Every time school kicks off, I notice my physical health tends to slide because I get so caught up in my studies, especially around exam time. Gym trips? They usually fall off my to-do list. So, I wanted to find a simple way to stay active without taking up too much time or effort. Since walking is already part of my daily routine (thanks to commuting), I thought, “Why not aim for 10,000 steps a day for a week?” Here’s how it went:
Day One:
Before this challenge, I averaged around 6,000 steps a day. To hit 10,000, I decided to walk to the grocery store (about 1 km away) instead of taking the bus. Adding 4,000 steps felt like a big jump! So, yay for that!
Day Two:
I woke up feeling a little more used to the idea of walking 10,000 steps. Since I didn’t have class that day, I was at home, which meant fewer steps from my usual routine. To make up for it, I took a walking break in the middle of my study session. At first, I found it a bit frustrating to add another task to my day. The rainy, cold weather made me feel unmotivated to leave the house. However, once I got moving, it felt great. I ended up feeling happier and more relaxed afterward, so it was worth it. Plus, it was a nice break from staring at my textbooks!
Day Three:
To make hitting my 10,000 steps easier, I decided to take the long way to class and get off the bus one stop earlier. Breaking the steps into smaller chunks made it less overwhelming, and I didn’t have to do a huge walk all at once. However, this method isn’t ideal if you’re in a rush, as it takes longer to get to places.
Day Four, Five, Six:
I got a little more organized and started scheduling my walking breaks in my Google calendar. This was a game-changer! I’ve definitely had days where I get so absorbed in studying or other tasks that I forget to walk. However, having it on my calendar meant I had no excuse to skip it. It also kept me on track, ensuring I got those steps in throughout the day.
Day Seven – Final Thoughts:
By the end of the week, I was genuinely surprised by how much easier it had gotten. My body had adjusted to the 10,000 steps, and it didn’t feel like such a big deal anymore. In fact, it seemed like the steps went by way faster than I expected! I tried a few different strategies (like walking to nearby places instead of taking the bus) and planning my walking breaks, and those really helped. While I didn’t notice any weight changes, I definitely felt more energized throughout the day. Plus, hitting that 10,000-step goal every day gave me a real sense of accomplishment.
Would I recommend the 10,000 steps challenge?
Definitely! If you’re feeling overwhelmed, start small with 4,000 steps a day and work your way up. I used the Health app on my iPhone to track my steps, but there are other great apps out there, like Charity Miles or Pedometer++, that you might want to try.
Let me know if you give it a go, and I’d love to hear how it goes for you!
