How do people average 50000 steps per day?

[Emmeli]

Who has the time to average 50,000 steps a day!? How can this be possible?

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity

[checking]

@LittleMato @Captain-Canuck,

When responding to another post, you should learn to use the "@" addressing so that to whom you are responding and what you are talking about can be determined. Keep in mind that when you hit "Reply" your response still goes to the end of the thread, not directly after the post to which you responded (another of many examples of Fitbit's in-house, non-standard, C- quality systems and software design).

[Captain-Canuck]

@checking Thanks for the tip. And yes, ..."in-house, non-standard, C- quality systems and software design"... I've noticed lol 

Slightly off topic, sort of, I've also noticed a lot of complaints about us iOS users not being able to respond to texts. My advice? be careful what you wish for. I had the Apple 3 Cell GPS before the Versa, and trust me...it is not worth the awkward tiny hassle trying to respond on a watch.

Reading the texts and emails, and having my watch let me know when my phone rings, is good enough for me. Most are not important enough for an immediate response, but allowing me to make the decision is a bonus. When one is working out/running/walking/swimming etc, tapping furiously on a tiny glass square on your wrist, is not a seamless and enjoyable experience lol.

[SunsetRunner]

I don't think those claiming 50k+ daily are liars. But I don't believe it's healthy, since it would occupy most of their day and would be like an addict's behaviour. 

I'm a trainer, and when I worked at globogyms, each place had 3-4 women (always women) who'd come in and smash themselves on the treadmill, then the bike, then the elliptical, maybe a class or two - they'd be there 3-4 hours, and were always visibly underweight. 

There is no fitness industry standard for dealing with people with obvious exercise addictions or eating disorders, there's no "emotional first aid" protocol. There should be one, developed in tandem by specialist doctors and psychologists, but there isn't. So we muddle through this. But what typically happens is that a trainer expresses concern to a gym manager who passes it up to the centre manager, they contact the woman and ask her to come in to talk. She says, "oh I've been overdoing it? thankyou for telling me, yes I'll bear that in mind," and then she is only seen in the gym for 1-2hr a day thereafter... but she's joined another gym. One woman we knew of had joined five different gyms in the area to avoid those difficult conversations.

It's an addict's behaviour, same as for heroin or gambling or anything - the person has compulsions, conceals their behaviour, and seeks out other addicts and family enablers to validate what they're doing. Most importantly, it's disordered behaviour because it disrupts the rest of the person's life; these people are not sitting around having coffees with friends, happy sex with their spouse, reading books or indulging other hobbies, and of course most of them can't sustain paid work, the addiction takes up most of their life. 

So I do believe people have managed 50k+ steps a day equivalent, since I've seen people do it. But I don't believe it's healthy. Even the Amish just do 14-18k a day and they do manual labour all day. 

[GershonSurge]

@SunsetRunner,

Your post agrees with the research I was able to find on the subject. I do have points of disagreement with the research. First of all, there is the association of exercise addiction with anorexia. Anorexia is a complicated disease that isn't all about losing weight. Exercising is a symptom for many people with anorexia. Anorexia is a coping mechanism. It should only be treated by those who specialize in the disease. Unfortunately, few have the knowledge to even talk to a person with anorexia. It would be like a gym trainer giving advice on medications for cancer. 

The Exercise Addiction Inventory (EAI) has no scientific basis that I can find. By scientific basis, I mean backed by double blind studies with paired groups followed by interventions and results. Papers can be a point of departure for using the scientific method, but I can't find any evidence of more than papers. It's a case of so many people embracing an unsupported opinion that others believe it's true. 

There has not been a single person in this thread who claimed to maintain 50,000 steps a day for a long time and who made their profile public. There have been people who do it for a month or two and then back off. The credible ones averaged about 30,000 steps a day over the course of a year. 

"I don't think those claiming 50k+ daily are liars. But I don't believe it's healthy, since it would occupy most of their day and would be like an addict's behavior."

Where is your the scientific support? It wouldn't take most of the day. It only takes about five hours plus lifestyle steps to get 50,000 steps a day. The credible people have spent decades walking and working up to 50,000 steps a day for a month or two. Most of them are in their 60's and retired.

"There is no fitness industry standard for dealing with people with obvious exercise addictions or eating disorders, there's no "emotional first aid" protocol. There should be one, developed in tandem by specialist doctors and psychologists, but there isn't. "

Doctors have a poor record in curing people. Just look at the drivel that they espouse for healthy eating that has no effect, or worse, a negative effect on health. Look at how they prescribe drugs to mask symptoms, and they don't address the causes.

Your The statement that the Amish only get 14,000-18,000 steps a day is skewed. The women get an average of 14,000 and the men get an average of 18,000 steps a day. The study was done during March, which is a period of low activity. There was no mention of the variance from the average. 

"Most importantly, it's disordered behaviour because it disrupts the rest of the person's life; these people are not sitting around having coffees with friends, happy sex with their spouse, reading books or indulging other hobbies, and of course most of them can't sustain paid work, the addiction takes up most of their life. "

Prove it This needs to be proven with an observational study and a proof of cause and effect, not just association. 

" and were always visibly underweight."

Prove your the ability to judge visibly underweight. With so many overweight and obese people today, a normal weight looks too skinny to most people. Many people with big arm muscles have big stomachs to match. 

"It's an addict's behaviour, same as for heroin or gambling or anything - the person has compulsions, "

Not really. Addicts of the type you listed are generally looking for a burst of dopamine. A long-walker, because of their long-term goals, is more likely getting a healthy flow of serotonin. Prove the relationship with blood tests or stop making it. 

[Captain-Canuck]

@GershonSurge Ok, you lost me at;  Doctors have a poor record in curing people. Just look at the drivel that they espouse for healthy eating that has no effect, or worse, a negative effect on health. Look at how they prescribe drugs to mask symptoms, and they don't address the causes.

I am sorry for your personal experience with physicians. However, the mandate of Doctors is not to cure people. That is the mission of scientists. Medical doctors assess, treat, and refer. 

I also assume that by "they espouse for healthy eating that has no effect" you mean even though doctors advise that a healthy diet involving portion control and balance, is an important component of healthy living, many choose to follow that advice? And I realize, everyone has a different physician experience, but mine always is looking for root causes to any and all ailments that are presented to him. EG; he prescribes me Celebrex, ice and rest, not to "mask" a symptom of my rotator cuff injury, but to ease the agonizing pain by reducing swelling until It can be treated. I'm not really sure where you were going with that, but I stopped reading after that.

It's just so far from my 63 years of experience with doctors. I have been busted up, sick with an impressive list of illnesses, and not once were drugs prescribed as "a cure" or long-term regimen. Having said that, none of my issues or injuries involved diet or weight. And if it did, I know my GP well enough to know he would refer me to a dietician. 

Sorry, I either misread or the skeptic is getting the better of me.

[SunsetRunner]

"Man, it's freezing today."

"Actually it is six degrees above freezing, which is the point at which liquid water becomes solid."

"I just mean it's cold today."

"Actually it is not unseasonably cold today, the temperature falls within two standard deviations of temperature for September."

"Well I'm cold, anyway."

"Have you measured your body temperature? Typically shivering does not begin until -"

"Yeah thanks buddy that's enough."

"By enough you mean -"

Every discussion forum has one. The human who'd fail the Turing test. I didn't expect to find him so early on. 

[checking]

@SunsetRunner have you ever averaged 50k/day for an extended period, say a month? Do you have extensive experience with endurance walking/running beyond observing exercise anorexics? Have you ever done 50 miles in a day? Have you considered speed through hikers and ultra marathoners? Keep in mind that if you have 100k+ days every once in a while, makes the other days getting to a 50k avg a lot easier (and 'normal'). Granted it is not for everybody, but I don't buy a blanket 'unhealthy' based on psychological arguments. People that think they can define a normal life for other people crack me up. Maybe you can't average 50k with your 'normal' - so what - just maybe other people don't have to conform to your idea of normal.

[Captain-Canuck]

@checking I'm not sure that is what the reference is here. I have friends who compete at very high levels of endurance. One in particular, participates, in a race what normal mortals would consider absurd or insane. The 4 deserts race. Also, there is the much milder annual Nijmegen march in the Netherlands...4x50km back to back. I guess my point is yes, people do these things on a regular basis, and they train hard for them. But do people take 4+ hours out of their daily lives to do roughly 40 km? Certainly, some do. Does it do them harm? Only they and their doctor know. Training for ultra-endurance events is one thing ( my desert racing friend drinks beer and eats bbq meat while lounging on the couch during the time he is not training lol) but as a daily regime? Not for me for sure. I am already fit and healthy (so sayeth my annual bloodwork and scales), so I don't feel the need to increase my commitment. Hats off those who do. I really wouldn't be able to find 4 hrs in a day anyway. I walk my 2 labs for 1.5 hours, off leash , through the fields and forests every single day, and combined with walking to the mailbox, doing "stuff" around the property, I manage to meet keep the medical community at bay. I am always over 10,000 steps, and always have at least 700 calories in the bank when I hit the hay, so I am a happy trooper 🙂 Let the 50,000+ people have fun and do their thing. All good 

[checking]

@Captain-Canuck my main point is averaging 50k/day for a couple of months is not impossible (not even very difficult if you've already done it a number of times, i.e., have built up the requisite endurance and experience), nor need it be unhealthy. Also, that people who have not done it, speak from conjecture, not experience.

[GershonSurge]

@Captain-Canuck,

I agree with most of what you said. My comment about doctors did not include infectious diseases or trauma. 

I can't comment about Canadian medicine as I haven't experienced it. 

[JustTash]

My dad can and has went he is challenged. KingFish1 is his fitbit name add him, he’s undefeated 👏🏾🙌🏾:sun:

[Captain-Canuck]

@checking Oh sure. "Don't' judge until you have walked 50,000 in their shoes" sort of thing.

I have...many times...in the military..did not care for it at all...and I was young and fit. Having said that we were required to carry weapons, ammo, water, and 45lbs packs...in crappy boots and wearing helmets...at a blistering pace, so ya...there is that lol...but in later years, I did do it a few times, just because I was in full blown hiking mode, and accidentally ended up mowing my rather large lawn ( I'm still raging against...and yearning for... the ride- on experience), brush clearing, general property upkeep...on the same day...so 12,000 turned into 48,000 lol.  But still, I could do it every day as I am retired, but I'd have to give up something else. And I'm not sure what I would get out of the extra expended energy.

I get your point. When I was laid up for years with back issues, and could not imagine walking to the mailbox let alone 10,000 steps. Even on the road to recovery, I was doubting the veracity and wisdom of that far away target. Of course now, 10,000 a day comes and goes unnoticed but for the slight buzz on my wrist.

And, there are a LOT of walking retiree junkies lol. Just because my schedule does not allow for it, does not mean others don't. There are many seniors who are widowed/divorced, with no family life, working dogs *wink* grandkids, or time-consuming hobbies. Well done.

Do they NEED to knock off 50,000 a day? No, no they don't. But that is not the point.

@JustTash Something to proud of for sure! Go dad! 

Moderator edit: merged reply

[checking]

@Captain-Canuck said, "Don't' judge until you have walked 50,000 in their shoes". Spot on. (Graph is average steps/day over the given month, over the 27 months that I used Fitbit devices - still got 'em just don't use 'em).

[Captain-Canuck]

@checking I hear ya. I didn't buy one to compete with anyone, I just happen to like smartwatches for the geezer sized time-day-date displays lol. I have loads of watches, all with varying degrees of luminescence and backlights, but none compare to LCD and OLED displays. Pretty sad eh? The whole step thing is secondary...sort of "oh look what comes with this one!" thing. I also find the calorie counter keeps me honest lol. And ya, I do get bored of watch faces rather quickly, so that is a fun bonus. It IS fun sitting down at the end of the day, looking at the stats, and thinking "oh wow! I did THAT much? ...I guess I earned THIS beer :-))"

[GershonSurge]

@SunsetRunner,

Which part of my post was too difficult for you to understand? 

@checkingmade a good point when he asked if you've ever averaged 50,000 steps a day for a time. If you haven't, you are no more qualified to judge than I am to comment on resistance training. 

[Maltie]

Not addicted not diseaded. I have been working to do over 50000 steps at least 2-3 days a week slowing down toward the end of the week. I have been averaging 100-110 miles a week for close to a year since retiring. My goal is simple. I am trying to not gain weight and going on the theory that hopefully if you use it (your ability to move) you won’t quickly lose it!   I’m no athlete just want to not lose it.
Not sure that fits any theory

[prc1977]

@Maltie   That sounds like the best advice ever.... when people slow down, they fade away.   Why not attack aging by walking a ton of steps every day?

I see it a lot: people get tired and sore and maybe lazy and then the movement falls off and the weight piles on and then the muscles fade a bit and then it's the couch and what could have been.

I am going to play it like you do: push as long as I can.   Thanks.

[GershonSurge]

Well, I took the Turing test at www.botornot.com and passed with flying colors.

However, the bot who accused me

of being a bot did not.

That bot rots.

You see his idiocy.

[MTglass]

I set myself a challenge of 50k today and achieved it so pleased with that.

Although I did not find it particularly difficult what I did find was after a few hours despite having a good soundtrack to keep me company the boredom really hit me.

Respect to people who have the dedication to do this regularly training for events ect  but I do agree with the comments earlier that it certainly can be a symptom of addiction ,to spend so much of your life exercising.

I wont be doing it again in a hurry even though I could manage it reasonably comfortably.

[BlehLOL]

Hi

i am a meter reader and yes, we do walk the entire 8-hours. When I work in the city, I walk 15-17 miles (seems nearly impossible, but it is true). Plus, when we read every meter we are able to, we do “re-call” reads. So we have to go back and make another attempt to get the “accurate” reads.

I agree with you. If I read your statement correctly. It’s more or less, a challenge for ourselves. Can I beat my record from last week/last month/last year and try to get 5,000-20,000 extra steps in a day? That is my personal goal (depending on where I’m reading meters) some days, I drive more than I walk and vise versa 

The way you are making it seem that people are cheating, is leading me to think you may have been caught cheating with the steps.

Moderator edit: merged reply