I try to skip the sedentary lifestyle and to walk lots.

Two years ago, I'd clip on a little pedometer when I dressed up in the morning. It counted all the steps I took for the day.

Ideally, we should walk 10,000 steps a day. That burns 2,000 to 3,500 calories a week, keeping the weight down and health profile high.

When I used the pedometer, I was living in Washington where distances are greater and days are less humid.

That made walking natural and necessary. On weekends, I'd walk 45 minutes in my estate, reflect, gaze into gardens that changed by the season.

Where I lived, there were little wild patches as the place used to be farmland. So amid the brash new townhouses and outdoor cafes, there were also wildflowers, birds, urban rabbits and ducks on a pond. Once, three deer sprinted across a tiny field.

So it was pleasant to walk. Yet, I'd manage less than 10,000 steps even if I walked a cumulative 50 minutes on workdays. That involved 15 minutes from home to the subway, and 10 minutes to work, twice a day.

There were a few times when I was over the moon after clocking 15,000 to 17,000 steps. Once, it was during a trip to an outlet mall.

I was delighted that my pedometer posed a fun all-day mini-challenge to stay active.

If I absent-mindedly hurried downstairs without the right files for work, I'd simply reframe the blur moment and rejoice, thinking:

'Great! An extra 50 steps.'

It was amazing how the desire to stay active coloured my atttitude.

I lost my pedometer when I was catching a plane. (Airports, of course, are not grey dreariness to this walker. Think of the kilometres of space to be conquered.)

I bought another one, but it did not function well.

Now, minus the silent voice of my faithful gadget, I'm sure I'm walking less.

Well, I try. Slightly laden with my laptop and stuff, I traipse carefully down two flights of office stairs in my heels instead of waiting for the lift. That's my virtuous start to the work day.

Since I like to walk, I always notice that our wide staircases at MRT stations are places for sitting and resting, not climbing up or down.

We say it's too humid to use the stairs in Singapore.

But even at the air-conditioned City Link, young people mosey to the mini-escalators instead of hopping up 10 or 20 easy steps. I can't help wondering about the millions of limbs that can be shaped up by using the stairs. Plus the oceans of unwanted calories to be burned, or the new energy to be gained.

But my friends inspire me. Instead of catching up over a meal, Caroline has suggested that we walk lots. She has invited me to try the MacRitchie paths and Treetop Walk.

Yes, those were sizzling days. But we applied sunblock, tied our hair up, carried water bottles and dressed in Dri-FIT apparel to stay cool.

We'll soon be taking a night walk on the lighted family-friendly Southern Ridges.

Another friend met me for ice cream, then we walked along the Singapore River and inside the historic Civic District. The jaunt filled my senses and I kept turning my head to relish what was new in ever-changing Singapore.

In France, my companions and I popped into a patisserie every day. We walked so much, there was zero weight gain.

The Internet overflows with ideas on how to embed an active lifestyle into busy days:

Park in the farthest spot from the office or shop. I should do this more.

Play actively with children. When my niece and nephew have pent-up energy from staying indoors, I take them to the playground. That's my fresh-air moment too and I take handweights with me.

Put on upbeat music while cleaning the house.

With helpers, this is barely happening. Kids may not even reach out for their own drinks. When I had to do my own cleaning, I did it in small doses and that built another layer of activity into my week.

Being active, even at low intensity, is fun and relaxing.

I also like the idea of being faithful or disciplined in little things. This makes a difference when we do big things.

If nothing else, walking is a cheap and companionable way to stay fit in frugal times.

This article was first published in The Sunday Times on Oct 19, 2008.