Pedometer.....??

[teresahg]

Hi there- I wanted some thoughts- does anyone out there find that having a pedometer helps them? Thinking of buying one but also wanted to know if it makes any difference....

thanks, T.

[alhaurin]

Morning, a friend of mine swears by hers as she says it acts as a brilliant prompt to her and makes her less sluggish, only thing I would say that some models count the steps even if you are only slightly moving, and I have been told that the ones worn on the wrist are too sensitive and count if you scratch your nose!!!! But having one will for sure focus you on getting moving. I have just joined and will be getting one so we can get walking and counting together.

[teresahg in reply to alhaurin]

thank you very much for your encouragement- gonna try and find one to get today!

[teresahg in reply to alhaurin]

Hi there- yes well I have mine now and clip it onto my robe first thing in the morning and take it off of my trousers last thing at night- I love it! The first day was a work day and I counted over 12,000 - which I believe is about 3 miles. Then yesterday wasn't a work day and I still did over 9,000- which included going to see a film in the evening! It's a good way for me to make certain I do over 10,000 per day though. How are you doing?

[fibronfedup]

I have a fitness tracker band that i wear like a watch. I wouldnt be without it now. Keeps me focused on staying active and makes me aware of my steps done each day. Has been a great motivator to me as i have daily goals of steps to work towards research different types and find one that works for you

[teresahg in reply to fibronfedup]

thanks very much- will look into them- how many steps do you do each day? I mean what's normal and what's active to work towards?

[fibronfedup in reply to teresahg]

Hey no problem at the moment i average 9800 per day but have been aiming for an average of 10000 per day this last week, at work im on my feet alot so rack them up quite well and days off i always try to go for a walk, what i did when i first started was write down what i did each day for a week, then improve on it, go at your own pace so if you start at 5000 per day up it by 500-1000 for the first week then so on, you will be surprised how quickly they all add up. Let me know how it goes

[teresahg in reply to fibronfedup]

Good morning- well I love it- it's so much fun. The first day was a work day and I did over 12,000 which I think is about 3 miles. Then yesterday wasn't a work day but I still totted up over 9,000. I'm not able to run due to foot troubles but walk lots and intend to do more. Still doing 1400 cals though and have only lost 1/2 stone in over a month. Feels better but as I want to lose another stone- need to do something more.

Thanks for your response- how are you doing?

[fibronfedup in reply to teresahg]

Hey glad you are enjoying it and seeing results, weight loss can be slow but really beneficial as its easier to maintain that way i find. Im doing well had a good week managed to get to 20000 steps yesterday as went to beale park with my mate and her little boy, was 1.4 miles from the station to the park alone so lots of walking and feel great as a year a go i wouldve really struggled even went on the climbing frames with him till a 4 year old girl said you are probably to big for this (as in age i hope) at which point i laughed and told her she was right then proceeded to go eat fruit lol. Have a lovely weekend im back at work allday today so will hit my steps target today nicely

[elliebath Maintainer]

In a word, yes. Last year when I started my weight loss journey, I bought a basic pedometer ( it was about £15 I think ) . It clips onto my jeans waistband . It has three readings: number of steps, distance covered , calories burned. I do not run. But I walk and I generally try to meet 10000 steps a day. The pedometer motivates me to move more. By calorie counting and using Myfitnesspal , I have lost 30lbs and am now maintaining my target weight , BMI 22.7 . I am 62 and feel ten years younger. Good luck with your journey.

[gingernut49]

I have a Fitbit Zip - it's a great motivator and you become totally addicted to exercise! Last year I walked or ran over 1800 miles. I have mine linked to Bounts too (bounts.it) and I get points if I've covered over 7000 steps in a day and these convert to vouchers to spend in shops and supermarkets. I usually get a £5 voucher every six weeks or so.

I'll often go for an extra walk in the evening if I'm low on steps for the day as I aim at 10,000 per day which is around five miles. You can set goals on your Fitbit dashboard so if that's too much for you at first you can aim at, say, 5,000 steps a day and work up from there.

They open you up to a world of fun walks, such as those on walking4fun.com where you can link your fitbit to it and virtually walk various routes. I'm virtually walking the Chemin Le Puy en route to Santiago di Compostela and also virtually walking from John O'Groats to Lands End on Facebook!

[teresahg in reply to gingernut49]

Good morning- thanks for your reply. I've had it for 3 days now- and the first was a work day and I did over 12,000. Yesterday wasn't and I only did 9,000. I love it though as it makes me feel like I'm consciously doing something towards my health etc. Your apps sound like so much fun but my teenage daughter has just informed me that my phone isn't able to get apps. Ugh.

Onwards and upwards!

[gingernut49 in reply to teresahg]

The motivational things I mentioned aren't apps, they're on websites, so link away!

[binksk]

I have one on my phone Pacer, I downloaded it because I read that walking 10,000 steps a day can help you loose weight, it turns out I walk over 10,000 everyday so I've had to set myself a new target, I started off at doing more than 80,000 a week and once I reached it, put the next weeks target up!! Maybe download an app first or get a cheap one to see if it motivates you! No point spending a lot of money on something you'll only end-up putting in a draw!! Good Luck, let us know how many steps you manage x

[Hidden]

Thanks for the replies I've been wondering about getting some kind of step tracker so your info was really helpful

[fenbadger]

It all depends on YOU and how you get motivated. You may get one free from your surgery if you ask nicely. I did. Useless for me. Nurse said we want 6000 steps out of you. I was doing 6000 before lunch break every day and a similar amount on my days off, as I'm an outdoor type, so they were already preaching to the converted. The problem was my eating, not my exercise.

Others find them invaluable.

[teresahg in reply to fenbadger]

Thanks yes, on work days I do over 12,000 which I believe is like 3 miles. Doesn't seem like many to me though. Yesterday when not working I did almost 9,000 and that was with going to see a film! And still only have lost 7 pounds in over a month and a half on 1400 cals. Harumph!

thanks for your response

[fenbadger in reply to teresahg]

That's actually not bad, and at least it's going down not up. Each lb is a small victory and extends your life time so you have more time to achieve the goal and enjoy it. My loss rate is not much quicker, but over a stone has gone, so I'm happy with that, and feel loads better than I did a year ago