When I first signed up for the One Million Steps challenge with Diabetes UK, I thought it sounded fairly straightforward. Not easy but doable. It’s just under 11,000 steps a day? right? No problem. I walk quite a bit already. How hard could it be?
Now that I’m 80% through, I’m starting to see just how relentless a challenge like this really is. It’s not just about doing one long walk at the weekend or racking up steps when I feel like it. It’s every single day for three months. Miss a day and those missed steps don’t disappear, they just get added on to the next day, and the next. The maths catches up with you fast.
The maths of steps isn’t as simple as it looks
On paper, 10,870 steps a day doesn’t sound too frightening. But here’s the thing: life rarely goes to plan. A busy day in the office, feeling a bit under the weather, or even just bad weather itself can throw you off.
I’ve been lucky to stay a bit ahead of the pace, which gives me a cushion. But keeping that buffer hasn’t been easy. Walking when I’m tired, squeezing in laps around the house at odd hours, it all adds up. My daughter and even the cat have probably had enough of watching me pace about the living room by now.
Balancing full-time work with the challenge
One thing I didn’t fully account for when I signed up was how this would fit around my full-time office job. That’s not strictly tru, i thought the commuting to and from work would take care of the bulk of the steps. Most of my day is spent sitting at a desk. To make things trickier, I recently started driving instead of taking public transport. That’s cut out those built-in steps I used to get from walking to bus stops and tram platforms.
So, I had to get creative. My new routine often means getting up earlier than I would have, driving into Sheffield and then heading into the city centre on foot before work starts. It’s not the lie-in you might expect when you start driving instead of commuting. I still get up at the same time I used to for public transport, but now I use it to get a few thousand steps under my belt before I even sit down at my desk.
Then it’s a case of walking at lunchtime, rain or shine, and heading out again when I get home. It’s not glamorous, but it works.
The mental side of walking every day
Physically, walking is manageable, you’re not gasping for breath like you would be running. But mentally? That’s another story. Walking day after day, with no real break, takes its toll.
There are days when I really don’t feel like doing it. When the sofa looks more tempting than the pavements. But then I think about why I’m doing this. It’s not just about me clocking up steps. It’s about raising money for Diabetes UK.
That reminder keeps me going. When I remember the cause, the fatigue doesn’t feel quite as heavy.
Why Diabetes UK?
Diabetes affects millions of people across the UK, and the numbers are rising. It’s not just about the condition itself, but the impact it has on families, work, and everyday life. Diabetes UK funds vital research, supports those living with the condition, and campaigns for better care.
So when my legs ache or my patience wears thin, I remind myself that this challenge is helping in a small way. Every donation goes towards making life better for someone dealing with diabetes right now.
The fundraising target
Back in June, I set myself a fundraising target of £200. At the time, it felt ambitious but achievable. Asking people to part with their money is never easy, especially with everything costing more these days. But the generosity people have shown has been brilliant.
If you’d like to support me and help me reach (or maybe even pass) that £200 mark, you can donate here: Steve’s Fundraising Page. Honestly, every little helps.
The unexpected parts of the challenge
A few things have surprised me along the way. For one, walking so much has given me a different perspective on Sheffield. You notice things on foot that you’d never see from a car. A mural on a side street. Sheffield does have some fantastic sstrreet art. A shortcut you’d never thought to take.
I’ve also become strangely aware of my footwear. When you’re walking thousands of steps a day, you suddenly realise the difference a good pair of trainers makes. One bad choice and you’re hobbling.
And there’s the small stuff, like how much weather dictates your day. A hot spell? Suddenly your step count feels ten times harder. A drizzly evening? It’s easy to talk yourself out of heading back outside, i have definitely done more laps of the house than i thought i’d ever need to do.
Looking forward to the finish line
With September here, I can see the finish line. I won’t lie, I’ll be glad to have a day off walking once this is done. My legs could use the rest. But at the same time, I know I’ll miss the structure. For anyone who has read more than this post on here you’ll remember me talking about trying to lose weight so i will need to find something else to keep me active. I am looking forward to adding more variety rather than just walking.
But for now, I’m focused on finishing strong. Hitting that million-step mark will feel like a proper achievement, not just for me, but for everyone who’s supported me along the way.
Want to get involved yourself?
If you’re reading this and thinking about your own fitness or fundraising goals, I’d recommend giving the One Million Steps challenge a go. It’s not as easy as it looks, but that’s what makes it worthwhile. You’ll come out the other side fitter, more resilient, and proud of what you’ve done.
And if walking’s not your thing, there are loads of other ways to raise money for Diabetes UK, runs, cycles, even bake sales. Every effort counts.