Steptember, you hear or read the term once and probably think respectively, “Oh, I must’ve misheard,” or “That’s a typo.” Then the word resurfaces and you realize “Okay. He didn’t mean September.” Although, the two remain connected.
Every September since 2010 people register to participate in the fundraising initiative Steptember. The funds raised go to Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation (CPARF). To learn more, help me welcome for an interview an experienced Steptember stepper. Me!
While admittedly a silly concept, I do believe this discussion with myself will offer interesting insights to anyone wanting to know more about the fundraiser. So, if that sounds like you, keep reading!
Steptember interview begins
How does Steptember work?
Participants sign up at the Steptember website, vowing to take the equivalent of a certain amount of steps daily throughout September. Usually, you hear the number 10,000. So, the equivalent of 10,000 steps a day throughout September. However, you set your own goal when signing up. Options include the equivalent of either 7,500, 10,000, 12,000, or 15,000 daily steps. Or you could set a customized step goal. This allows people across varying fitness levels to all get the chance to participate in Steptember.
You stated a few times there, “the equivalent of” X number of steps. Could you explain what that means?
Of course I could. Besides accruing steps through running, walking, or however you move, you can choose various activities when logging your steps. For example, physical therapy exercises, strength and weight training, or even house cleaning, all offer ways to add to your daily step count. You select the activity, insert how long you did said activity, and the Steptember app converts that into an equivalent number of steps for you. This provides variety, making Steptember about more than running or walking four-to-five miles everyday for 30 days.
I see. Earlier you mentioned getting to set your own step goal. What step goal do you set? On a day-to-day basis, what does that look like for you?
Typically, I set the common Steptember stepper goal of 10,000 steps a day. Although, for me I aim for averaging 10,000 steps a day throughout the month. One day I might add upwards of 12,000 steps to my monthly step count, but another day only manage 8,000.
Regarding how this looks on the day-to-day level, revolves a lot around my work schedule. An eight-hour workday could account for 3,000 to 4,000 steps while a short four-hour shift will contribute between 1,000 and 2,000 steps to my step goal. A shorter two-mile walk either before or after work contributes 5,000-plus steps to my count. On my days off, I get out for a walk three miles or longer, which encompasses most of the steps I need for that day.
My physical therapy (PT) routines I continuingly do to keep my own cerebral palsy in check offers another major contributor to my step count. An exercise session bringing me anywhere between 3,000 to 5,000 steps closer to my goal. The exact amount depends on duration of activity and intensity level.
Now admittedly, I will have days throughout the 30-day stretch of September where the consistent physical activity tires me out. To balance my need to rest with staying on pace with my step goal, I turn to activities like house cleaning or some lighthearted dancing to keep my progress moving forward.
That’s quite a precise answer I must say. How do you track your step count to know these precise details?
Personally, I track my steps with the pedometer app on my phone and then manually input the steps into the Steptember app. For example, I note where my step count is at when I enter work, where the step count is at when I leave work, and subtract the first number from the second to get my work step count total for the day.
Honestly, that may seem cumbersome especially considering you can set up the Steptember app to track your steps as you go. I just never explored that feature.
How does the fundraising aspect come into play?
After registering to participate in Steptember, you will receive a personalized link to send to co-workers, friends, and family, or post the link to your following on social media. For those who I keep in touch with via email, I use the occasion to write a message asking about how they are doing, sharing how I am doing overall, mentioning Steptember, and enclosing the link just in case they would like to show support with a donation.
Additionally, I like to share on social media how I am completing my steps. To do this I create graphics summarizing step count and miles walked, film short videos of my exercising, and even videos of some silly dancing. At the end I either leave my link to donate or instructions where to find said link. Speaking of which, if anyone reading this interview wants to support my current Steptember campaign, I’m sure Zach will attach the link here.
Ha, ha. Yes, of course. Besides the plug for your current Steptember campaign, did you want to share anything else?
For anyone contemplating participating in a future Steptember but remain hesitant because staying active everyday over an entire month feels like a lofty goal, I understand. Steptember qualifies as an intimidating fitness challenge. Rising to said challenge though, proves a rewarding journey.
I know this not just from participating in Steptember for years, but before that putting in the work to walk 26.2 miles and become a marathoner. A feat I once deemed “unreasonable” due to my cerebral palsy. I document how I accomplished this “unreasonable” feat in my marathon memoir Slow and Cerebral. The book should help provide a few takeaways you could utilize to act on your ambitions and become a successful Steptember stepper.
Time to wrap up. Any final thoughts you want to leave the reader with today?
First, feel free to ask me your questions about Steptember. Just place them in the comments. Beyond that, let’s echo that same thought you almost always end your blog posts and YouTube videos with. Don’t blend in. Blend out!
-Zachary
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