I have always been fairly active. I like to multitask, can't sit through an entire TV show without getting up to do something, love chasing my kids and enjoy walks (especially around the mall and target). Unfortunately, I have never been a huge fan of intentional exercise. Those of you who know me well are probably a little shocked. Yes, I have always exercised. I truly believe in the health and emotional benefits of exercise, but I just don't like to actually do it. Circling back to my multitasking tendencies, I prefer a treadmill or an elliptical machine so I can read my Kindle App. on my iPad. In fact, I have run outside less than ten times since college. (This drives Luke insane!) When I hear my friends talk about getting up early to go to the gym, I am baffled. I can't imagine someone getting up early to do anything, especially exercise.
Ever since Avery was born, my personal health and fitness has taken a toll. As most moms to young children know, "me" time is VERY limited. If I have the choice to sleep, watch tv, read, clean the house or go for a run, going for a run is the absolute last thing I want to do. Simply put, I need motivation. For me, my first motivation came with a group steps contest. This contest is the Columbia Steps Challenge through Cerner Health. Teams have been put together and the teams compete to get the most steps per day. I love competition and am very proud of my progress, but am still trying to figure out how a few people get 40-50,000 steps per day? Seriously, that is a lot of steps.
My second bit of motivation came from my amazing pedometer. (The first one I bought was crap so I had to bite the bullet and buy the expensive one.) This pedometer I'm talking about is called the Fitbit One. Seriously, it's amazing. It not only tracks steps, but miles, flights of stairs, calories, activity level and sleep. I am obsessed. Sometimes when I am low on steps, I run in place in my bedroom before Luke and I go to bed. It drives him crazy, but he sometimes humors me and joins in. If I'm bouncing around the house and Avery sees me, she often asks how my steps are going. It's hilarious.
The contest started about two months ago and my step average has quickly increased. I now run on the treadmill almost everyday and make more conscious efforts to get extra steps in wherever possible. My weight has stayed the same (I wasn't trying to lose), but my body fat has decreased 3%. I am in an overall better mood, less tired, but more able to sleep at night and have more energy during the day.
So, this FitBit. I think it's amazing. If anyone is looking for a little motivation or even just more awareness of your activity level, I definitely recommend picking one up. It's also very small and can be clipped to you waistband, pocket or even bra strap.
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