I just thought I'd report in on progress with our 2012 Challenge. Kevin, my mom and dad and I have been diligently counting our steps with our pedometers. I have been quite impressed. No one has dropped off - (probably because we are quite a competitive family.)

The wonderful unusually warm spring that we are currently enjoying I think lends itself to being active and outside. We are really enjoying our new house - sitting on the back porch and listening to the sounds of spring - We can hear robins, and finches singing, and the unmistakeable sound of red wing black birds. I love spring.

Right now I am averaging 4 out 7 days of steps in excess of 10,000. If I get too busy at work, I have to remind myself to take a quick 20 minutes. The campus is starting to green up, and the trees are starting to blossom. Then, I try and schedule meetings away from my office so I can walk to those venues. Its amazing how those steps add up. Then I can come home, and Kevin and I will do a quick walk around our neighborhood.

It's also very encouraging to see Mom and Dad thinking of ways to be active. Dad is trying to do extra so that he can have more steps than Mom. Very amusing.

We are now approaching our second week of the 2012 Challenge, 10,000 steps a day. We have had such fun comparing notes. So far there are just 4 of us participating - Kevin and I, and my Mom and Dad.

Quick recap... first week was benchmark week to establish the first week's average steps per day. After that each week goal is to add average 500 steps per day, until we reach 10,000 steps, and then maintain until December 31, 2012.

We have all done quite well for our first enthusiastic week! I think all of us, averaged 6,000 steps per day. Second week has been a little bit more problematic- just adding 500 steps. Mom and Dad are in a major competition, and Dad has started to where his pedometer to bed, (I kid you not!)

Keep it up!!!

Somewhere in the world, 2012 is being welcomed in... Just not here in Colorado. Not yet.

So after some thought here are the 2012 Challenge, Rules, ... er, no, guidelines.

Equipment needed:

1. pedometer

Goal:

(average) 10,000 steps a day.

First week begins January 1, 2012. First week, wear the pedometer of your choice. First week is baseline week. For each week thereafter add average of 500 steps per week. Each week note the average steps per week for that preceeding week.

Goal to reach average of  10,000 steps a day in the safest manner possible, and maintain for the year.