They say that being healthy means living a balanced life, where one enjoys a colorful, nutritious diet, nurtures vibrant social connections, and steers clear of drugs, alcohol, or tobacco. It often includes a harmonious blend of strength and stretching in our daily movements, along with at least 7 hours of restful sleep—ideally, 8 or even 9 for women. And the last common goal is to take around ten thousand steps each day. Have you ever heard this perspective? Have you reflected on your own habits and thought, “I guess I’m not measuring up to this ideal”?
Many of us have faced this so-called struggle. While I don’t entirely dismiss the above statements, the obsession with that step count definitely makes me question things. Who exactly decided on that arbitrary number? Is ten thousand steps truly a daily requirement? What about unique populations like the elderly—do they receive a special quota, or is this figure carved in stone? For as long as I can recall, this has been the accepted standard, but we are all different individuals; so how can there possibly be a single benchmark for what constitutes adequate movement in a day?
Flash back to 2009, I was working as a personal trainer and an avid distance runner. In my life I’ve been all different sizes, but at this moment in time, I was fit. And I didn’t track one aspect of my life. The limited tracking devices for steps and calories were only just beginning to hit the market. My iPod went with me everywhere but my phone did not. Looking back, it was a very free existence. My then boyfriend bought me one of the first versions of the Fitbit. I remember looking at the black bracelet-like device and thinking “Why do I need this thing to tell me how many steps I’m taking?” But he lived a different life than I did. He worked in an office, sitting in a car or at a desk, going out to business lunches, and he was slowly moving further away from the athletic build he once had. He saw the ads for the next big fitness trend and bought into the culture. So I was along for the ride.
It was a helpful tool for me to navigate my work in health. I soon realized that millions of people were starting to count their steps and track their daily movements. While competition wasn’t my nature, it was essential for Ted, as he thrived on it. He would connect his Fitbit to mine, and whenever he noticed me out and about, he couldn’t resist moving just to see if he could outstep me for the day. This was his form of motivation, which sometimes felt annoying to me. As time passed and the novelty wore off, I found myself paying less attention to how much I moved in my everyday life. What I discovered is that while steps are important for our overall health, counting them isn’t a necessity. The real goal is to find ways to stay active beyond our daily routines.
A normal routine looks different for everyone, and that’s what makes it exciting! When I was introduced to my Fitbit, I was running daily, engaging in personal training, and enjoying time with my young child. I consistently took around 15,000 steps each day, thriving with a healthy body weight. Dan, on the other hand, initially found his normal routine tracked at about 5,000 steps a day. For him matching my daily step was entirely too challenging every day. His life just didn’t afford that much time. However, he discovered incredible benefits with just a few thousand extra steps added to his routine. It’s wonderful to see how our journeys can differ yet still lead us to health and happiness. Our normal routines may not align perfectly, but both of us embraced an active lifestyle in our unique ways. Instead of competing, we started to support growth for our individual accomplishments.
Life feels remarkably different now. Fast forward fifteen years to 2025, and we have phones that can track just about anything we desire. While hitting 15,000 steps is a bit more challenging, I’m still a very active individual. In 2024, my health app recorded an average of 7,000 steps, but I’ve set a bold goal to reach 12,000 steps by the end of 2025. This target is well within my reach, as my daily routine as a teacher involves plenty of movement, plus I consistently find time for the gym. Dedicating an hour each day, whether in the morning or evening, to fit in an additional 5,000 steps is completely feasible.
So is a step counter actually necessary? Not really! However, using one can be a fun way to track your progress and set new goals. I discovered that beginning with time instead of focusing solely on step count can be really beneficial. Some days you’ll find it easy to carve out time for movement, while other days may present a challenge—but that’s the beauty of it! This variety keeps your body engaged and adapting. If you’re a leisurely walker, completing a mile in 20 minutes is perfectly normal. Remember, one mile is approximately 2000 steps, and as you progress, you can build on that. Start small and incorporate activities that seamlessly fit into your lifestyle!
To compare will rob you of your joy. Replace comparison with inspiration and growth will happen. Objectively being active is to boost your daily movement beyond your normal routine and challenge your body with continual growth. There is no proof that will happen with any specific step count. But if it makes you happy to get 10,000 steps in per day, do that. While technology can be beneficial, health is fundamentally a sensation. Have you spent too much time sitting today? Engaging in some movement will undoubtedly serve you well. Respect what your body needs according to your health, lifestyle, and fitness level, and then build upon it!
WunderWalks 
Leave a comment