Day 5 – 15,602 steps
This was always going to be a good day for steps but I didn’t expect this many. School run this morning got me started, followed by Fresh Air Fridays (FAF) a walking personal development group, and a walk with my walking buddy. I am top of my Fitbit challenge group – that has never happened before!! Another first today – I did a headstand at yoga. I will credit FAF for that achievement. I have thought about attempting a headstand at least 10 times before and backed out. Topic of today’s FAF session was our ‘comfort zone’. I got out of mine and saw the world up side down. It felt good. Photos – gifts from my walk along the Basingstoke canal.
Day 6 – 12,971 steps
Started the day with a short walk, listened to Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg on Audible. Reflected on giving feedback, letting go of judgments and being specific about naming behaviour. It was a challenge to go out for a 2nd walk I would have rather sat and had a coffee! Pushed my total up to 8,954, confident that this would rise to 10,000 walking from car park to Mayflower Theatre to see Sister Act. Added on a few more with a trip to the bar and dancing to the final song. It was a super show …Alexander Burke was great.
Day 7 – 7,504 steps
Difficult to walk today, my Uncle passed away last night. I visited him for his 80th birthday celebration in Australia 6 months ago. Prior to this visit I hadn’t spent time with him for 40 years. I am so glad I seized the day.
Day 8 – 11,189 steps
This morning I made it to circle dancing and it was an enjoyable way to gain 3,200 steps. It was confusing for some voters who found themselves faced with prancing women rather than poll booths. They realised their error before entering the hall and were able to access the correct room. I discovered that shopping for clothes is another pleasant way to increase steps. The rain didn’t deter me from walking to vote (daily total 7, 800) and then continuing to walk after voting which took me to 10,000. A theme of honest communication today; I am inspired by 2 women who were brave enough to say exactly how they felt and what they needed. After a busy day the walking cleared my head and I realise I like ‘walking in the rain with the one I love’ …. and by myself.
Day 9 – 14,113 steps
A lovely walk along Highcliffe beach, it was so peaceful and took me to 8,099 steps. It reminded me of days spent on Canggu beach in Bali. That evening I saw Take That concert screened live in the cinema, dancing added another 3,990 steps. My favourite song in the concert was Hope.
‘Everybody needs a little hope….learn from every lesson, face the lonely fear, bathe in every blessing, burn your brightest flame….
Day 10 – 15,364 steps
FAF in Pamber forest, the trees are immense, I really felt like I wanted to hug a tree, I gained 7,890 steps. A family tradition is to collect small change through the year, bag it up and take to the carnival. Walking there, around the fair and back added 5,000 steps. A bit of discrete dancing to a 60’s, 70,s, 80s DJ – Daughter amused at the stall holders of a certain age jigging to ‘storm in a teacup’ by The Fortunes.
Day 11 – 11,674 steps
Oh dear! I may have drunk just a little bit too much last night. It is 11am and I have completed 266 steps. A 45 minute walk with a bottle of water and music has got me halfway to my 10,000.
Music on shuffle gave me;
Most joyful – I just called to say I love you, Stevie Wonder
Most moving- Supermarket Flowers, Ed Sheeran
Most surprising – We all stand together, Paul McCartney
An evening walk takes me over the 10,000 mark.
What I have learnt so far on my 10,000 a day challenge;
I am aware that the extra steps are costing me time. It is a challenge to make the time for an extra 45 minutes daily walking. I have been creative in my collection of steps and I am learning that I don’t have to rely on walking to provide the steps, I could dance more daily.
The extra steps add joy to my life in many ways – being outdoors, connecting with others, feeling fitter, gaining gifts of nature, being touched by music and using my passion for writing to record the journey.
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