Recently, my father decided he didn't want his Fitbit anymore and asked me if I wanted to give it a try. For starters, a Fitbit is a bracelet that contains a tracker that, at the minimum, regulates how many footsteps you take a day and how well you sleep. More advanced Fitbits can also keep track of your heart rate. Once you download the app to your cellular device, you can check your progress throughout the day -- it's rather addicting.
To begin, when you first download the app, you are asked to set your goals. You type in your height, weight, step goal and sleep goal. The average step goal is 10,000 and the average sleep goal is 8 hours. I wanted to give it a go and so far, so good.
Before I had a Fitbit, I assumed that I easily took 10,000 steps a day due to my Orange Theory Fitness addiction. Boy, was I wrong. Taking one Orange Theory class definitely put me on the right track, but I averaged about 5,000 steps each class, which is only halfway to my goal.
After I came to the realization that I needed to be more active during the day, I changed up a few things and I immediately started seeing results with my energy levels. First, I stopped taking the bus when I was lazy and I started walking to my classes that were about 15-20 minutes away. I am more motivated to walk around campus in order to accumulate steps, which I believe is great.
Although most of us think a 20-minute walk in the Florida heat is awful, it is definitely doable. Put on a pair of comfortable athletic shoes, grab a water bottle, throw on a frat tank and Nike shorts and you're ready to go. I would advise you to walk with a friend or to call someone during the long walk to keep yourself entertained. I, for one, get bored very easily, so I love talking on the phone or listening to music on my walks to class. The Fitbit has definitely encouraged me to walk around campus more and to be more active instead of taking the bus when I can easily walk.
Secondly, I now go on walks every day after dinner. Years ago, a nutritionist told me that walks after dinner are great for your digestion system, mental health and physical well-being. I always want to accomplish my 10,000 step goal, so I take these walks daily in order to complete my steps for the day. Along with two of my good friends that have Fitbits, I walk circles around sorority row and throughout campus. Ever since I entered the Fitbit world, I have become a lot more active during the day and in the evenings. I feel that I have more energy and am somewhat in better moods (for the most part).
The Fitbit also specializes in tracking sleep habits. It takes your heart rate into consideration to determine how many times you were asleep, restless and awake throughout the night. I have been focusing on getting my eight hours of sleep, but college life makes this a bit difficult between studying all night in the library and going to social events. Although I usually don't reach my 8-hour goal, I am more conscious about healthy sleeping patterns.
I truly recommend investing in a Fitbit because I am now more aware of my energy levels, physical activity during the day and sleeping patterns. There are also features on the app where you can track your food and water intake, "friend" others who have the Fitbit to compete in step competitions and more! My lifestyle has changed quite a bit as the Fitbit constantly reminds me to be more health-conscious.
