Simple Exercise Plan: 10,000 Steps Challenge

Simple Exercise Plan

The good news: My jeans finally fit comfortably again.

The bad news: They’re maternity jeans and I’m not pregnant.*

I seriously need to get back into my old jeans, primarily because they have pockets I can stuff with chewed bubble gum, used tissues, rocks, and every other imaginable treasure my little explorers hand me.  Therefore, I need to kick up the exercise a bit…as in, start doing it.

So…what am I gonna do about it?

I’m glad you asked.

To help me on my journey, some of my daughters and I have joined J-La-Sta’s 10,000 Walking Steps Challenge as she describes at A Work in Progress.  It’s really quite simple.

You need some of these (in your own size)

Simple Exercise Plan

and one of these (the pedometer, not the cutie, although I highly recommend a few of those around the house)

Simple Exercise Plan

and you do this.

Simple Exercise Plan

That’s it!

What are the details of the challenge?

The challenge runs for twelve weeks beginning on January 8 (but jump in whenever you can). 

Track your steps daily and enter your day’s total in the online log found through A Work in Progress, or keep your own records for a personal challenge.

Your goal is to work up to a consistent average of 10,000 steps a day.

While there is a small prize involved, the ultimate prize is improving your fitness and activity levels…and fitting into jeans with pockets.

I love the low commitment involved in this simple exercise plan.  All you have to do is walk—anywhere, anytime, wearing anything (but preferably something).  Walking Miss Colic back and forth counts.  Taking my three-year-old to the bathroom counts, too!  Taking laps in the backyard counts.  Running away from the neighbor’s dog while screaming like a sissy totally counts…maybe even double.

How do you sign up?

J-La-Sta has set up a team challenge board to keep each other encouraged (or challenged, depending on your personality), which you can access through A Work in Progress.  Leave a comment on her post and follow the link.  She’ll add you to the team.

Don’t have a pedometer?

J-La-Sta uses this pedometer you can slip in your pocket or hang around your neck.  Some people have phone apps that turn their cellphones into pedometers.  My family uses the cheapies from Walmart and some freebies we’ve picked up over the years.  If you want to spend a bit more, you can find pedometers that do everything except microwave your leftovers.

Are you with me on my simple exercise plan?

*To be entirely fair to li’l ol’ me, my baby is only 6 weeks, two days, and one hour old, so maternity pants aren’t really taboo…are they?    

14 thoughts on “Simple Exercise Plan: 10,000 Steps Challenge”

    1. I have the same disease. It’s genetic and skips a generation.

      We use the cheap pedometers, too, which is good, because when someone drops one in the “toidy,” I don’t mind…unless they flush.

    1. Thanks for hosting this! My family has been really enjoying it, and it is the nudge I need to get active again. They do tend to get a bit too competitive at times, so I had to put a stop to that and revisit some life lessons on encouragement, but other than that, it’s been great! Even my hubby has gotten his pedometer back out for his exercise walking.

      So thanks!!! 🙂

      2. It’s not only children who need to revisit life lessons on encouragement. I do too! I find myself comparing my steps to others and it can be unhealthy. I’ve decided to enter my steps on the 10,000 steps site, and encourage others on our FB page, but not to look at the total numbers for a few weeks. I work at a performance based job and this is just another way I am comparing myself to others. I have to know I’m taking steps towards a healthier life and that in itself is a success! 🙂 Please pray for me! 🙂

        1. We did the same thing and stopped comparing our steps to everyone else. We all set personal goals instead, and are now working together and encouraging each other. Praying for your quick recovery, peace, and joy.

    1. Hi! You can get any Pedometer you would like! In fact, my husband got his at Wal-Mart for $5.00! 🙂 If you are referring to the Pedometer mentioned about, I bought it at Brookstone at the Mall. It can also be found here: brookstone.com/SmartStep-Pedometer

  4. I read your first two lines and wanted to laugh out loud. Funny! I love walking and my favorite days are when I walk along the beach for hours and hours. My husband says if he’d let me, I’d walk him to death :). I’ve always loved walking. But when I pressed for time (which is more often than not), I find it easier to pop in my favorite Yoga for Athletes video and get to work. I work from home so I stop in the middle of the day (around lunch), practice my power yoga and go back to work. I love doing it to this video because there’s no chanting or Sanskrit, it’s solely a great workout and it keeps me super lean.

    1. I too love walking, although hiking is my favorite, because you actually go somewhere instead of in a circle. I used to live near a beach — you made me homesick. 😉

      I like your idea about stopping in the middle of the day to exercise. I often feel as though I need to get it in first thing or not at all. Since we’re all home all the time, I may implement this “drop and give me 20” in the middle of the day! Thanks!

    1. You go, Girl! If you’re interested, I believe Jennifer is making this an annual challenge. I’ll be doing it again this year. It’ll be nice to have company. 🙂

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