Unless you've been living under a rock, you know what a Fitbit is and the crazy obsession they didn't mention on the package that comes along with it. I got my Fitbit as a birthday present, and my world hasn't been the same since. I feel naked whenever I forget to put it on and question why I even bother walking anywhere since it won't count toward my steps for the day.

I'm going to be honest with you -- I didn't expect this little device to control my life. I originally wanted it because one by one, every person I knew or encountered had one on and I wanted to see what the craze was about. I had no idea when I got my Fitbit that it would start influencing the way I live my life.

It started with small changes like walking more to meet my daily goal of 10,000 steps. I started taking the long way to my classes, choosing to take the stairs instead of riding elevators, and even go as far as running around my apartment five minutes before midnight (ask my roommate, she's witnessed my obsession) because there's nothing more satisfying than finally feeling the vibration your Fitbit makes alerting you that you did it, you met your step goal for the day!

I was also able to track my food and water intake through the Fitbit app, and boy did that open my eyes to my reality. It showed me how much junk food I was eating, and how awful I was at drinking the recommended water intake per day. It made me realize by seeing how high my calorie intake was every day, that all the fast food and soda I was consuming has been affecting my body for the worse. I started my Fitbit journey unhappy with my weight so I decided to make some serious changes to my diet and exercise plans. With the app's help, I started religiously logging my daily food and water intake to help me become more active and aware of what I was putting into my body. Now almost 15 pounds lighter, it still gives me motivation every day to keep going and push myself harder than the day before so that I can continue to achieve the goals I've made for myself.

Although I often do get made fun of for the crazy things I do to get my steps in during the day such as walking in circles while at the library or dramatically running in place while waiting in a Starbucks line, I wouldn't change the crazy behaviors I've acquired from having a Fitbit. I've made so much progress with myself, both physically and mentally, in the short amount of time I've owned one. I'm not ashamed to admit that it has become a lifestyle for me -- from checking how many steps I have every 10 minutes to telling everyone how many steps I've taken so far that day (which many don't care about unless they own one) and stopping wherever I am and whatever I'm doing to do a celebratory dance every time it vibrates indicating I hit my step goal.

At the end of the day, you got to do what's best for you. To my fellow Fitbit owners, keep on doing those crazy behaviors you do, if you have them, to make sure you get your steps in for the day and use the haters as motivators. And, if you don't own one already then what are you waiting for? Go out and buy one to experience the obsession, I mean power, of the Fitbit.