Hi ,
Lately, I've been hearing a lot of this from my clients:
"I'm getting my 10,000 steps, but..."
- "...I'm getting bored"
- "...I'm still feeling sluggish."
- "...I'm not feeling stronger."
Sound familiar?
Here's the truth bomb: That 10,000 step goal? If we're being honest, it wasn't created with your optimal health in mind. It was a marketing tactic. 🤯
Let's Rewind to 1965
A Japanese company launched the first pedometer and called it "Manpo-kei" - literally, "10,000-step meter." It seemed like a good number to start with and just like that, a marketing goal became the gold standard for fitness trackers.
But here's what I see happening with clients and this "magic" number:
- Scenario 1: They hit 10,000 steps and feel "done." Progress stalls. Motivation fizzles.
- Scenario 2: They can't reach 10,000 and feel defeated. The goal seems insurmountable, leading to frustration and giving up.
- Scenario 3: They hit 10,000 but are confused. What's next? 15,000? 20,000? How much is enough?
This is where personalized coaching makes all the difference.
- I had one client who was religiously hitting her 10,000 steps on the treadmill but wasn't getting stronger. We tweaked her incline, and suddenly she was experiencing results with fewer steps but more challenge.
- Another client was stuck at 8,000 steps. Her doctor wanted her to improve her cardio and leg strength, but more time walking felt overwhelming. We introduced interval training tailored to her needs, and she's now making incredible progress.
- My bored client? We added in some "visual scavenger hunts" to her outdoor walks and now she's consistently exceeding her personalized step goal in the effort to complete the hunt for that day.
The bottom line: Fitness trends are great for inspiration, but they're not a one-size-fits-all solution.
The questions to ask yourself are: What do I believe is possible for me/my life when I engage in a significant amount of movement each day? And: How many steps) or movement in general do I believe is my baseline to realize that vision for my life.
Arbitrary goals can be simple to follow, but are flimsy and often don't account for your actual life experience.
Working with me as your coach means that your goals are supported by the things that matter most to you.
Despite the rush of accomplishment we feel when our smart devices buzz with approval, there is a bigger motivator at play for all of us that can help infuse joy, consistency and purpose into our health efforts.
Let's chat! I've got a few spots open for complimentary health coaching consultations this fall. We'll discuss your goals, challenges, and create a personalized plan to get you the results you deserve.
Click below to schedule your free consultation today!
P.S. Stay tuned for an exciting announcement about my upcoming Fall Into Lunch challenge! It's designed to help you create some satiating and exciting mid-day meals to keep you nourished and fueled for however many steps you take that day.
As always, thanks for being here!
✌️ Coach JZ
WEEK OF SEPT 23:
Monday: Pilates + Bounce
Wednesday: Functional Flow
Classes air live at 9:00am Central Time & The Replay Will Be Up Later That Day.
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