Question:
The 10,000 Steps Program

OK...all of you healthy, athletic, determined, "on a roll" physically fit folk,...I need help determining a few things. I've worn a pedometer FAITHFULLY every day for the past 18 months and have come to the following conclusions: 1) I have a cheap and relatively inexpensive pedometer (OMRON)and need to invest in a 'better' one, 2) There REALLY might be a non-mechanical, but malfunction with my abnormal weight gain, 3) Learn what my personal *stride* is or 4) Just TOTALLY start over again or get another personal trainer or forget about walking as MY exercise?? Here's why: I should have shed boo-koo pounds by now, I have documentation to prove it. Check this out: According to my research last night on www.shapeup.org; when you commit to walking as your form of exercise..."Walking 10,000 steps is the equivalent of walking 5 miles. The distance covered depends on the length OF YOUR STRIDE...That is why it is approximate". Well, (and I never claimed to be an Einstein or mathematically inclined in mathematics) but, how do you know what the *length of your stride" happens to be? Does it depend on how your pedometer is calibrated/adjusted and whether you are 2,3 or 4mph. Somebody help a sista' out, please! :) PROXIMAL LAP RNY 9/3/02 5'2" 265/180/126-115 Hadiyah, a.k.a.~~    — yourdivaness (posted on October 27, 2005)

October 26, 2005
Hi, I would think it would be determined on how affective the exercise is and how well your body is reacting to it. Is it working? Do you need to advance to jogging? Alternating different types of exercise may be warranted here too. Paula
   — shoutjoy

October 26, 2005
Your body can adapt to an exercise or diet plan. You need to shake it up occasionally. If you want to continue walking - One day exerices extra long then the next day do a short routine. You could also add some try of light strength training to shake things up.
   — kathy942

October 27, 2005
Hi, to answer your question regarding the length of your stride -- place a box of tissues on the floor and then stand with your heels to the box, take 10-12 steps. Mark the spot where your heels land and then measure the distance between the start and finish. You should then be able to enter the measurement and the number of steps taken into the pedometer. With that data the pedometer should be able to calculate your stride. But if you are following 10,000 steps - why are you measuring your stride? Just count steps --which is usually an option on even the most rudimentary pedometer. The length of your stride is usually used to measure the distance walked, not the steps. Hope this is helpful!! Good Luck.
   — pumpkelina

October 27, 2005
Hi, The average stride told tome by my company BCBS is 2.15. I set my pedometer at 2:25 because I am fairly tall. Hope this helps. MaryLyn
   — Kriola

October 27, 2005
My podometer said to take 100 steps, measure and see how far you went. Then after you set it...take another 100 steps to check that it is correct. Good luck. Carmen
   — kccjer

October 27, 2005
I bought a cheap pedometer from Wal-mart for under $4 and it didn't require calibration. I was concerned about it's accuracy but so far..I've tested it on trails where I know the distance...smooth pavement and rocky, hilly terrain and it's accurate so far. The funny thing is...I started walking up to 3 miles a day and going to Curves on Oct. 1 and I've gained 5lbs that won't go away no matter what.
   — boonikki29

October 29, 2005
Stride length mostly has to do with height. Those of us who are shorter tend to have shorter legs than taller people, so we take smaller steps. Your stride is merely the length of your steps! I am just under 5'2", and have a long torso and short legs, so my stride is much shorter than that of my 6'2" son!
   — Novashannon

October 29, 2005
Forgot to say that there are two kinds of pedometers: the ones that measure the distance you walked, and the ones that count how many steps you take. Since people use the same amount of energy, approximately, to take their own length steps, if you are counting steps, distance is irrelevent.
   — Novashannon