I initiated this challenge to find creative ways to fit more steps into my day. I’m hoping you will step along with me. If you use a pedometer and use social media, this challenge is for you. For every tweet, facebook status update, blog comment, text message, friend feed activity or any other form of micro media that you participate in today, take at least 140 steps. If you participated in 10 micro media actions in the day, that’s 1400 more steps that you wouldn’t have had otherwise.

This is an exercise to show you how small steps can add up over the day and make a positive benefit to your health. If you have time to write 140 characters in a tweet, you have time to take 140 steps.

Let me know how well you succeed on your micro steps challenge:)

10 stepping tips that we twittered previously;

1. Pacing the office during conference calls can be a great way to get in extra steps and improve oxygen to the brain.

2. Use the bathroom on the opposite floor that you are on in your home or in your work place.

3. Use a retractable leash when walking the dog. It will free your arms so you can pump more vigorously and burn more calories.

4. Keep a pair of walking/running shoes in your car or office so you can take advantage of any small period of time to walk.

5. Walk down the office hall to talk to co-workers instead of sending emails will increase your step count. This could mean 500 extra steps!

6. Sitting at your desk is a good time to do flexibility exercises like head rolls, shoulder shrugs and stretch your quads and hamstrings.

7. Setting targets is an important part of reaching goals. If your target is 6000 steps this week. Next week increase it by 20%.

8. Taking the stairs instead of elevators is an excellent way to add steps, strength train and improve cardo too.

9. To boost weight loss success, work up to 12,000 - 15,000 steps/day (add 2,000/week) and consume 500 fewer kcal/day.

10. Have kids? by walking around the field instead of sitting to watch your kids play sports, you can easily increase steps by 2000 steps/day.

On a side note, I’ve taken to keeping a jump rope in my office and alternating some of my step sessions with jump roping to give the metabolism an extra boost. It’s a way to mix up the routine a bit more in the office space and doesn’t take up too much room.

Ok, I’m off to tweet this and then do my 140 steps:)

WalkingSpree has several members who have undergone weight loss surgery (WLS) or are contemplating surgery. This decision often involves a lot of thought and it is not a quick fix. After the surgery, there is still a lot of work to be done to lose the weight.

Well, one of WalkingSpree’s members and a previous member of the month has found a great way to inspire many people who have gone through weight loss surgery and are on their journey to lose weight. Virginia thought that doing youtube videos would be a way to motivate herself and others as she lost the weight. She decided to invite other viewers to be her walking buddy. Over time her subscriber base grew and before she knew it, she had several weight loss surgery (WLS) viewers wearing pedometers and participating in her walking buddies challenge.

“Who wants to be my walking buddy contest?”

Virginia then encouraged everyone to come to WalkingSpree so they could see each other’s stepping totals and have some fun competition and motivation with their own walking club. Their monthly challenges appear to be inspiring many and their forum group is a lively bunch. Virginia is a great example of someone had a goal and found what worked for her and would inspire herself and others.

Youtube WLS Buddies most recent Walking Buddies Challenge

If you would like more information about weight loss surgery or support, you can visit Virginia’s WLS Walking Buddies Live Spaces page.

Kudos to all the WLS walking buddies on your continued walking challenge and reaching your personal goals. WalkingSpree is proud to support the WLS Walking Buddies.