So, the all-the-rage Christmas gift this past year was apparently the Fitbit or it’s cousin the Jawbone. If you’re unfamiliar with these little devices, they are designed to help you keep track of your healthy habits. Or so they tout. Personally, I don’t get it, but I’ve noticed a lot more people in my zumba class with these little babies strapped to their wrists.
Now, if you are a lover of these technological devices, and they are “working” for you, please don’t be offended by this post. I love that you’re working on getting or staying healthy. For me, they seem like a gimmick.
First of all, the only people I see wearing these things look like this:
If you look like this, you are already are a fit bit of feminie loveliness. You are already doing all of the right things and you don’t need a fancy schmancy device to let you know it. Just carry on you well-toned beautiful women. I love and hate you all.
The number one problem I see right off the bat with a device like this is – you have to remember to put the thing on. That’s going to mess up quite a few people.
Assuming you remember to strap it on, it’s my understanding that these thingeys tell you the amount of steps you’ve taken. I’m not sure why that’s important. I mean, let’s face it, if I’ve had my ass in a chair all day writing, or in the sofa watching TV or reading, I can pretty much guarantee you that I haven’t taken more than about 16 steps, and those were undoubtedly to the refrigerator for a snack. I really don’t need a device to keep track of that or to remind me of my lethargy. Likewise, if I’ve been working out or jogging I can say, with some certainty based on how much my muscles are screaming and the amount of sweat pouring off my weary body, that I have experienced a good work-out. I don’t really care how many steps I’ve taken; I feel good that I’ve worked out.
The next problem is that these devices don’t hold you accountable. I mean if you set a goal to take 5,000 steps every day, nothing happens if you fall short. If I wear the thing all day and then check my stats when I get home and I’ve only taken 1,100 steps and my goal was 5,000, am I going to go run 16 miles to make up the deficit? Hell no! I’m just going to say, “screw it, I’ll walk more tomorrow,” and go to bed.
Now, what would be really helpful is if those little wristbands thingeys had pre-recorded messages. What would be exceptionally motivating is for a really annoying voice, like Gilbert Godfry or someone equally nasally and whiny, to say something like, “get moving lard ass,” every time I sat in one place for more than about 10 minutes. Or, “you’re slowing down fatso,” when I switch the treadmill from jog to walk. That would be motivating. However, I do see a potential problem with this, especially if you’re working out at a gym or other public place. You would not want that thing going off and have somebody other than yourself thinking it was directed at them. No sirree, I would not want some Rambo over in free weights to come over and konk me on the head with a 200 pound barbell because my Fitbit offended him.
Although . . . if he looked like that guy . . . maybe a visit wouldn’t be so bad. Hmmmm.
But I digress. Maybe instead of a pre-recorded message, a squirt of pepper spray to the face every hour could be used. I mean nothing would get me moving faster than pepper spray in my face. Think of the amount of steps you’d take with that crap on your skin. You couldn’t run to the shower fast enough and you’d be dancing a jig the whole time you were in there. Or, every so often a shock treatment like a taser blast could go off to remind you to get up and drink some water. That would get me hopping out of my chair for sure.
That’s right, these puppies supposedly will keep track of how much water I’ve drank during the day. Hmmm. Is that necessary? If I fill my glass 4 times then I can pretty much rely on the fact that I’ve had 4 glasses of water that day. And, taking this one step farther, if I know that my glass is 20 ounces, and I fill it 4 times, then I’ve had – say it with me – 80 ounces of water that day. No device required. And how does that thing distinguish between water and gatorade, or soda, or . . . oh I don’t know . . . wine? ‘Cuz, if it measured wine in-take I’d pretty much meet my quota every single day.
And, supposedly, they keep track of your sleeping habits (again – if you remember to wear them). At the risk of sounding redundant, what is the point of this? If I wake up at 3:00 in the morning and lay there awake for 2 hours, my clock will give me the same information as that little plastic strap on my wrist. I don’t need a device to let me know that I was awake for 2 hours in the middle of the night. Contrarily, if I wake up refreshed, having slept straight through the night, I don’t need to check my wrist to see how I’ve slept. This “feature,” makes no sense to me.
I’m thinking a much better electronic device to invest in to ensure good health is one that requires you to solve a trigonometry problem before you can open the cookie jar. Or do 20 jumping jacks before the refrigerator door will open. I’m thinking that would successfully solve this problem:
How about your dear readers, do you have a Fitbit, Jawbone or similar device? Do you like it? What gadgets would be helpful in your life to keep you fit and healthy?
Fun fact about me: I am not really into fancy techy gadgets.
Word of the Day: Vugh (alternate spelling)
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, January 2015. Photos courtesy Google Images.
I know how many steps I walk per mile in the park but don’t have a clue how active I am while working, cleaning, weeding, etc. I like to think my non-park activities total 6,000 or more steps per day, but it might be a disappointing 600. Do I want a tattle-tale Fitbit? Yes.
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Pat, I think the important thing here is that you walk. The amount of steps doesn’t matter.
But, if it’s a Fitbit you want, it’s a Fitbit you should have. I hope you get one.
Nice to see you this fine Monday morning! Have a great week.
Patricia
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I was chuckling through this entire post – and you’re totally right, Patricia! I can guess I’ve been sitting too long when my butt goes to sleep and I know I’m working hard when I’m panting and sweating it out on the treadmill. I definitely think it’s one of those fads, something certain groups get to say they have one, use for a short while, then ditch in the closet with all the other awesomeness. You should totally patent that refrigerator idea, and maybe the “Get Your Lard Ass Moving” wristband. Those make sense. Although, I think I’d be really motivated to run faster if Alex Skarsgard was just a few steps ahead of me, looking over his shoulder and smiling…invent that, please! I’d settle for a clone.
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I’m with you CJ on the fad thing. I’m sure by March most of the people in my zumba class will have lost or ditched the wristbands as well. It’s just a weird “invention” to me. I only see these things working for people who are really dedicated and those are the people who don’t need the device in the first place; they’re already dedicated to working out, or walking or whatever.
I’ll get to work on that Alex Skarsgard app and let you know when it’s up and running. It’ll probably look like a t-shirt with his face on the back and you’ll have to have a friend wear it and then run a few steps in front of you, but it might do the trick. Stay tuned. How much would you be willing to pay for it?
Thanks for stopping by and chuckling.
Patricia
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My fancy fitness tracker is my two friends. We started doing PiYo together each afternoon after school. Over the years I’ve done bootcamp, kickboxing, lifted weights, done half marathons, Pilates, and yoga, and the Tibetan Five. But none of those compare to PiYo. It’s a good thing we three friends are doing this together or I would probably stop. Perhaps when the woman on the video says, “Isn’t this fun?” as I tremble in pain!
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Well good for you for doing something. To me, that’s what it’s all about. Just get out there and move. Devices aren’t going to get you fit or keep you fit, moving gets you fit.
You look fabulous, by the way, so whatever you’re doing, keep doing it.
Thanks for stopping by this morning. I’ve missed seeing you.
Patricia
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Patricia, I’m with you, especially on thinking this might be useful if it made me do a bunch of jumping jacks before I open the fridge. Then again, if that stood between me and a Mtn Dew… Hmm, that could get ugly. These things also upload all of your data to a server, so they can display it on your phone, computer etc. But it is being stored somewhere, which means it can theoretically be accessed by someone else. Which is too much Big Brother, IMO. So yeah, no thanks. But to those who like them have fun!
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I agree completely that some folks really enjoy the techy gadgets and feel really modern and cool with these things trapped to their arms. But, they are not for everyone.
You could keep your Mountain Dew in an ice chest to avoid the jumping jacks at the fridge, but that would so totally defeat the purpose.
And that brings up another point about these Fitbits, they calculate how many steps you take a day, but do not stop you from over imbibing on calories. Seems back asswards to me.
Have a great week, Jennette!
Patricia
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Here’s what I don’t understand: If it’s on my wrist, how does it know how many steps and what type of exercise I did? I could’ve done Crossfit where I lifted weights and hung from the bar, and taken almost no steps at all while I work my ass off. How does this thing KNOW?
If I knew that, I might (repeat MIGHT) be tempted to get one.
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I hear ya, Jenny. Yoga and pilates, same thing. You can do amazing things for your health and fitness without walking. I have no idea how it “knows,” and that’s a little scary to me.
Keep up the X-fit lady. I admire you for tackling that.
Patricia
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LMAO! I have pepper spray and a taser you can borrow if you want to experiment with the fit bit (I do not have one of those) 🙂
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I might take you up on the pepper spray and taser offer, but I do not see that a Fitbit will ever be helpful to me.
And you, my friend, do not need one either, as you are one of those skinny minnies who has dedication.
Thanks for visiting.
Patricia
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Being a long time fitness guy myself I see these things as fads, and trends that the sheeple buy just because it’s the hot new thing that others use. Just work out, eat well, walk or jog, and stick with it. No need to buy every trendy techno gizmo that comes out.
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I’m with you, Phil. Is a plastic strap wrapped around your wrist going to make you fitter? No. Exercising and eating healthy will.
Trends and fads like this always make me shake my head in wonder. I’m glad I’m not alone.
Patricia
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