How Many Steps in a Mile?

I reviewed my laminectomy discharge instructions the other day. Here's what they had to say about activity:

Activity 

Walk 5-10 min every two hours while you are awake. As your strength increases, increase the time and distance of walking. Many people are able to walk a mile 3-4 weeks after surgery.

Hm, I thought. Many people are able to walk a mile 3-4 weeks after surgery...I wonder how far I'm able to walk right now?

Which meant yet another online shopping trip, this time to find an inexpensive pedometer that counted both steps and miles. The thing came a few days ago and I clipped it onto my clothing and am wearing it around just to see what my initial activity levels are. I'm not setting any goals yet. To be honest, at this point my pedometer is a new toy.

So I did my walking today at a shopping mall; then later at a hardware store with John. I wear the pedometer all day so it includes my daily hanging-around-the-house activity. I was surprised to see that today's total was 0.7 miles! Granted; not in one fell swoop and with plenty of rest in-between, and in all honesty the muscles in my back were aching by the end of the day. Repeat after me, Julia: rest and ice/rest and ice/rest and ice.

But 0.7 miles is much further than I had thought.

Go me!