I’ve been with Metro for 15 years. I work second shift and start my job at 6:30 pm. When the kids were in school, it was a great way to keep them out of daycare until my wife came home from work. Now I’m just used to it. But I don’t have a county email account and there’s so much info on the bulletin boards at work most times I just walk right by. I walk a ton on the job – in and out of every coach, in between coaches, up and down the stairs. I’m pretty tired at the end of my shift.
I used to love bike riding and hiking and I worked really hard in the yard. Now, with kids, I don’t do much of that any more. Working shifts makes it hard to do much of anything social with my friends. I watch football on the weekends with my buddies, and I’m pretty involved in watching the kids’ games when I can.
My individual action plan choice
I’m doing the WebMD online program and I’m using the walking planner. I just need to enter my step count in the online program three times a week for a total of 10 weeks. I don’t like wearing a pedometer but I wore it the first week so I know I usually get about 5,000 steps during my shift. Sometimes I take the stairs to the break room to add a few more. It’s kind of a game with me now to see how I can add more steps. I write my step count on my notebook (I keep one in my coveralls for notes about coaches that need repair) and log on to WebMD once a week to plug them in to the walking tracker. As long as I enter for 3 days, I’m good. I’m glad I started early – this year the wife and I are going to Vegas for a week and I don’t want to do this while I’m gone (though with her shopping, we’ll be walking tons). With this program, I can skip weeks as long as I make sure I enter 3 times for a total of 10 weeks.
Why this works for me
I’m walking anyway, so this lets me count activity I’m already doing. It’s easy – all I do is enter my step count – and it doesn’t take much time. I don’t love being on the computer so something that’s quick works for me. I did read some of the articles just for fun and found some new info.
Other people this might work for
Anyone who’s looking for a quick and simple plan
People who walk at lunch, with the kids, etc.
Dog owners
Field and trade workers who walk as part of their job
Inactive people who want to set a goal that lets them start slowly
Tips for success
No pedometer? Estimate your steps with this handy step converter
Make sure you start your program before April 23rd if you need to skip any week for vacation, etc.
For best personal health results, track your steps daily. For program requirements, make sure you enter your counts 3 times a week.
