NatNews

While step counters have existed for decades (the pedometer was first introduced in Switzerland in 1780, and the first step-counting fitness tracker was created by a Japanese professor at Kyushu University of Health and Welfare in 1965), when FitBit launched its first device in 2009, the emphasis on the importance of how many steps one accomplishes in a day grew.

Since then, not only have individuals begun keeping track of their daily steps and sometimes even sharing activities with friends via device apps, but many companies have implemented health and wellness programs that include step challenges for employees. For Dallas resident Taylor Dohar, trying to reach a certain step count each day allows her to challenge herself in ways she is no longer able to as often as when she played sports throughout high school and college.

“I track my daily steps because I’ve always been an athlete with different goals relating to athletic ability,” she said. “Now that I’m not as competitive, I like being able to accomplish a step goal.”

Dallas-area resident and White Rock Running Co-op member Paige Ryder Celuch said she is generally able to get a satisfactory amount of steps in each day with the amount of running and walking she does, but she still checks in every once in a while to make sure that her goal is hit.

“My Garmin tracks it, and I definitely look at it every day,” she said. “I usually don’t pay much attention because I get more than 10,000 steps a day, but I try to hit 10K a day minimally.”

And Ryder Celuch typically will not turn in for the night until her watch shows that she has reached that step achievement.

“I do feel guilty when I don’t hit 10K steps a day because it really isn’t that far to walk each day,” she said. “If it’s the end of the day, and I have not hit the goal, I’ll get on my treadmill until I hit the goal.”

Dohar, on the other hand, still prefers to achieve her step goal each day, but she said she currently isn’t as hard on herself now as she would have been in the past if she does not see that magic number on her watch.

“Lately, my body has changed due to age, fatigue, and surgeries from when I was younger,” she said. “I’ve been really focusing on allowing my body to rest, which has been a challenge in itself. But on days when I accomplish my step goal, I have a sense of self-worth. On days when I don’t, I’m allowing myself the grace that I never had from ages 13–27. But I do make sure that on days when I don’t hit my step goal or when I leave my watch charging, I go for a walk or try to stretch.”

For many individuals, it’s truly a matter of personal preference and what one’s specific goals and motivations are. Steps aren’t much of a concern for everyone, even those who have watches that keep track of such activity. Dallas resident and avid runner Drew Mbiam, who recently ran his personal bests in the 5K and half marathon distances, said he doesn’t really notice his step count each day.

“It’s not exactly what’s keeping me in shape,” he said. “So, if I miss the goal or make it, it’s not a big deal.”

Venus is the hottest planet in the solar system and has an average surface temperature of approximately 450 degrees Celsius. Even though Mercury is closer to the sun, Mercury has no atmosphere (atmosphere regulates temperature), which leads to significant fluctuations.

If you go out in public on a regular basis or have a somewhat extensive circle of friends, you have most likely seen at least one person with a tattoo of some sort. Approximately 30 percent of Americans have at least one tattoo, and for many people, one is merely the beginning.

Dallas resident Kevin Roberts had been talking about getting a Scorpion tattoo for years to signify his Scorpio astrological sign. In June of this year, his talk finally became a reality when his daughter Kristin and his wife, Tamra, went on a family tattoo outing together.

“I finally pulled the trigger and got my first tattoo due to two reasons: my daughter and tequila,” he said. “She was over on Father’s Day and convinced both Tamra and me to get some ink.”

Just like Kevin, Tamra was not expecting to have a spontaneous moment that ended with a tattoo this summer, but when the opportunity presented itself, she said she certainly wasn’t going to pass it up.

“I have never been against having a tattoo, but I had never really had something I wanted put on me,” she said. “But when my daughter Kristin asked me to get a matching tattoo, there was no reason not to, even at my age.”

For Tamra, it was meaningful to be able to experience something that created a permanent connection with someone who is so special to her.

“I was excited to do it and have a tattoo (my first and only) that meant something to my daughter (and me)—a matching double-heart tattoo for mother and daughter,” she said. “She wanted it on the inside of her left ankle, so, of course, I did the same. Now, you know that she grabbed Kevin, too. It was a family affair, and I think Kevin had even more fun than we did.”

But he didn’t just have an enjoyable time—he now has a lasting, fond memory that nestled itself deep in his husband and father heart.

“The experience was actually very fun, as Tamra was in one room, and I was in the other, both getting tats at the same time,” Kevin said. “My daughter was going room to room, laughing the entire time. Of course, now I have to explain why almost daily. No regrets!”

Some tattoos are meaningful on a more personal level. Dallas-area resident Josh Odegard said he had always wanted a tattoo when he was growing up but wasn’t quite sure what to get. It wasn’t until after he turned 30 that he decided on something that he knew he would always love.

“I’ve been playing soccer since I was 4, and it’s one of my few passions, but I wanted to make the tattoo my own,” he said. “I used Photoshop to create a classic soccer ball behind ripped skin and designed it so that it would fit well over my entire calf. It’s a reminder that I don’t just love soccer—it’s part of me.”

Like Roberts, Odegard does not regret the permanent image on his leg. However, he said that soccer ball is not the only tattoo that will live on him forever.

“It’s been years, and I still have dozens of people a year telling me how cool it looks, so it’s still one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” he said. “I regret putting it off for so long, which reminds me—there’s another big tattoo that I’ve always wanted, so I should probably get that started soon.”

WEEKLY PHOTO OP

NatNews staff member Josh Odegard and dear reader/investor Kevin Roberts are basically calf twins

Monday, July 24: National Tequila Day at Legacy Hall
Tuesday, July 25: Sad Summer Fest at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
Wednesday, July 26: National Aunts and Uncles Day; Dallasites101 Women's World Cup Watch Party at Mayer's Garden
Thursday, July 27: Yellowcard: Celebrating 20 Years of Ocean Avenue at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
Friday, July 28: AnimeFest/GameFest 2023 at Sheraton Dallas Hotel
Saturday, July 29: WRRC Saturday run at Taco Joint