Step Up to Summer
1 May 2022 - 31 May 2022
Do something great today - Register for
DSN’s ‘Step-Up to Summer Challenge!’
Walk this May – 5 miles a day!
For the month of May take 10,000 steps (which equates to around 5 miles) a day to get fit, feel good and raise money.
An easy way of being more active and burning off a few excess calories making you and your heart healthier for summer.
Your participation in the Step-Up Challenge will raise funds for DSN allowing us to continue to provide vital services for people who are Deaf, hard of hearing and/or blind.
What is so great about walking?
Walking can be done almost anywhere, at any time and in any weather. It is classed as a moderate-intensity activity and counts towards your recommended 150 minutes of weekly exercise.
How do I know how many steps I am taking?
Your phone will have lots of free apps you can download to record every step you take: around the house, across the office, to the school or park. 10,000 steps a day is roughly around 5miles, if you’re already very active you may see that you already do 10,000 steps on a daily basis, however knowing how many you walk in a day will keep you motivated.
How many calories will I burn if I walk 10,000 steps a day?
A person aged 45 and weighing 70kg (about 11 stone) can burn around 400 calories by walking 10,000 steps briskly (3-5mph).
Do I need any special clothing?
Comfy clothes will be fine with a pair of comfy trainers.
What is the best way to start?
Record your daily steps over a week and use the total weekly number to work out a daily average.
Use this daily average to build your steps gradually, by adding a few more steps every so often, until you are regularly walking 10,000 steps a day.
10,000 steps sounds like a lot! How do I fit it in with my busy schedule?
Try these tips:
- get off the bus early and walk the rest of the way home or to work
- walk to the station instead of taking the car or bus
- take the stairs instead of the lift, or walk up escalators
- walk the children to school, whatever the weather
- go for a walk on your dinner
- Walk the dog, or the cat, or the rabbit, it does not matter what!
Will I find walking boring?
Some people love walking, they enjoy the quiet relaxing time they get to themselves, whereas some people find it boring. If this is the case, there are a few different things you can do to make it more fun
- Find a walking partner, so you have someone to chat to as you walk
- Organise walking days out with the family, take a picnic and enjoy yourself
- Walk to a destination, so you have a purpose of walking
What if I can’t walk for a few days due to illness or holiday?
Yes this is a competition but the aim is to get people more active and to promote a healthily lifestyle, walking is a form of gentle exercise that is easy to get back into after break, so just start back up again once you’re feeling better, or when you can.