Where did this come from, the London Bus driver study? A highly cited research article? No in fact this arbituary number came from a translation of a japanese pedometer which had a craze after the Tokyo olympics. This company was called 万 - which if you put a head on actually looks like a running man. This then got translated to 10,000 steps.
I also think that such low intensity exercise can occur without triggering the hunger centres in the brain and if in nature, can overall improve your mood and have a vast array of other mental benefits too.
This quest all started with the advice that one of my friends at my medical school told me. He is the only person who has lost over 30kg and stayed off that weight. Rather than just sitting down and watching anime/watching lectures, he purchased a treadmill to be placed under this desk. Using this method, you can do what you enjoy. I believe that James Clear in atomic habits calls this pairing. In this method, someone who enjoys anime also starts to enjoy the walking too. This led me to often go for walks with my flatmate and as catchups. More influencers are also hyping the practice of rucking which involves also carrying heavy weights in the backpacks as this also becomes resistance training too.
Reflecting on Cal Newport’s slow productivity I have realised now what he means work at a natural pace. Naturally in the morning, I enjoy getting my work done and entering the state of flow. However, as the afternoon starts to approach I enjoy taking more time and wouldn’t mind doing my own personal research instead. (take this out and put into my personal reflections)