My company started a walking program to promote better health for their employees couple of weeks ago. So each person who registered received a water bottle and a pedometer. I don’t know if you already figured out, but I hate exercising and I’m not athletic at all. But when I found out about this initiative, I jumped into it since it’s just walking. How hard can it be? Well, walking is not hard, but walking 10,000 steps a day is hard for me. For the last 11 days, I’ve been averaging around 4,300 steps a day. I had some days that I walked slightly over 2,000 steps a day. I knew it, but this confirmed how much I don’t move.
Here are my reasons excuses for not making my daily 10,000 steps quota.
1. I work in a cubicle 8 hours a day. My job requires me to sit in one place, so I blame my company for making me work sitting down and telling me to walk for better health, which I say doesn’t make sense.
2. I drive to work and everywhere else. I blame the city planning for making everything not walking distance.
3. The weather’s been weird. It’s Spring and there have been days that were super gorgeous, but other days were ugly with rain and greay clouds. So I blame the weather for not being beautiful consistently.
4. I try to wear my pedometer most of the time I’m awake and moving around, but I can’t wear it while in the shower and I’m sure some steps are not counted for. So I blame the pedometer for not being water proof and requiring a belt or a pocket to clip onto.
5. I’m just lazy. As much as I want to blame other things, I know the biggest reason is my laziness. It’s simple and difficult at the time.
However, keeping track of this makes me walk a little more than I normally would. For instance, I usually don’t get up to go to the fridge to get water if it’s not on the table already unless I really need water to wash it down. I’ll wait until I finish eating to put the plates in the sink and while I’m already by the fridge, I’ll get water to not get up twice. But now I remember that I need to walk more, so I get up twice and add more steps into my number. I know it’s not much, but I always say one step at a time, literally this time.
I think there’s a tie with this topic with personal finance. For a greater cause or goal, you have to work at it. Wishing won’t wash away your debt or bring a healthy amount of savings. Just like wishing won’t shave off extra pounds you want to lose or make you healthier. You have to delay gratification and work on it now to bring better result and reach your goal later. I’m not doing a real good job of it, but I’m working on working on it. haha~
What do you guys do to live a healthier life or if you haven’t started, what are you thinking about doing?
Michelle's Finance Journal 
I think that’s my biggest reason for working out in the morning – I live a pretty sedentary life otherwise during the weekday. But like finances, at least you’re aware now of exactly how many steps you take, and what can be done to change it. That’s pretty cool of your company to promote healthy living!
I’m still resisting the idea of working out, but you are the biggest inspiration for me to even consider it. I don’t know how you do it in the morning, but I do admire you. For now, I’ll work on raising my daily average. Have a great weekend~
I’m not a natural exercise enthusiast like Anna, but since I am nearing 30 and my metabolism has slowed down sooo much I have had to add more walking into my daily routine to stay healthy. It’s not fun at first (like paying off debt) but after awhile, it becomes routine! Good Luck!
Thanks GMD~ I’m trying to keep track. Who knows, maybe someday, I’ll actually move my lazy butt and work out.
Thankfully I have a very active job. I spend all day on my feet walking from room to room to check on my patients. I’m also on the third floor one day a week and try to take the stairs. I can understand how it would be more difficult with a sit down job to hit 10,000 steps a day. I hit between 5,000 to over 10,000 on a hectic day just at work. Those 8 hours a day have to make it more difficult for you! I would like to say that the more you move the less likely I am to see you in my neck of the woods 🙂 Nobody wants to be on the cardiac floor! The fact that you have noticed and began working on it is huge. I get people who don’t realise there is even a problem until they land themselves in a hospital bed. Good luck on your pursuit of health! You can do it 🙂
It’s a hard job that you do and I really appreciate it. I never had to stay in a hospital myself, but my mom did quite a lot, so I know that great and caring staff makes a huge difference in the hospital stay experience.
We try to take a long walk with the kids every day after work. If they don’t feel like walking, we pull them in a wagon!!!
That’s a great idea to keep your family healthy and spend some time together. My hubby used to ask me to go take a walk with him and I turned him down, because I’m lazy. He doesn’t ask me anymore. I’m going to ask him for a change. Thanks~
You are very aware of the obstacles that you and most people (85%) face to “changing basic behavior.” As a finance person, you can tie your Activity Wellness Program to something much more important than a few lbs lost or an artificial goal of 10,000 steps. Tie it to your financial security. Over 30% of total Medicare costs occur in the last 6 months of life. You can avoid most of that average expense by being healthy, and by avoiding chronic, debilitating health issues. Remain healthy to EARN financial security, and remain healthy to KEEP financial security. Be Active and Be Well, MrPedometer
You’re right. Being healthy will save and earn you money. Great point that I forgot to point out. Thanks~