Even though I might take more than 100,000 steps in a day as an ultramarathoner, my daily step count still matters to me. And I know your daily steps matter to you. I’ve witnessed the power 10,000 steps a day (or 5000, if that’s more like your step goal) can have on a non-runner firsthand. Being active greatly improves your overall health, and setting and achieving daily goals can be hugely motivating.
Here’s a personal story: My mother-in-law is a strident 10,000 steps-a-day convert. She lives in Lubbock, Texas, a place not necessarily known as a hub of physical activity, yet she and her friends make no excuses, and do whatever is needed to hit that magical 10,000-step daily number. (Sometimes she greatly surpasses that number!) She does it because it makes her feel good—inside and out!
One of my missions in life is to help people get more active, and tracking steps is one of the best ways to get there. This month I’m proud to join Fitbit for Step It Up, a national challenge involving all 50 states over the course of two weeks. I would like to invite you to join me and others, including the Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek H.Murthy, to see how your steps measure up across the country, and walk your way to better health! You can participate as an individual, with an existing team or form your own with friends, and follow along in the Step It Up dashboard to track your activity and find inspiring tips. (You can also see how many steps America as a whole is taking—the number could mean several laps around the earth!)
Check out stepitupusa.org to sign up, and take as many steps as you can between October 13-26. Once you get going, you may find yourself in my mother-in-law’s shoes—regularly logging 10,000 steps a day before you know it! Know I’ll be walking with you, every step of the way. And if you’re in the San Francisco Bay Area on October 22, you can join me in person for a local run or walk to the city’s Aquatic Center, and a happiness meditation session. Let’s Step It Up and get our steps in together!
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or condition. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, altering your sleep habits, taking supplements, or starting a new fitness routine.
Dean Karnazes
An internationally recognized endurance athlete and a New York Times bestselling author, Dean Karnazes has pushed his body and mind to inconceivable limits. Among his many accomplishments, he has run 350 continuous miles, foregoing sleep for three nights. He ran across Death Valley in 120-degree temperatures, and he ran a marathon to the South Pole in negative 40 degrees. On ten different occasions, he has run a 200-mile relay race solo, racing alongside teams of twelve.
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