Walking : How many steps per day should... - Bone Health and O...

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Walking

Sadie1024 profile image
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How many steps per day should I be walking? I have -2.5 bone density at the hip bones prior to taking PREDNISONE and I have been taking PREDNISONE 15 mg each day for 15 months, I have PMR.

I consume daily, 1500mg calcium, Vit. K2, Vit.D3 and have been doing this for 15 mo this.

I walked 5000 steps each day during the summer but this winter I have only walked and average of 1000 steps each day.

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Sadie1024
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HeronNS profile image
HeronNS

I can get 3000 steps just walking around my home in ordinary living. Do you only count the steps you do on an "official" walk? I think one aims for a total of 10,000 steps per day, but if you aren't used to it you should build up the distance slowly. Also, that 10,000 steps is fairly random and I've read somewhere that in order to maintain your joints for a lifetime 6000 steps is a safer distance. On the other hand I figure I haven't that many more years left and there were decades when I know I didn't walk anything like the optimum distance so have some catching up to do!

Sadie1024 profile image
Sadie1024 in reply toHeronNS

I only count the steps on a walk or on the tread mill

AnnieW55 profile image
AnnieW55

Latest thinking is 10mns 3 times a day is good (Michael Moseley BBC programme on this on 31st Jan should still be on I-player. An excerpt below.). Although the thinking is for brisk walking, not sure if this is ok with your conditions. Also this NHS website has a community for Active 10 which might be useful to look st if you weren’t aware of it.

“When we looked at the volunteers' results, two out of the three asked to do 10,000 steps had managed to hit their target. But they had all struggled.

The Active 10 group, on the other hand, had found it relatively easy. They had formed a small walking group and met together at convenient times during their working day to go for a brisk walk together.

So 10,000 steps was harder to achieve - but which activity was better for health?

Prof Copeland had analysed the data from their tracking monitors and he said the findings were very clear.

"The Active 10 group actually did 30% more 'moderate to vigorous physical activity' than the 10,000-step group, even though they moved for less time.

"And it's when you are doing moderate intensity activity that you are starting to get the greatest health benefits."

So even though the Active 10 group spent less time actually moving, they spent more time getting out of breath and increasing their heart rate.

Granted the longer walking time to get to 10000 would have more impact on your bones but the fact that anything is being done at all is of benefit.

Apologies if I have misunderstood your question and the mechanics of how exercise and PMR go together.

Sadie1024 profile image
Sadie1024 in reply toAnnieW55

Thank you for the great information

Kaarina profile image
Kaarina

I have no idea really how many steps is good to achieve in a day. I have a pedometer, nothing fancy and usually do 10,000 - 13,000+ a day and sometimes in the week many more, as I belong to a walking group once a week. It is only a short walk but really adds on the steps, especially as I do half an hours walk before I meet the group. I enjoy walking now so that is my main daily exercise each day. I used to cycle most places but gave that up when I began to have joint replacements and was frightened of falling off the bike. Walking is weight bearing and cycling is not unless one is going up hill pedalling standing up! ;)

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