwear. I had plantar fascitis once - for just a few weeks. Read about Fitflop footwear and bought a couple of pairs and just wore them when out. Job done - problem solved. Thankfully they do make some attractive and normal-looking footwear - as I would never consider wearing "medical" looking footwear even on a temporary basis.

10,000 steps a day? Or 7,000?
The Lancet has just published a report saying that it is not necessary to walk 10,000 steps a day and 7,000 is enough. The idea of 10,000 steps a day has always been wrong!
In East Asia, including China and Japan, the number 10,000 merely signifies "A lot!". When the Chinese say "May you live 10,000 years!" they do not really expect it of course. It just means "A long life to you!" It is the rough equivalent of hearing in English "I've told you a million time not to do that!" They haven't really as we know.
Many Asian counting systems use multiples of ten thousands whereas in the West we go from thousands then jump to millions.
We fell into a culture gap with fit bits, smart watches and pixel watches etc.

Maggiemaybe I often have people looking for my dog when walking footpaths around our village. Although I haven't had a comment like the one you received.

Currently I am walking with my blackberrying bag. I have 5lbs and hope to get more.

We are actually allowed to walk in the woods without a dog!

Though I did meet a woman on a lockdown walk who asked me where mine was and said she didn’t think people without dogs went out for walks.

I think the key word here for all those satisfied is 'dog'. Because it's not just the steps ...I mean the steps don't distinguish between walking round a supermarket or through the woods...the doggies get you to the woods which is doubly good for you.

Someone shared this article recently that said a lot less than 10000 was necessary. If you walk 5000 you are getting most of the health benefits. Anything above this only makes a marginal difference. I try to average 10000 a day but fail miserably as my average is closer to 7000 - typically there are a few days a week when I hardly walk for whatever reason.

www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12385553/Dont-worry-fall-short-10000-steps-day.html

We try to walk at least 8,000 steps a day, but often achieve 14,000 or more. DH is 71 and has heart failure. We have built up our steps gradually. Do you have a friend who would like to go for walks? Maybe join a local rambling club. My Grandad walked up to 10 miles a day well into his 80's. He cut that to a 6 mile round trip to the newsagents every day until the day he died aged 96, when my Auntie found him asleep with his cup of tea and the newspaper open on his lap.

Just a word of warning - we did 10,000 steps a day every day for 5 months during lockdown. (We were looking after our 16 month old DGS, didn't have a car, and there wasn't a lot to do other than walk, pushing him in the buggy! I developed plantar fasciitis ( a very painful heel condition) and 3 years later am still suffering. Don't over-do it! I would say 5000 steps a day is ample.

10K steps a day is doable but depends on your health and fitness. I would not want to do it everyday on my own as it would get boring. I am a member of a couple of rambling groups and often do more than 10K but it never seems so far when you are chatting.

Spidergran3
As others have said, the 10k steps daily target has been debunked - and was probably aimed at much younger people anyway.
DH, whose steps are shorter than mine always has a higher step count when we go out together. I’d rather look at distance, and then look at our dog’s Fitbit, which shows that she has run at least 3 times as far as we’ve walked.

I’ve recently purchased a Garmin Vivosmart 5 Health & fitness tracker. I love the way it daily varies my recommended steps total depending on average daily activity and based on my age and other health data. It’s usually between 3-5k. Health issues make it difficult for me to get a set daily total of steps in or do a decent walk. But as long as I’m active and manage some walks during a week I’m OK with that. I think the stress of struggling to reach a set target is counter productive. As others have said, the 10k daily target has been debunked - and was probably aimed at much younger people anyway.

I'm 82 and walk 3 mile most days, so clearly doable, well for me, as I don't have arthritis or rheumaticy joints. A lady i know who is 93 walks two mile daily.

Aveline

My Fitbit isn't a fancy one and I don't pay any extra for online extras with it. I find it reassuring re my heart rate, sleep, steps and active zone minutes. It also shows how long I've been sitting all day which always gets me up out of my seat!

That’s the bit that makes me laugh, Aveline. It always seems to remind me to stand, in the middle of Only Connect!

I would say - don’t do it! A 10,000 step goal may actually cause you some discomfort, not to mention added chance of twisting an ankle or falling and breaking a bone.

At our senior ages we should do just enough to stay healthy and that would vary by everyone’s individual health status, age and mobility. Use common sense. Your dog walking duty sounds like plenty to me. Once the pup goes home do try to keep up the number of steps each day… then go home and take a nap. 😉

Never leave home without your phone in your pocket!
USA Gundy

My Fitbit isn't a fancy one and I don't pay any extra for online extras with it. I find it reassuring re my heart rate, sleep, steps and active zone minutes. It also shows how long I've been sitting all day which always gets me up out of my seat!

I do around 14,000 steps on a Monday - combination of my 90 minute walking group and the 45 minute walk home afterwards (I get the bus up there lol, otherwise that would be another 5000 steps!). So, over two hours to do that many steps - but I only do that once a week and I am only 54, albeit with osteoarthritis in both knees. Most days I average around 5000 steps which, as I understand it, is more than sufficient to maintain good health. 10,000 is an arbitrary figure, rather like 5 a day or 14 units of alcohol a week - we are all different and you need to work out what suits you, your body and your schedule.

I have a Fitbit and used to extol the virtues of the device. It got me active after living a very sedentary lifestyle and has been partly responsible for enabling me to lose nearly 6 stones in weight over the last few years.

Sadly the things that motivated me most - competing with other Fitbit wearers, and completing challenges have been removed since google took over the company.

I still have a target of 8000 steps a day but rarely achieve it now except on days when I really make the effort to go out and walk.

My DD gave up her Fitbit and invested in a different brand. She was a premium user too. I can't really afford to change but when my current model reaches the end of its life I will be looking at others too.

Like another poster I try to concentrate on active minutes too but wonder if that 150 minutes a week is also an arbitrary figure.

I still enjoy my weekly 'Simply Walk' with a local group followed by a sociable coffee in the local village hall, but need to find a way of motivating myself again on a daily basis.

I’m a 10,000 a day gal, and I am 77. My husband says having me for a wife is a bit like owning a dog - I have to go for at least two walks a day or I start getting grumpy 😂😂😂I LOVE being outdoors. However , in life, just do what makes you happy. Don’t plod on for miles if you are mot enjoying it

If I can manage 2,000 steps per day then that is a good day. Depends how my disability affects me any particular day if I get that far. Just being able to walk some days makes it a good day.

My phone is linked to my watch …..I put watch on first thing in morning . Even in days I don’t ‘walk for steps’ ..I seem to do between 2000-3000 steps just around house and garden …..I aimed for 8000 after my last stroke in 2021….I don’t always make it as I’ve had a torn cartridge for 6 months….si I’m struggling….but I swim 3 times per week and it all helps.