About a year ago I made the switch from a Nike Fuelband to the much hyped fitness tracker called the Fitbit charge.The Fitbit as you may already know tracks your steps, floors climbed, calories burned and sleep – just to name a few. I made this life altering change when my son decided he needed an upgrade and bought himself a Garmin. Yaay!
Little did I know that this hand-me down Fitbit would transform my life. Not necessarily in a good way – but that is still up for debate. My days quickly moved from peaceful to panic and frenzied when I developed a constant habit to tap my band and check my steps. I’m walking from the car park to the school gate, I bet I can get 300 steps. Or wait, maybe 350 if I pump my arms.Β I nervously tap my band, and what … I just have a 100! Β Mental note to self – park the car even further next time!
The first few days went by and I would eye people who would also be supporting the Fitbit on their wrists. I started seeing them everywhere – coffee shops, super markets, even doctors offices.I instantly wanted to ‘friend’ them and I gave them a smile that would mean we are in some sort of ‘Fitbit cult’. Apparently randomly smiling to strangers isn’t all that its made out to be.
Things were going well. I was reaching my modest goal of 10K steps per day. Life was good. Then I got invited to a Fitbit challenge on the app. The Fitbit app lets you add your friends (who also have a Fitbit) and take part in daily or weekly challenges. I’m fairly competitive when it comes to things like this -almost in a Monica Geller type of way. I cannot not win. That is never an option. And so it began. 10k was no longer enough. I was trying to get steps in any which way I could. This now meant that the morning gym sessions were clearly not enough to win these challenges. I would be pacing in the bedroom at 11:30 at night – trying to get in some more steps before the Fitbit reset to zero at midnight. My husband who supports me in all my craziness, would reassuringly tell me from his half sleep state ‘don’t worry, you will win the challenge’.Β Me – ‘you bet I will! Just need to get in 1000 more steps for a comfortable lead’.
Obsession continued. I started asking my kids how many steps they got when I picked them up from school. If they had more than me, they would nervously tell me they had PE and we really must drive back home and not walk. I found myself doing high-knees in the bathroom, marching in place while watching Grey’s Anatomy (that by the way can you get you 2K steps – pretty cool!), and pacing around the dining table while everyone enjoyed dinner. And at last whenΒ a friend asked me how my day was going? My responseΒ had permanently changed to the Fitbit lingo, Β ‘Great. I got in 6K steps today before lunch’. And my friend managed a weak smile in response.
I have come a long way now from my crazy, obsessed Fitbit days. I can almost say I am no longer pacing around the house, or walking around aimlessly to get my steps. I do my morning fitness routine and occasional evening walks but that’s about it. And I still participate in the Fitbit challenges and look forward to the ‘trophies’ and ‘badges’ on the app. And of course bragging rights.
Can’t wait to get my hands on my son’s Garmin.Β Maybe that will get me running around town!
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Way to go! Not only on Fitbit challenges but finally starting the blog! Was fun reading about your obsession and man, am I glad I didn’t befriend on Fitbit!
Best of luck and waiting for more!
Great read Nadia! Enjoyed every “fit” bit of it π
Can’t wait to read about your next adventure!
Hey,loved reading it ,I can totally relate to Fitbit obsession , which reminds me I have to dig in the drawer to find mine ,can’t wait to read the next one !!!
Absolutely loved it…i have a fitbit, too…and was as obsessed as you when i got it last year…now, i haven’t charged it for weeks…oops…although i mean to.
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Congrats on your first blog post and on a topic that I know you are extremely passionate about! Reading about your Fitbit craze almost got my heart rate pumping thinking about all the goals you were trying to meet! π Great read! Looking forward to reading more!
This is great Nadia!
Wow Nadia! A great start and read. It made me smile remembering you and how you are persistent when you decide about something! Looking forward to your next one! Way to goππΌ
Thanks Patty!
Thoroughly enjoyed reading it Nadia, well done! Very well written, highly recommended to all the busy mums out there, keep up the good work! Cannot wait for the next instalment. π
Congratulations! On your first blog! Great read… and further confirms that you are indeed a fitness enthusiast!ππ
Infact, what I know you off from a year since I have been here… you are a very committed and focused person. Mashallah!β€π..Which is so infectious and keeps the dull ones like me to get motivated even if for a teeny weeny bit of time.π Keeping my fingers crossed to have the ripple effect ππ€
Keep it up!!! Waiting to seensure more… π
Nadia, loved the blog. I had started with the step calculator a couple of years ago and totally understand the obsession. Your blog has inspired me to action with cautionπ
Congratulations! π
Interesting perspective, I’m thinking about this whole fitbit trend, sounds pretty tempting. I like how you framed the concept and discussed the perspective shift. I hope you get the Garmin! Looking forward to your next post!!
Thanks!
Great blog. I can attest to your obsession, however I think it is not just Fitbit, you are competitive in general. I still remember all the board games in VA. It’s doesn’t take too much to get you excited:) – a challenge of any sort would get you going. I still can’t believe that with 36 holes of golf, I still could not beat you on Fitbit day challenge. You should get a badge of Super Fitbit girl π
Haha! I remember that!
Well narrated , wonderful read π