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NYT: Should 15,000 Steps a Day Be Our New Exercise Target?
- Thread starter Dalek
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Oppo
Member
i don't get this. look up the calories. walking burns a lot.
Shadax the wizard
Member
metsallica
Member
I'm still using the Nintendo DS game Personal Trainer Walking, and my daily goal is 17K in that. Has been since 2010 or so. Can't remember the last time I missed my target, but I live in NYC. I also bike 25-30 miles a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year... so I might not be normal.
Rentahamster
Rodent Whores
I prefer the target of "don't eat so damn much".
Oppo
Member
30 miles a day all year in NYC?
good for you, if it's true. that is super not-normal.
i can basically circumnavigate Toronto proper in 50km (30 miles) on my bike but i certainly can't do it all year.
if you are doing 17k steps in addition to the 50km bike ride then idontbelieveyou.gif
Massive Duck. C.M.
Banned
I got a watch/pedometer that beeps if you're inactive too long, helps a lot.
Subpar Spatula
Banned
What do you mean by meaningful exercise?
Meaningful would be stamina and endurance training to allow you to chase prey all day until they exhaust.
All people need to do is to keep their cardio going while working on stretching / posture. No one's going for that Greek God bod.
stuminus3
Member
Either this is nonsense or every doctor I've ever talked to in my life is a liar.
Every minute spent somewhere other than on your butt is effective.
That's good for weight loss, no good at all for exercise. Different things.
ZackieChan
Member
I thought I read something recently about how doing a few minutes of Tabata-type exercise is as good as anything. For the time-strapped, maybe that's a good alternative?
That won't solve the problem. Inactivity is its own devil. Overeating is an entirely different thing.
Walking is meaningful exercise. And it's good on the joints too.
Oppo
Member
since it's 90 min of walking we are talking about, i think it's more do-able than people suppose. calculate getting to a gym, changing, working out, getting home vs just a walk for an hour and a half.
the secret is a deep bench of podcasts. plus my head clears, i find, if i can take a path through some nature. park, woods etc.
The Greek Freak
Member
WTF? Walking slowly for an hour is 6-7k.
My lowest days in a month are 8kish.
Frequently hit low 20s.
Sexually Aggressive Uncle
Member
Do you sit around all day? I don't understand how you've only hit 7k once in six months.
I routinely go over 20k a day. Busy days I'm into 30k.
FallingEdge
Member
lift weights and get swole, nerds
Yeah I just roll my eyes at the people who act like walking is pointless (several of which have already posted)
Having lost over 150 pounds in the last 18 months, with walking being my main source of exercise until I started lifting a few months ago, walking was great when I was heavier since it is low impact; jogging would have destroyed my knees when I was starting my diet at around 425 pounds. My first few months dieting, an hour walk would burn 700+ calories; you obviously won't burn that much at lower weights, but walking is fantastic especially for overweight/obese people.
Sure, walking is not as efficient as running or jogging in terms of burning calories, or as helpful as lifting for building muscle, but it still helps create a decent calorie deficit to lose or maintain weight. Especially if you can find ways to fit it during your day, like walking to the bus or light rail instead of driving to work, if those are options in your area.
andythinkpad
Member
You have to walk to work, or walk at lease 3 miles of it. Otherwise you can't hit 10k.
Patrick Bateman
Member
Today I had around 8.000 steps on my counter which is probably a medium number.
Back during exam I had days with around 120 steps. Getting up, to the bathroom, eating and straight to the desk for the rest of the day...
Back during exam I had days with around 120 steps. Getting up, to the bathroom, eating and straight to the desk for the rest of the day...
darkazcura
Member
I barely met 15000 steps a day when I went to Disney World, heh. Can't even imagine doing that all day every day. I'd rather run and do high intensity work outs if possible.
Earthbound64
Banned
Samsung S7 had a built-in pedometer.
backflip10019
Member
15k is a large number of steps per day. It's almost 6pm and I only have 3800 today so far. Usually hit around 7.5-8k if I don't hit the gym.
I actually already walk 90 minutes a day, it's just nowhere close to getting me to 15K. It's closer to 8 or 9K a day, at best. My phone might be underestimating me to be honest (especially at work, I think it needs a GPS signal), but still. You'd have to walk at 5 MPH to cover 7.5 miles in 90 minutes, that's some intense power walking.
andythinkpad
Member
Did you really bike 25 miles last Tuesday?
H.Protagonist
[-_-]/
15,000? 
Right now I have 7k as my baseline and aim for 10k+, but even taking the kiddo out every day for a walk I scrabble to reach it. On one hand I think it skimps me when I'm using the stroller, but it also counts arm movements when doing chores, so maybe it evens out? At any rate, 15k will definitely take some concentrated effort. At least I get ~75 squats a day in, too.
Right now I have 7k as my baseline and aim for 10k+, but even taking the kiddo out every day for a walk I scrabble to reach it. On one hand I think it skimps me when I'm using the stroller, but it also counts arm movements when doing chores, so maybe it evens out? At any rate, 15k will definitely take some concentrated effort. At least I get ~75 squats a day in, too.
GrizzleBoy
Banned
Dear noobs.
I lost about 30 pounds in 4 months with a combination of calorie count ting and daily doing around 15k steps average per day.
My wife started with me and lost around 12 pounds.
A 45 minute walk at a good pace can burn 400 calories (for a tall, heavy set guy like me anyway).
People can kill thems3lves on a treadmill for 20 minutes for the same burn.
Get up and walk.
Noobs.
I lost about 30 pounds in 4 months with a combination of calorie count ting and daily doing around 15k steps average per day.
My wife started with me and lost around 12 pounds.
A 45 minute walk at a good pace can burn 400 calories (for a tall, heavy set guy like me anyway).
People can kill thems3lves on a treadmill for 20 minutes for the same burn.
Get up and walk.
Noobs.
maximum360
Member
This. The prolonged walking/greater activity is likely more effective at reducing insulin resistance leading to better outcomes. The amount of extra calories burned by more steps is trivial.
Oppo
Member
He's right.
Here's me, last little while (love my Fatbit):
totally do-able. noobs.
(looks like i need to go for a hike now, heh.)
Shy Fingers
Banned
My health insurance plan costs are tied to how many steps you get a day.
Needless to say I went from about 6k to 13k steps a day on average. This is an office job, but they give us walking breaks as well some treadmill desks.
Needless to say I went from about 6k to 13k steps a day on average. This is an office job, but they give us walking breaks as well some treadmill desks.
Earthbound64
Banned
Freudian.
Oppo
Member
and intentional
I tried out my buddy's treadmill desk, but even though it is quite slow (much slower than walking), I can't see myself masking something in PS/AE while doing that. too weird.
plus much better to actually get outside, y'know?
I am gonna go for a 2h hike right now!
GalacticToast
Member
I carry an abacus around at all times
For weight personally we need to change foods to not be so damn centered around sugars.
But as for mental health and bodily health walkings good. I used to sit and operate a forklift all day, now I work in metal fab. Standing and walking all day. The difference in how I feel is profound
But as for mental health and bodily health walkings good. I used to sit and operate a forklift all day, now I work in metal fab. Standing and walking all day. The difference in how I feel is profound
Fudgepuppy
Banned
I walk around 9-15k steps a day, depending on what day it is.
It's not hard people, I just walk to work, walk to lunch and walk home most days. Three days a week I go to the gym, and some days of the week we go out after work, and some days I go to the store that's 20 minutes away.
It's not hard people, I just walk to work, walk to lunch and walk home most days. Three days a week I go to the gym, and some days of the week we go out after work, and some days I go to the store that's 20 minutes away.
Muppet of a Man
Member
The 2 things are actually interrelated. From a biological perspective, not moving slows your metabolism, which tricks your body into thinking food is not available or that its availability is on the wane (because mobility and energy expenditure are limited in cold months when food is not readily available in natural environments). Your body compensates for this perceived lack of availability by craving food and then overeating as a result due to wanting to store up calories as fat before food availability becomes scarce or non-existent.
pokeystaples
Banned
Between my dogs and the gym I hit this at least 5-6 days a week.
clearacell
Member
Yeah, desks with treadmills, watching TV while on a treadmill, using every opportunity not to drive but walk instead are essential to getting your steps in. I work on a large kitchen and 15000 steps are easily reached, then my hobby is dancing. my diet is not good though so it cancels out.
Of course they are; I think the poster you quoted is just saying that you can't make up for sitting for long periods by doing exercise.
Even if you work out all night every night, sitting all day every day is terrible for you.
ShooterMcGavin
Member
Y'all want me to stop eating bacon...now this?
winterymint
Member
Walking on a flat level surface maybe, but I enjoy walking at 13.5 incline. Helps make sure I don't damage my knees in the long run.
After reading the OP I went out and did a little walking experiment/exercise.
After 1 hour & 35 minutes I walked 10, 287 steps which accounts for 4.94 miles and (supposedly) 428 calories lost. I'm ok with that. 15,000 steps isn't difficult but a bit too monotonous for my tastes....Perhaps I'll shoot for that in the future even though today I sort of lost patience lol.
After 1 hour & 35 minutes I walked 10, 287 steps which accounts for 4.94 miles and (supposedly) 428 calories lost. I'm ok with that. 15,000 steps isn't difficult but a bit too monotonous for my tastes....Perhaps I'll shoot for that in the future even though today I sort of lost patience lol.
War Peaceman
You're a big guy.
I do more than that most days. Eminently achievable.
Although, of course, factor in other workouts and the number doesn't have to be so high.
Although, of course, factor in other workouts and the number doesn't have to be so high.
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