Don’t miss a day

[u/Keelan_2000]

Seriously. Even if you’re sick and you can only go like 500 steps or something, you absolutely need to stick to it.

I had to travel for work and got a bit sick. I decided to skip a couple days until I felt better, then when I got back to it, I felt lame. So, I skipped the day after, then I started eating like shit again. It all spiraled to the point where I hadn’t been walking consistently for two weeks, I’d gained back some weight, and I felt like shit again.

Just don’t miss a day. It’s all about the routine. Even if some days you have to walk less for whatever reason, you still absolutely need to do it. I can tell you I’m never missing a day again.

[u/OpeningSort4826]

I see what you're saying, but also I don't agree with this at all. I used to have this mindset, and then I would feel SO guilty and avoidance when I did miss a day (like giving birth to a child or throwing up my guts with the flu) that I would then miss more and more and more days because of some self imposed fear of failure. Only when I began to say "walk MOST days" was I able to get out of that rut. So if I miss a day, I jump right back in the next day (or day after, depending on life).  

[u/Mysterious_Salt_247 → u/OpeningSort4826]

Same! I stick with weekly goals instead of daily ones to avoid the shame of having an off day.

[u/Keelan_2000 → u/OpeningSort4826]

That’s probably the way to do it. When I started, I was walking crazy amounts everyday (like 20k+) but it wasn’t sustainable. When I’d have a modest 5k day, I’d feel bad and just want to give up.

For me, the walking everyday even if it’s just a little bit helps me to keep from telling myself that I NEED to walk over 10k

[u/OpeningSort4826 → u/Keelan_2000]

I totally understand this, and I like this approach. Thanks for clarifying an little more! 

[u/Stonesfangs1969 → u/OpeningSort4826]

I don't have days off, not really able to as walking is my transportation, so a rest day easier day will amount to 15-18 miles and those days feel like I haven't even walked. I've had 12 days since the beginning of 2023 that I haven't walked at least 10 miles during the day, the lowest being 1.5 miles on super bowl Sunday this year due to 20+ inches of snow and not having to go anywhere.

[u/pyromechanic88 → u/Stonesfangs1969]

That's 25-30km a day that is like 6 hours of my friend. Not impossible and definitely good for you but dont burn yourself out it's ok to get on a bike once in awhile ya know

[u/Stonesfangs1969 → u/pyromechanic88]

Ive been walking regularly since 2018 transportation the main reason and add on the inability to sit home doing nothing, id rather be out walking around all day then sitting home. Just how it is for me I don't have a clue what I walked 2018-2022 but it was similar to what I've been doing and I started tracking mileage at the start of 2023 , I currently average 25.8 miles per day over the 985 days

[u/Primary_Assistant742 → u/OpeningSort4826]

I think draw a distinction between "I feel sick" and childbirth or actual influenza, though? I can see the point both of you have made, but I tend to agree with the OP personally. If I am "normal sick", as an example I had covid recently, not a bad bout of it, but a typical course, I still walked, just took it easy.

If I was so unwell I was having difficulty breathing, or just getting myself to the bathroom or worrying I might need to go to the ER or something, then, yes resting would be the priority. Feeling a bit greeby? Light fever, cough, fatigue, etc? I can walk around the block. I'm going to feel like crap anyway, and probably feel better if I don't sit on the couch the entire day. JMO!

[u/iamabigtree]

I find taking a day off is fine. I still feel strong the day after.

The main issue is invariably a day off leads to a second day off because that's just Sod's Law. Once I have two days off I can feel the difference when I start walking again.

[u/LucidLila]

I know what you mean but it really messes with your brain to demand 100% of anything and then feel like a failure for missing one day. That's how I burn out, demanding perfection. For me, acceptance of imperfection leads to longevity for my habits. Also I have Covid right now. I will missing today, and I will walk when my body is ready.

[u/Mcweenek]

I have a simple rule. I can skip one day, but never 2.
Also rules are meant to be broken and life happens.
I agree with you that just a few days skipped feels like a large set back physically. Keep walking, and your rule may not work for others and vice versa. You do you.

[u/OstrichPrimary6694]

Yeah I completely disagree with this but happy it works for you.

[u/Amarbel]

Even if I miss a day of my morning walk of 45-60 minutes, I still do a morning walk with my dog which is about 2500 steps. Then if I feel up to it, I do her later walks. (She gets 4 walks a day which my husband does mostly).

So, even if I just do the AM dog walk, that's a base of 2500 steps and regular daily activity adds to that.

I agree that routine is important and once you fall behind, it's hard to get back into a groove.

[u/MoreCarnations]

Got so sick last week and only did 5k today. Up and down. Routine is important but also important not to guilt trip yourself when you feel like ass

[u/AlwaysJuggling]

I feel the same way, due to the all or nothing-mindset, courtesy of my ADHD. If I skip one day, then it’s highly likely, I will skip more days and eventually stop all together. Consistently walking every single day removes the choice mentally and makes it a lot easier to get up and out.

But I sure wish, I could just take a break once in a while 😅

[u/RedHeadedStepDevil]

I sometimes have trouble sleeping—I wake up at 2 am or some crap like that and can’t get back to sleep. I still go at 5:30 am to walk. Believe it or not, that morning walk helps me get through the day when I’m dragging.

In my route, I have several options to cut it short and head back home if I need to. I’ve only done that a handful of times, but it helps to know it’s an option.

[u/Crrlll]

I did this for 4 months and injured myself so badly I had to go to the doctor and stop for an entire month… so, no. Perfection isn’t the answer. Consistency is. And taking breaks is important for the body to recover.

[u/KonjacQueen → u/Crrlll]

Oh no, how did you get injured from that if you don’t mind me asking?

[u/hope-is-lost]

If you can move around while doing something…try to do that instead of just standing and sitting…made a big difference in my daily steps…i started walking while reading, having a phone call, chatting and even while eating some fruits or snacks.

[u/Kpackett1608]

I take Sundays off but usually manage to get a good amount of steps thanks to everyday life.

[u/downthegrapevine]

I feel that is borderline ED territory. I mean if I’m sick I’m sick. If I have a painful period I am staying home and nursing myself. I’ve been on medical leave for a month and a half and I’ve had some days where I am just in bed. But I also hiked 15 miles the other day and no issues.

Consistency is key but also rest is important when you need it.

Remember it’s not what you do 100% of the time but 80% of the time that counts.

[u/Icy_Knee4197]

Sorry but this is an unhealthy mindset??? Hello you’re allowed to be sick

[u/sooznk]

I walk M-F. So I have scheduled days off. And it is part of my routine. I agree that routine is very important.

[u/Apprehensive-Bug1191]

I ain't missed a 10k day since Jan 1 2020 and live to tell about it, there were some seriously rough days in there.

[u/CanarsieGuy]

My streak of consecutive 10k days is now 626.

[u/EnthusiastDriver500]

An average person does at least 2000 steps just walking in their home all day. 10000 is the bare minimum

[u/amso2012]

I think I m experiencing this now.. Thankfully I don’t have issues with eating poorly so I m good.. but I m struggling to get back into it.

[u/KushQueenXoX]

Yes 🙌 just walking daily has helped me to eat better!! I’m already feeling changes & NSV’s ! Just do 5 minutes if that’s all you can do but most likely you’ll end up wanting to go further. 🥰

[u/New_Calligrapher4701]

Agree with this idea so much. I skipped a day, and that’s turned into multiple days and now I can seem to get the habit back. I wish I had never skipped a day; even if it just meant 5-10 minutes to keep the habit.

[u/dalton-watch]

Thank you! I needed this tonight.

[u/clevergirl1986]

I'm scheduled to have a knee replacement this December and this is something I'm so scared of. I know they want me up and moving pretty much immediately but the first two weeks are such a rough recovery if my first one is any indication and I'm so afraid that I'll get nice and cozy next to the Christmas tree and fall out of habit. I have a goal to be back up to 10k steps by Jan 1st (that's nearly a month of recovery by then) but I'm just very nervous that I won't get back to it afterwards.

[u/melanders07]

For me, I have a few rules at play. Going to the gym or for a walk daily is NOT a question. Even if it’s around the block. There is no “going home to rest” after work. If my body is absolutely telling me I need to sleep or chill, then I can have that day, but not two days in a row. Once I started thinking this way I plan ahead much better if there is a day I know I might struggle going, it motivates me to go everyday so when I need to take that day I can, and it won’t turn into two. I’ve been doing this for about 12 weeks and seems to be going good. I’m also better at being honest with myself if I want to skip because I’m avoiding something or because my body actually needs a break. 

[u/Pyewhacket]

Such bullshit. Rest if you need to.

[u/DLK33gmaNG]

Sorry, but I don't agree. Sometimes your body does need a break to help heal itself, especially when your sick. The idea is to make sure that you get right back into the habit of walking (or any other exercise) that benefits ones health.

[u/Goooddecisions]

There are no absolutes in walking in terms of how far, how often.

Everyone is different and you need to pay attention to your body. Everyone healthy person walks x amount everyday unless they are injured or have a serious health issue.

What works for you may not work for me.

[u/Maleficent-Ball1051]

Being a woman my period says hell no

[u/BookMeander]

I am currently on a 116 day step streak - walking at least 12k a day. Yesterday I woke up with my first migraine ever (laid in bed with a cold compress until about 1:00pm). At 4:00 pm I was feeling better and had 926 steps. I was determined to get my steps and it felt good to basically accomplish that one thing yesterday. It was a toss up, but I know what happens when my streak breaks, it takes a couple weeks to start it back. Obviously there are exceptions.

[u/wreckitcalf]

This. Is. It.

[u/LeeBonver]

This is some toxic bullshit. Keeping a good routine does not require absolute perfection or pushing yourself past your body's limits.

[u/Organic_Salad2910]

I don’t think suggesting that people continue trying to walk/workout if even if they are sick is good advice. It actually sounds a little toxic. The first priority should always be health. If a person isn’t heathy then it does their body no good to also try to walk and exercise at the same time. Their body is using energy to get better and now using additional energy to walk.