Stepping Up

I'll let you in on a secret - I wear a pedometer. I clip it onto my waistband every day and it keeps track of how many steps I take. It makes me accountable, and at this point in my life I need that. I've always been pretty active. I used to be an avid runner and I love going for brisk walks. But since I took up lampworking, and especially during the winter months, I've become much more sedentary. I mean, my very favorite thing to do (making beads, in case you didn't know) involves my arms only. And in the winter I have less reason to move about. In the warmer months I walk my girls to school - about a quarter mile each way - then walk pick them up. I had a treadmill for about 10 years, and I ran that thing into the ground. So instead of replacing it, I got an elliptical machine. Sadly, the elliptical is not for me. I still use it, but I'd use a treadmill more. Too late. So, I'm wearing my pedometer and really trying to get in my recommended steps for each day. I've read that around 10,000 steps is the goal I should be shooting for - so I'd like to top that. And I'm not going to accept any excuses for not hitting my daily goal. Today I went for a walk, got on that darn elliptical for 25 minutes and did a bunch of cleaning. I'm just over 8,000 steps and it's only 11 am. I know I'll hit my goal today, but I've got to keep it up.

By the way, I got my pedometer at Wal-Mart for $5. There are fancier ones out there, but this kind works fine for me. When the battery runs out, I usually just get another one. I think batteries cost more than the pedometer. The only drawback is that if you lean on a counter or something that lines up with the reset button, the pedometer can reset itself. That is so frustrating! So, if you join me on this stepping quest, check your pedometer every so often to make sure it hasn't reset, and if it does you'll know about where you were at when it happens.

There's only a few more weeks until it warms up around here, and soon it will be shorts weather. I'm going to step it up!