Why I Walk 20,000 Steps Each Day
Once upon a time, I lived in Chicago, a city with an impossibly high walkability score. Walking 20,000 steps a day was easily achievable since I didn’t have a car. I walked to work, the gym, the train or bus station - rain or shine. Moving to Los Angeles, I assumed that I’d be walking all over, especially with my dog. However, Los Angeles isn’t a walker’s paradise - more like a driver’s nightmare. My step count dwindled to a measly 10,000 per day, still the recommended amount but not my normal step count.
In October, I spent a week in Madrid where I easily exceeded 20,000 steps each day. According to my Activity app, I was walking upward of 27,000 steps while being a tourist and wandering through Madrid’s beautiful neighborhoods. At that rate, I was walking just under 13 miles daily. Back home in Los Angeles, I decided to try to hit the 20,000 step mark to see if it would improve my overall health and motivation throughout the week.
So I slipped on my walking shoes, leashed up the dog, and started walking. And walking. And walking. Through my experience, this is what I discovered.
Stock image of a walker (credit: Unsplash)
Carving out the time to walk 20,000 steps a day takes some strategic planning. I would add walks to my work calendar to remind me to get outside and get my steps in. I walked my dog after my 6am workout, during my lunch break, and after work. Sometimes, I would drive us to San Vicente Boulevard (roughly 6 miles from the beach overlook to the Brentwood Country Mart). Other times, I’d go down to the beach boardwalk to walk the path between Venice Pier and Santa Monica Pier (6 miles) where we could catch the sunset. On the weekends, I’d try to explore neighborhoods that I’m not normally in such as Silver Lake or Manhattan Beach. After a few weeks, I noticed that I was walking more than I drove.
Walking doesn’t cost money, and I didn’t buy any fancy workout gear. Sometimes I’d walk in sweats, other times I’d walk in my normal work clothes. I do have a sturdy pair of walking shoes (Nike Metcon 9 Premium) that are very comfortable, and have lasted just over a year.
At night, my legs would feel sore, especially in the beginning of my experiment. By the time my head hit my pillow, I was able to fall asleep without issue. After several weeks, my legs started getting used to all of those steps, and they no longer began to feel heavy by the end of the day. The biggest impact that I’ve noticed is how much less stressed I feel throughout the day. If I’m working on a particularly stressful project at work, I’ll take a quick break and get some steps in. After that walk, my mind will be clearer and my nerves less heavy. Additionally, I’m much more appreciative of my neighborhood now (and LA as a whole). I notice the trees, how well maintained the walking paths are, and my fellow walkers. Walking has forced me to get outside, and be thankful that I live in a city where it’s mostly sunny year-round.
Some final thoughts
Walking 20,000 steps has proven to be beneficial for both my mental and my physical health. I’ve noticed improvement in my cardiovascular health which in turn has improved my running training. It’s important to stay hydrated, especially on hot days. My increased water intake has also meant that I’m less likely to drink alcohol during a happy hour date with friends. Most importantly, my mood has improved making me feel more alive and happier. My goal is to continue to walk 20,000 steps daily as I’ve seen the positive benefits firsthand, and it’s been a real asset to my day.
