The Journey in 10,000 Steps

The recommended number of steps to take a day is 10,000.  Have you ever wondered where this number came from?  Well here's the answer, "Walking 10,000 steps per day for health and weight loss was popularized originally in Japan. Pedometer researcher Dr. Catrine Tudor-Locke says the original figure was not based on medical research. Several researchers have been playing catch-up on this, including Tudor-Locke. Research studies show it isn't a magic number, but it is a good indicator of how much activity a person is achieving in a day." (http://walking.about.com/od/measure/f/10000steps.htm)

What happens when some of those steps are backwards?  Have you ever had a bad day or a bad week?  Sure we all have.  You know that saying 1 step forward, 2 steps back?  That's kind of how I've felt lately.  I've had a couple of really good days in the gym, however I've not been as disciplined with my nutrition.  I'm not going to let that stop me from continuing to take steps, or even leaps for that matter.

Now obviously I was not being literal in the previous statement of "what happens when some of those steps are backward?".  My point is simply, that you will have bad days, and weeks.  Sometimes, you'll even have a bad month.  But you don't give up and stop moving forward just because of that.  In fact, when I realize that I am taking steps backwards, I try to look at what's going on in my life.  Whether that means that I look internally or externally, I look.  Sometimes this can be a hard thing to do.  However, once I am able to sit back and take inventory of what is going on and how I am dealing with said situation, I can change my reaction to it.  By doing this, I'm able to get myself focused and back on track.

Once back on track, you will find, as I have, that the reward is (usually) great.  My reward, for example, is that just this morning I was able to put on, zip, button, and still be comfortable in, SIZE 12 jeans!  I haven't seen this size in 10+ years.  Talk about your rewards!

So even if you find yourself stepping backwards, while working towards your 10,000, remember you're still working, and you're still on a journey.  It never ends.