“How many steps should I do a day?”
And the answer is…
it depends (sorry)
If you’re currently under 5,000 steps, getting there will make a big difference to your mental health, physical health and overall energy.
If you’re already at 5,000, going to 7,000 might help a bit more..
10,000? Possibly a bit more and so on.
But here’s the bit most people don’t stop to ask:
– At what cost?
If pushing your steps higher means:
• skipping strength training
• rushing meals
• cutting sleep
• adding more stress to an already busy day
Then it might not actually be helping.
Sometimes the better option is:
• doing the resistance session you’ve been putting off
• planning meals so evenings are easier
• getting to bed a bit earlier
• or simply choosing a target you can actually repeat week after week
And this is exactly what I see with people we help and also I speak to.
Most of you already know the basics.
You know movement helps.
You know strength matters.
You know consistency beats extremes.
What’s usually missing isn’t knowledge.
It’s the doing.
The Kickstart isn’t about chasing numbers.
It’s about figuring out:
- what’s realistic for you right now
- what you can maintain
- and what actually moves the needle
That’s how habits stick.
That’s how confidence builds.
That’s how you stop starting again every few weeks.
Maybe right now, fewer steps but more resistance exercise will suit you better?
With the darker evenings and mornings, and weather…
Perhaps a 15 minute home workout will help too?
Like me right now, with me knee waiting for surgery, the bike has been a saviour (and upper body resistance exercise).
It’s about focusing on what you can do.
Like the other day, I spoke to someone who’s going to do their steps with a weight vest on, adding a lb in weight to the vest for every lb of weight loss.
It’s sometimes just about direction.
What are you doing today to step in the right direction? Pun intended
Matt