About a year ago I decided to join the Fitbit life. I thought getting a Fitbit would put fitness into perspective for me, but in reality, it just made me a crazy walker, runner, or anything step related. Like many other step counters, the device shows your steps, calories burned, sleep cycle, and you can even track your daily calorie intake. I slowly found myself getting super excited every time I felt the vibration on my wrist and hit my 10,000 step goal. For many people, obtaining the step goal is pretty hard, but for obsessive people like me, it becomes about how many steps over that goal I can be each day. While making me a healthier person this little contraption on my wrist started to slowly make me crazy and now I feel it is my duty to pass on the daily struggles of your Fitbit owning you.. uh what did I say? I meant owning a Fitbit.
1. Working out at the gym must contain the treadmill, elliptical or stair master. If you lift weights this does not feel like a workout because you didn't gain any steps.
2. Walking in circles around your house or work because you live to feel the glorious vibration on your wrist.
Must. Get. Steps.
3. Feeling like you are missing an entire limb if your Fitbit isn't on your wrist.
4. You find yourself subconsciously checking the app even if you haven't gotten up to walk anywhere.
Nope, nothing's changed since I checked 10 seconds ago.
5. If you aren't competing with your list of Fitbit friends you are competing with your previous week.
6. Although half of the goals are inaccurate (sorry Fitbit), you need to reach them so the app bursts with green.
I did it... now time for bed.
7. You find yourself going shopping not to actually buy things, but for all the steps you'll get walking around big department stores/malls.
8. Sleeping with your Fitbit makes you realize you don't actually sleep, you're just "restless."
9. Choosing the farthest parking spot and being happy about it.
10. Getting excited when you stay up past midnight because you get a head start on the next day's steps.
For everyone thinking about getting a Fitbit, I can personally say even though it made me go crazy, it has been a great thing for me. I now realize how active I am supposed to be. If you are thinking about starting your fitness journey this is a great first step. Just beware of the side effects. Happy stepping Fitbit friends!