Forget 10,000 Steps — Let’s Talk About Moving Your Body

We’ve all heard it: “You should get 10,000 steps a day.” It’s printed on fitness trackers, shouted from social media, and stuck in our heads like a catchy jingle.

But here’s the plot twist — that number wasn’t born from science. It actually came from a Japanese pedometer marketing campaign in the 1960s. 

Yep, marketing — not medicine.

So if you’ve ever felt discouraged by your step count, take a deep breath. Your worth (and your health!) isn’t measured by a number on your watch.

Movement Isn’t a Math Problem

Instead of obsessing over 10,000, what if we just focused on moving more?

Our bodies are meant to move — not sit hunched over a keyboard for hours or melt into the couch after dinner. Even short bursts of activity throughout the day can make a big difference in how you feel.

Think:

• Taking the long way to the breakroom.

• Doing a lap around the block after lunch.

• Turning up the music and dancing while you make dinner.
  

Every bit of movement counts. Seriously. Science backs it up: regular movement boosts your mood, supports your heart, keeps joints happy, and helps manage stress.

Your Body Knows Better Than Your Tracker

Here’s the truth: your body doesn’t care if you walked 3,000 steps or 13,000. It cares that you moved.

Some days, that might mean a long walk outside. Other days, it might mean chasing your kids around the house or stretching before bed. Listen to your energy. Your health journey should feel doable, not daunting.

Start small — maybe 5 extra minutes of walking a day — and build from there. Over time, those little choices become big wins for your body and your mind.

Move for Joy, Not Judgment

Exercise doesn’t have to be a chore. It can be playful, freeing, and even fun (remember fun?).

You could:

• Go hiking with friends and pack snacks.

• Take your dog on an extra lap around the park.

• Try a dance video, yoga class, or just wiggle it out to your favorite song.
  

When you find movement that feels good, it stops being something you “have to do” and becomes something you want to do.

The Bottom Line: Every Step Counts

Forget chasing perfect numbers. Forget comparing your steps to someone else’s. The real goal? Just move.

Because every stretch, stroll, and shimmy adds up to something powerful — a healthier, happier you.

So go ahead… take that walk, do that dance, park a little farther away. Your body will thank you — and your step counter might just smile too.