And...we're off!!

Those of us doing the 1000 mile challenge agreed to let the miles walked between December 25 and 31 count as an incentive to get moving this week.  I know for me personally this week is really the one where I relax to the point of becoming inert!  Any type of schedule, even eating is totally eschewed for the week.  While I think there is merit in stepping out of a schedule and having a peaceful, refreshing time, I've taken it to a whole new level during last week of the year.  I happily embraced the idea of getting a mini workout in.


Yesterday, I trooped off to the store in search of a pedometer.  That mission was easily accomplished.  I think I got a good one.  One that doesn't count incidental movements like my old one did.  It was easily programmed and I had it on by about 10:30.  I decided just to see how many steps I got doing my around the house activity, not counting any type of exercise.  I don't really know that yesterday was typical, but at least it was a starting point.


Being the analyst that I am, I did the math and learned that I need to take 3520 steps to walk one mile considering my stride.  In order to reach the goal of 1000 miles in a year, the average per day mileage is just over 2.7 miles per day.  That means I'll need to take nearly 10,000 steps each and every day to reach my goal.  The exact figure is 9,644.  To keep it easy, I'm going to try to get to 10,000 every day.  That way I can stock pile a few steps for those days when it just doesn't happen.


So, yesterday, my baseline day, I walked 3340.  Hmmm...it looks like I've got my work cut out for me.  I've got to triple that by Sunday.  I'm glad I started early and these steps are just bonus steps!!