Ten years ago, on April 5, 2015, at our annual physicals, our then physician asked me, as he usually did, about my exercise routine. I told him, “My major form of exercise is jumping to conclusions.” I thought that was hilarious. The doctor was not amused in the least. When it was Bill’s turn, the doctor shook his finger in my husband’s face and said, “If you don’t use it, you’re going to lose it.”
So the next day—the very next day, on April 6th —we started walking, gradually crawling our way up to that magic number of 10,000 steps, using our Fitbits to keep track. Although we didn’t realize it at the time, it turns out our phones were keeping track, too. The Fitbits eventually went away and were replaced by Apple Watches, but we kept right on walking, and the phones kept right on counting. Magically I dropped 65 pounds and went from a size 26 to a size 16. Suddenly clothing that had been hiding in the back corners of my closets for years were wearable again. In fact, I’m still wearing some of those original size sixteens.
Eventually Bill’s health situation changed, necessitating his using a walker and putting me behind the wheel of our family car. After decades of riding shotgun, I was suddenly back in the driver’s seat. That came as a shock to both our systems, but we managed.
Over time, dental crowns installed years ago tend to come to grief and need replacing. That’s happened to both of us in the past couple of years. Our dentist’s office (Thank you, Dr. Wendy Spektor) is only five minutes from our house. Crown appointments generally take two hours, so when I drove Bill to a two-hour appointment, did I drive there and drop him off? Nope, once he was ensconced in the chair, I went out and got my steps, walking laps around the parking lot—three hundred or five hundred steps per lap, depending on which route I chose.
Why am I telling you this? Because last week we went in for cleanings. As I was paying the bill, the office manager asked me where my step count was, so I showed her—on my phone. Turns out, they’d all noticed those times when I was outside marching around the parking lot, and now the dental practices’s employees are encouraged to go outside and walk during their breaks. In other words, why pay to go to a gym when you can use a parking lot for free?
What’s more, because of me, other people are walking, too. I’m not as fast as I used to be, but I’m walking nonetheless. And here’s my ten-year cumulative score: As of Tuesday of this week, my streak of walking a minimum of 10,000 steps adds up to 1,255 days. The total number of steps? 40,010,219. And the total number of miles? 19,007.
My hope is to make it all the way around the world—a total of 24,901 miles. The only way to do that is for me to keep walking.
Stay tuned.
You are amazing!
As always enjoying my Friday morning email. I need to start walking more Jance. Thank you for the inspiration.
A big congrats on your step accomplishment. It is true what your doctor said, “use it or lose it” especially for those of us in our senior years. In your Beaumont book where Beau gets his knees replaced, I have been seriously thinking about the same. Both of mine are horrible. Just doing my little exercises aggravates them. I’d like to walk again – around the yard, block, or wherever. You are an inspiration. Thank you.
My husband just had a knee replacement last Thursday. He is already walking up the stairs and will graduate to a cane by Monday. It’s incredible how fast he is healing. I would encourage you to look into it.
I have taken the first steps (no pun intended). My primary care physician ordered x-rays. I have heard similar stories as your husband’s about the fast recuperation. It is scary, no doubt about it. Thank you for your encouragement.
Bill had his bi-lateral knee replacement in June of 2008. He did all the recommended exercises before and after the surgery. Six weeks later he was driving Miss Daisy on a book tour. His knees are still fine, but now he has an inoperable lower back issue.
Bill had his bi-lateral knee replacement in June of 2008. He did all the recommended exercises before and after the surgery. Six weeks later he was driving Miss Daisy on a book tour. His knees are still fine, but now he has an inoperable lower back issue.
You give me additional encouragement to do it. I know the rehab is the most important according to all I’ve read/watched. I haven’t seen the pre-surgery advice though – I’m sure it’s out there. I’m guessing it has to do with keeping the surrounding muscles, etc., strong and healthy. Sorry to hear about his back issue. That’s the big challenge with aging, the body. I’m sure he’s in good care though. Thank you again.
Good job. Keep it up. By the way, if and when you are back in Bisbee, you might want to go over to Sonoita, Pronghorn Pizza. The best we have found in AZ.
God love you! I hope you make it around the world. TWICE!
I know you’ll reach your goal!!!
Congratulations from Amarillo. I do Pickleball.
I so wish I could walk 10,000 steps. I am lucky to be able to walk at all after being paralyzed from the waist down. Then in rehab for two years, but I know you will reach your goal, and I will rejoice with you when you do.
Blessing to you and Bill.
You go girl!!
Congratulations. Keep walking so you can be healthy and this is all selfish so that then you can keep writing your amazing stories. I love escaping into their world when my world or the world around me is troubled. Again I would love you to put together a book of you blogs. I would read it from beginning to end. They are insightful, encouraging, and oftentimes amusing. And they give us a peek into the life of an author. Thank you Ms Jance for touching my life in so many ways.
To quote a world famous, compassionate, impressively productive author, “keep on truckin'”.
Love this!!
That is wonderful!
Keep pushing for that “around the world” accomplishment!
Keep on “Stepping On”……. Proud of you I’m still walking and pedal a 3-wheeler……. Your Northern Arizona Stalker……Love Dann
Every since I had my second knee replaced in 2023, I have been walking..no matter what the weather. My dog is very pushy about our walk. Getting about 24 to 26 miles a week. Glad to hear you are still going.
Yes, keep walking. I remember when you started and you said the first time you two walked like a block and back and were exhausted.
Thanks for your continuous improvement messages??????
Thanks for your continuous improvement messages?????
So proud of u!
I am now being treated for wet macular degeneration and hoping I can still read your books ‘in the rough’!
Reading them on a device like an iPad will allow you to adjust the font to something you can read.
That is so great
You are an inspiration to us all, thank you.
What an inspiration you are. Because of your talking about steps occasionally, I kept nagging my husband for a watch that records steps. Last Christmas I got one! It paired up with my phone so I keep it with me any time I leave the house. I don’t allow myself breakfast until I walk around the man-made lake in our community (about a third of a mile) every morning. However, that’s my limit as I have to stop about 3 times and stretch my back in order to march on. It has strengthened my legs that were getting weak since we lost our dog last fall (dogs do help rescue their people by getting them out of the house every day). I will get another Corgi sometime soon, but need to keep my legs strong in the meantime. Thank you for keeping us fans up on your step routine.
Keep on walking JA. I know you will make it around the world. You are an inspiration. Thank you.
Congratulations! That’s A LOT(!!) of steps!
For a while, some years back I was doing 10K steps a day, too, but that fell by the wayside. Now I’m happy with 4000-5000, 3 or 4 days a week, which is hard because of knees and feet complaining at me. But like you I keep going as best I can. (somedays with only 1000-2000)
I walk 3 miles, steep hills on Fox Island, up, then down again 3 times a week. I just can’t seem to squeeze in more days. I know I’m healthier, but I sure can’t loose weight! You are an inspiration for sure! ?????
thanks for being there. Chuck from Tacoma old shuttle express driver. UR one of my standbys in my computer. Mahalo..
I love how you turned a moment of stern medical advice into a lasting lifestyle change. It’s inspiring to hear how consistent walking made such a big difference in your life—and that you’re still going strong a decade later.
You are so inspiring! Love your columns, as well as your books.
Just finished “Overkill”, and it was superb, as anticipated.
Thank you for the joy you bring to all your readers!
I’m so glad you discuss this in your blog. Your blog on this inspired me several years ago to use the fit bit I was gifted to achieve my goal. I average 11000 plus steps per day but occasionally don’t reach 10000. I walk inside in the winter and your description of how you do that helped me there as well! I also use it to receive credit for exercise, part of my osteopenia therapy. Enjoyed the Overkill book and look forward to the next one!
So inspiring! I am a nurse practitioner and I am constantly recommending that my patients walk! This is why! Keep it up!
A 93 yr old volunteer at our elementary school told me how she keeps young…
“She keeps moving and
Never complains.”
I told my husband I can do the first one! LOL
I note my steps on my calendar, going to add them up today since Feb! Thx!?
A 93 yr old volunteer at our elementary school told me how she keeps young…
“She keeps moving and
Never complains.”
I told my husband I can do the first one! LOL
I note my steps on my calendar, going to add them up today since Feb! Thx!?
I love your sense of humor! And your persistence. You go girl!
Talking about walking. Over 10 years ago, I had to have surgery and he noticed a slight murmur in my heart the cardiologist who read the EKG of my heart inferred that I was morbidly obese. Inquired as to diet and exercise if that would help, and he side glanced at me and sarcasticallysaid you could give that a try so it was on I managed to lose 70 pounds over the course of the year. I have a treadmill at home. I’m not much of a social person so I have a TV in front of me and the treadmill and I get to it four times a week and I know with my family’s history of Arthritis and heart problems. I can only be doing good. There are days I just don’t wanna do it but I know how much good it does. Thanks for sharing your story as well. I also take my old 11 year-old dog for a walk every day and he runs through the field like he’s a pup again.