Do you need one? Do you have one already?
I depend on it too much for validation.
When you have a fitness tracker like the fitbit zip, you get attached to it always telling you where you stand, how you're doing, and uploading your data seamlessly to the internet for you. All this is validating your hard work for the world to see.
Before having a fitbit count all my steps, I worked out hard, ran when I felt like it, and took longer walks for fun. With the fitbit zip, however, I'm motivated mainly to see a big number!
You're figuring this is a great thing because it's doing what it was designed to do, motivate us to move more and track all that moving.
Yes and no. Of course, I love my fitbit. Let me make sure we're all aware that it's one of my favorite little gadgets I own.
Now that I've cleared that up, I'll continue.
This thing gives a lot of motivation in its tiny package with its cute little smiles {or couch potato if you're not moving}. BUT beware that when you forget it at home or your battery dies you will lose that motivation and then some. Leaving you with less than before you started attaching it to your hip in the first place.
I noticed this immediately.
I usually take a short wake-up run when I take the trash out in the morning at work to help get me revved up for the day.
The day I didn't have my little pink fitness buddy was the day I didn't take that run or even walk extra. I felt like I was cheating on it, working out without it felt bad.
If my extra steps weren't being counted then I wouldn't take extra steps at all.
That was the mentality I held when I wasn't wearing my fitbit.
HOLD ON!! After a couple days without my smiling fitness friend, I got out of the bullshit slump it put me in and started kicking ass again.
It was good that my fitbit ran out of juice. It was good that I forced myself to wait a few days before buying another battery. It was all good because I needed to realize that I do not require validation for anything I do. When I do the work, I do the work for me. Not for anyone else and certainly not for a tiny pink smiling gadget.
With all that being said, I think it's time to finally get a new battery because I do miss my only consistent workout buddy ;)
Do you have a fitbit or something similar? Have you experienced anything like this? I can't be the only one!?!