"Pokémon GO" has taken the virtual world by storm with its addicting elements of finding Pokémon in real life, hitting landmarks and taking over real buildings that have been marked as Pokémon gyms. What is most remarkable about this app is that it has gotten people off their butts in front of the television and on their feet – it has been reported that the app has led to more activity in both the young and old.
Being able to catch Pokémon is a dream come true for many people, as it provides somewhat of a cure for the '90s kid’s nostalgia for the handheld Game Boy consoles and Nintendo games. Though I was one of those kids that was constantly glued to those electronics, I have been trying my best to resist getting sucked in to the "Pokémon GO" phase, mainly because I fear my enjoyment and addiction to the game will go too far. I have a history of becoming very fixated on activities or material goods I like for extended periods of time and going into “tunnel vision mode” where I cannot stop thinking about or doing that activity. So, unfortunately, I’ve decided to keep away from the craze, especially with the fear that it could potentially flow into the fall semester as well (as if I need any more distractions, right?)
Even if I keep away from participating in playing, I am still moved by the fact that it has been recognized for getting people moving and exercising more often than they have in the past. Hearing my friends’ stories of how they go for long walks during their breaks at work or even just deciding to get up and move instead of staying idle at home has been great to see, especially as a fitness enthusiast myself.
Now, I know that calling myself a “fitness enthusiast” would be all the more reason to be excited about "Pokémon GO," right? I could hatch eggs really quickly, cover more ground to find more Pokémon, and take over more gyms. However, before this app became a big thing, I had already been eyeing and thinking about getting a FitBit after one of my closest friends got one. At first I thought, “I’m already active enough – why do I need to track my steps?” But when I saw the competitive edge she got from trying to beat her family members, I could see how this little device could also be good for seeing exactly how much activity I get; this can prove to be particularly helpful especially when I overestimate or underestimate how much I move throughout the day.
I finally decided to invest in a FitBit One to track my activity. I decided to get this model because it was discreet and I liked the idea of strapping it onto my pants and then forgetting about it for the rest of the day while I moved. I wanted to see exactly what at least three ways a day with my dog, 45-minute walks to walk, and afternoon walks racked up in steps. I’ve been using my FitBit for about two and a half weeks now, and I must say, I am pleasantly surprised with my results.
As a result of keeping this pedometer on me, I noticed that I would check it after each long bout of travel – my 20-minute walks with my dog garnered about 1,000 steps, my 45-minute walks to work gave me about 2,500, etc. The FitBit app also reminds you that there is a 10,000 step a day recommendation to maintain a healthy weight, and so I keep a closer eye on my activity early on in the day to be sure I meet this goal. I have noticed that since traveling with this FitBit, I push myself to walk more often – I get satisfaction from seeing numbers in the tens of thousands at the end of the day. Not only that, the FitBit app has a quasi-reward system where it sends emails to me when I reach certain goals, like climbing a certain amount of floors in a day. I know that the excitement of just numbers may not match that of finding some rare and cool Pokémon, but seeing how technology can truly motivate people to get more exercise is incredible.
FitBit and "Pokémon GO" have contributed to the increasing activity levels of the present generation in their own unique ways. I definitely lean towards using FitBit a little more, just because I personally don’t like looking at my phone while walking around in the city, especially if I know I am going to be in a densely populated area. Even still, I still appreciate hearing people’s stories about what Pokémon they find and where they find it. People getting excited about being active should be celebrated, and it’s phenomenal that it can stem from the advancement of technology!
What are some things that get you up and moving? Does the technology help? Is it frustrating in any way for you? Whether or not you may need an app to motivate you, it’s always helpful to know that there are tools that can make being active a little more enjoyable!
