It doesn’t matter if you are wearing the Fitbit Flex, Alta or splurge to purchase the new fancy Fitbit Blaze with all the bells and whistles including the built-in GPS, heart monitor and workouts displayed directly on the screen; the competition really begins when it is strapped to your wrist. Many things come from the joy of being a proud owner of this interactive technology, then again, you may just want to chuck it out the window as you jump on the couch with your chips, soda and ice cream. Try not to give in to that temptation, folks! So grab your running shoes and let’s get going!

1. COMPETITION AMONG FRIENDS IS LIFE OR DEATH!

One of the game-changing options of the Fitbit is the fun app you download to your smartphone that has the potential of unleashed chaos. This app allows you to track your steps and compete with friends and family who also own a Fitbit. While a little rivalry can certainly motivate you to work harder toward staying fit, some people (and I won’t mention who) seem to think the competition is right up there with Olympic tryouts! My mother and a few of my aunts joined the Fitbit insanity and continuously initiate “Work Week Hustles,” which turn into all-out battles where everyone fights for the title of Reigning Champ with the most steps that week. I know that my mom loves me, but I can honestly say she loves me so much more when she’s at least a few thousand steps ahead in the competition.

2. SET IT AND BET IT.

A little friendly competition never hurt anyone… but if you need me, I’ll be cleaning the cats’ litter box for the next year. The title of Champion is not enough for my friends and family and they usually throw out a little wager before the “Work Week Hustle” begins. Recently, while sitting around the dinner table, my brother raised the stakes for the week long challenge. The loser would own the job of cleaning the cats’ litter box – and we have two cats - until we returned to school. GAME ON! I constantly paced around the house, ran everyone’s weekly chores and always took the stairs, but to no avail! I was crushed by my half-marathon trainee brother. I think I was set up!

3. LAZINESS IS REAL.

While away at college, most students just long to chill in their dorm rooms and veg, barely expending enough energy to reach the microwave to make popcorn. Unfortunately, this very relaxing position will barely get you a measly 1,000 steps in a day, let alone the minimum of 10,000 advised by Fitbit. When I joyously received my Fitbit for Christmas, I never thought of it as way for my parents to check up on how active I had been throughout the day. Until I received a text message from my mom, that is. Dragging myself out of bed at an absurdly, but very enjoyable, late hour, I noticed the text that read something along the lines of “Hey sweetie! What have you been up to today? You’re falling really far behind in the challenge. I’ll send you and your roommate cookies if you can beat me this week.” Better get some steps because when you sync, everyone will see you have only moved to eat food – and that’s embarrassing!

4. I MUST ACHIEVE 10,000 STEPS.

Your Fitbit tracker comes with the capability to be personalized for you and your specific goals. One of the goal settings is 10,000 steps in a day and Fitbit will vibrate and text you a cheer when you reach your goal! But if getting your butt kicked by all your aunts, mom and multitudes of friends is not enough to keep you moving, Fitbit has also included a way to ridicule your opponents into motivation. Of course, you can always send those cute, motivating texts, but a taunt is so much more fun! Simply click a little “tongue sticking out” emoji to send to your competitor and, by all means, go ahead and add a little insult while you’re at it. In fact, I once sent 30 of these taunts in row to my roommate – a little jab that was completely satisfying!

5. FORGETTING YOUR FITBIT Will MAKE YOU CRY.

Whether you set your band aside to charge or take it off to shower, forgetting to strap on your step counter is fatal! Your entire day will be filled with steps that don’t count and will just leave you further in the dust as your grandma passes you. Using the stairs now seems like a pointless task and forget walking around as you wait for your Fitbit to charge! Those ghost steps count for nothing and excuses count for even less when it comes to competing with those people you thought loved you unconditionally! Of course, there’s always next week to experience the “thrill of victory” (or the “agony of defeat”).