Thursday, January 1, 2009

All I can say is Wow!

At Weight Watchers yesterday morning I bought one of the pedometers. I really like it because I can program it to my weight and length of stride. I eagerly clipped it on this morning as soon as I got dressed, because I was curious as to how I'd do. Most everyone I know recommends using 10,000 steps as the goal to shoot for each day. Since I'm usually pretty sedentary I figure this was a good way to get myself moving more.

My friend Kim and I really enjoyed walking to Starbucks during the snow, and I knew it was great exercise. Now that our snow has gone and rain - hard at times - and wind has returned the walk isn't nearly as enjoyable. We both need to keep at it, however, so when she called this morning I agreed to go. I find it much easier to walk outside, especially when I have the reward of a great latte waiting for me at the midpoint, and sewing waiting for me at the end of the walk. So armed with umbrella and raincoat I set out this morning. The steps really added up quickly on that walk - a good way to start the day.

Once I returned home, however, I didn't get to sew. Instead I need to pack away all the Christmas decorations. I have no idea how many times I walked from the tree to the table where the boxes were sitting - must have been hundreds of times as we have that many ornaments. Plus walking back and forth packing everything else away also. Then standing in the kitchen to fix dinner. Now back to the living room with the vacuum as there are needles everywhere. I wanted to do a good cleaning so I moved every piece of furniture I could so I could clean underneath it.

Every now and then I stretched out on the couch for a short time to give my back a rest. I even fell asleep for a few minutes - I was listening to an audio book while working and suddenly realized the story had jumped ahead a bit. By and large I was on my feet the entire day, however. Every now and then I would look at the number of steps I was accumulating, as well as the activity points I was earning. As the number grew I was more and more amazed. I can't imagine how this total could possibly be correct! But as I wore the thing yesterday after I got home, when I didn't move much the rest of the day, and accumulated less than 4000 steps I figure it must be correct.

Tomorrow I'm going shopping with Kim - wandering a high end mall in Portland (Bridgeport Mall) as I've never been there before. Our plan is to accumulate a lot of steps tomorrow also!

13 comments:

Tanya said...

I live with a pedometer strapped to my side and have for the last 10 years. It really does make one want to get up and move a bit just to meet the set goal. Hmm. Just checked mine and see that I have 2000 more steps til I can say "Good Job Tanya!" Too bad blogging (and quilting) do not add steps to these things!

antique quilter said...

Great job!
See if I want my numbers to be over 8,000 a day I have to go out and walk or do a lot of cleaning
thats what I did yesterday lots of cleaning and packing away the holiday decorations so I was over 10,000 without going out
but when I walk its normally 5,000 steps right away.
thats a great way to start the day.
I like that it gives you the points earned for walking
I am going to buy one at my first meeting next week.
have fun shopping today...did you get to the primitive quilt shop yet? new plaids in your house????

Anonymous said...

Wow, that's really high. Maybe I need to find a better one because my pedometer won't register steps up or down stairs which is a bummer when I go to a step class. Also mine does not register if I'm walking lightly, and I refuse to stomp like an elephant just to get my numbers up.
Keep up the good work.
Gillian

Julie said...

Wow, I need to get me one of those. Sounds motivating. Thanks for sharing.

Susan said...

Oh what a disappointment to have walked so much and not had more steps. Are you sure it works correctly?

Leslie said...

I wore one for awhile and the numbers were incredibly high. Then I read the instructions and found out I had to set the stride for my gait. The default stride it came with was twice mine! No wonder... :cD

Tracey @ozcountryquiltingmum said...

Great result...I still think there must be some way we can sew and exercise at the same time...someone must invent it!! Tracey

Rhonda said...

Good for you. This is wonderful. I wondered how those worked. I've been tempted to try but just never got around to buying one. Thanks for the sharing your results. Take care.

Ginger Patches said...

I just went back and read some of your past posts (on weight loss) and you are an inspiration to me! I'm starting weight watchers (again lol) and love reading success stories but when it's a fellow quilter and blogger even better!! I am definitely getting one of those pedometers...I love that it tracks activity points!!! Thanks for the post :)

Nana's Quilts said...

Great job on your walking. I went out early the other morning, to try to get in some steps. I do, however, just hate to go alone - wanna come up here?

Wanted you to know that I'm busily making crumb chaos blocks - using my new machine. Great all the way around.
Nana Marne

Sweet P said...

Congrats on the walking. I should buy one to wear while I'm work. After all I am on my feet all day and do a lot of walking.

Carrie P. said...

How exciting. A pedometer really tells the truth. Sometimes we think we have walked farther than we really have. You go girl!

Pam said...

Congratulations on all your hard work Patti. I was reading this post and off I went to find that Pedometer I bought quite some time ago and I set it all up and now it is my time to get moving! The problem is the darn dog is such a dawdler.