I have a confession to make. This post is ridiculously late. OK- no ridiculously, more like two weeks BUT my reason is ridiculous.
I was afraid of it.
I recently became a Best Buy Blogging Board Member and Ambassador, which is total yay!ness. They sponsored my entire trip and stay to BlogHer (because they are awesome like that) and while there we had a lovely dinner and I got to sit down and really chat with our fearless leader. But also while there, we got out beginner’s kit of sorts. We were given some of the products we will be reviewing over the year. I was very excited until they pulled out the one item I had seen a lot of bloggers wearing lately- the FitBit Ultra.
No, it wasn’t gonna give me bad hair. It wouldn’t make me break out in some monster rash nor would it take over my brain (although imagine reviewing THAT- “It is awesome. It rocks. Go buy it now.” heh). However, what it would do is measure and track every.single.step. I take…or my fear, shout at me about just how much I don’t do, and basically shove in my face that it was my fault that I was overweight. It would tell me just how much (or in my case, how little) sleep I actually get. It’s one thing FOR ME to joke about these things, but to have a device actually track and tell me the complete utter truth, is scary. Because then I would have to do something about it, and let’s face it, I don’t need to add one more thing to do. Us moms are like that- always something to do, never the time to do it.
the colors
So… even though I have had the product for about a month, I JUST took it out of the box like.. oh, last night. I read the quick and easy 4-step instructions and got myself set up in, literally, about a minute.
Then I did what had been dreading since I first saw it. I put it on.
Yup.. T-shirt and sports bra for the one that never gets off her desk.
As predicted, it was very late and I was very tired. So the very first reading was my sleep pattern. I awoke in the morning and did my usual routine and now, decided to take a peek into my results. I cringed. CRINGED I tell you. My work is very sedentary and today, we didn’t have much running around to do. But really, minus the pickup/drop off of the little one…my day is kinda the same, especially when I am on a billion deadlines. But instead of just sitting here and being upset over what the FitBit said to me, I realized instead of being afraid of my results, I would change them.
No I am not about to run out and train for a marathon. But I am going to do the little things like… take a walk around the block. Use the treadmill at the Y. Park further away from the store or mall when I go. Not use my car to go a block away. Maybe actually get to bed before the sun starts rising (baby steps). The FitBit is not something to fear, in fact, while I am not 100% there yet (still grumbling about seeing how much I suck), I am looking forward to the day where I embrace it and say- hey, this little thing changed my life.
Maybe it will change yours.
Disclosure: The reviewer has received compensation for this post in the form of the reviewed product or a gift card. All opinions are 100% the reviewer’s and have not been influenced in any way.
I would love one of these!! I am currently trying to lose weight.
I do that too. Fear things, and finally when I have a chance to use them, they aren’t so scary after all. The fitbit will help you stay healthier though, I could use some of that motivation!!! =)
Oh something that is going to slap me in the face with the truth is scary but at the same time worth a shot. Maybe that is what I need for a good kick in the hiney for motivation. Maybe this is the one for me.
I have been reading about these lately. Looks promising. I really need something new to motivate me.
WOULD BE INTERESTED IN ONE, I KNOW I NEED TO GET BACK ON THE EXERCISE WAGON, HAVE BEEN OFF A YEAR NOW AND GAINED ABOUT 4O POUNDS OF THE 90 I LOST:(
I am jealous. I want one of these so bad. I have an idea that you will become more active if you use it.
Although I am still 25-30lbs away from my goal with a good 50lbs behind me I think with my combination insomnia and chronic pain the fit bit would simply stress me out. Being unable to sleep for me isn’t something I have been able to change in the 31 years of my life. Matter a fact my mom use to get mad when people would come over when I was a baby because it didn’t matter if they were outside I still woke up. Even the ones screeching their tires turning the corner 60+ feet away I would wake. I have learned that I must sleep with a fan on if I hope to get 2-3hours of continues sleep. I have taken the homeopathic as well as prescription meds to no avail. The prescription meds make me more tired in the morning and throughout the next day and I have yet to find a homeopathic that works consistently (like for more then 2 or 3 days). One of the things I wish to change the most is my ability to sleep because when your exhausted ALL the time it makes you crabby. I agree with you on baby steps small changes in stride…that is what I have done to loose weight since the end of 2010. I’m a size 6-8 now but I have a tiny bone structure and my body simply can’t handle the weight I am at. I have had knee issues since I was nine and was diagnosed with scoliosis at 9 as well. My knees now click when I go down stairs and one randomly just sort of go out (I go to take a step and my knee decides it is too week). I think this would be good for someone who could use a healthy reminder to take baby steps. For myself it would be one more thing that would add unneeded stress. As it is with my medication for chronic pain I need caffeine just to get me through the day.
Awesome post Yolanda – and I sooooo know what you mean
I was a little nervous for some gadget to give me a talking to about how little I exercise too. But – it really has helped me too. I’m such a boss, I see the little gadget as a challenge – “Oh, so I only walked THAT many steps yesterday?? Well I can do TWICE that today!!!” Lol. So it makes me want to beat my score all of the time.
Here’s to some new healthy motivation for all of us!
I would love one of these to help motivate me to become more active. These extra 20 pounds just HAVE TO GO. lol
I wish you the best of luck! Keep on walkin!
I so need this!! I’ve been on Weight Watchers for a few months now, and lost almost 50 pounds just by dieting, but I am so lazy!!! I need some motivation and help to exercise.
This is a really good device for everyone to have because it shows a person how many steps they are taking during the day. I think that it helps a person begin to see how sedentary they are and try to make changes!
lol thank for your review. I have been wondering about the Fit Bits as i have just recently heard about them. I totally understand where are you are coming from. I am trying to lose weight and get myself in shape but sometimes its tough. I guess the Fit Bit helps us get honest with ourselves, even if we dont want to hear it!
This is the first time I’ve heard of the Fit Bit, and this sounds like an awesome tool to help with my weight loss. Come to think of it, I think my daughter needs one too, because she is unfortunately finding all of the pounds I lose.
A lot of people don’t seem to realize that you don’t need to exercise to lose weight. You just have to figure out how many calories you can eat per day to lose weight or maintain and then count the amount of calories you actually eat. When you take in less than it would take to maintain your weight then you lose weight.