I Began Walking 20,000 Steps a Day—the Changes I Felt Amazed Me

Twelve years ago, just after my second daughter was born, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune condition that affects your central nervous system.

Leading up to my diagnosis, I'd been having trouble walking my eldest daughter to school due to leg pain. I also had other symptoms—pins and needles, weakness, and blurry eyesight.

After a specialist diagnosed me, I felt scared. I had always suffered from debilitating OCD, but I knew what OCD was, in comparison to MS. I didn't know much about MS or how it would affect me. I was so scared at first—I thought I was going to die.

I started a medication called Tysabri in the form of an IV infusion at the hospital every four weeks. After four months, my symptoms started to improve, including my back pain and the pins and needles in my legs. But I still experienced a lot of leg pain.

Around that time, my MS specialist recommended I do some sort of exercise to strengthen my legs, as they were getting weaker. I didn't like the thought of that at first.

I've never really been one to exercise, keep fit, or feel the need to go to the gym as I couldn't handle the thought of having sweaty people around me. So, instead of going to the gym, I decided to walk 20,000 steps a day.

I began walking 20,000 steps a day and immediately enjoyed it. I found them easy to fit into my day. I would walk around my house early in the day when the kids were at school.

To my surprise, I had no trouble finding time to do them, and I noticed a lot of improvements straight away. Not only did my legs feel stronger, I also felt a sense of achievement and my OCD symptoms also became more manageable.

I have always found my OCD to be more of a challenge than my MS, but after doing my steps, I began feeling calmer, happier, and I had a greater sense of achievement.

After a while, I lessened my steps to 10,000 a day instead so that I don't strain my legs. It's been over a year; I'm still walking 10,000 steps a day and I feel great.

I spread them out throughout the day though now. I feel happier and my OCD symptoms have improved even more. Before walking, I couldn't touch bins or toilets, and now, I clean the bathroom by myself and touch bins and rubbish without it affecting me.

I think it's amazing how happy walking has made me. I am amazed at myself. I feel strong. I'm pleased that this simple exercise has completely changed things for me.

After walking this many steps a day, I can confidently say that my OCD is the best it's been. I feel physically strong and rarely experience leg pain like before.

I currently still walk 10,000 steps a day and I do most of my steps in the house while listening to music or watching TV, but in the summer, I do some in the garden or around the block with my daughter.

I would highly recommend walking to anyone, it does make a big difference in your life, even if you just do 10 minutes a day.

Any walking is better than nothing, I believe it's changed my life.

Joanne Davis, 42, is a stay-at-home mom. After being diagnosed with MS, she decided to strengthen her legs by walking and was surprised to find that her OCD symptoms improved.

All views expressed are the author's own.

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