About 3 years ago I bought a Fitbit. I used it to help jump-start an exercise binge and did Insanity (I drafted something about that in 2013 that maybe I will post if it still makes sense). I probably bought it because wearables were kind of new and I just wanted one to be totally honest. Lame reason, I know.
Anyway, as with normal human behavior, I started using it, went really intense and talked about it to everyone how I thought I was so cool. And then slowly got bored and came to a screeching halt and put my Fitbit in a drawer. Well, actually, the band broke, the charger didn’t work well, and the smaller band barely fit my large adult wrist, so I was sort of annoyed and just stopped using it. Lot’s of great reasons. But thats besides the point.
I actually started using my Fitbit again. Why? Who knows. Inspired I guess. But what I have been liking about it more than anything is that it keeps me aware of my health. It’s different from having a pedometer on my phone. My phone is my phone and serves lots of purposes. I don’t want to think about when I am sitting my ass on the couch browsing through Instagram.
No. Stay out of my life phone and keep letting me do my thing.
But this is its own device that I wear on my wrist and functions independently. It vibrates when I set alarms to wake me up and when I hit my goals. I even set this little device to send me a text message when I am slacking off. At 3pm, if I haven’t hit my goal, I get a text message giving me some motivational pep.
Another thing that has been great has been great is the encouragement from the community. I have been invited to joining workweek hustle competitions, starting daily goal challenges; and they are super supportive and motivating.
And here is the big story about how I screwed up and missed my goal.
Last night, I realized I was about 400 steps away from my goal.
Anyone ever have that "I have 400 god damn steps left to hit my fit bit goal but im already in pajamas" moment? Yeah, me either.
— Aaron Friedman (@AaronFriedman) February 21, 2016
No worries, I stood up and started pacing the floor while on a quick call. Not quite enough, but closer. I am sure I will hit it before I go to bed.
So I sat down, put my headphones back on and zoned in. And I really zoned in. No distractions. Lost all concept of time and just kept working till about midnight. And then I remembered my fit bit.
I am totally going to nail this.
But the time is 12:03 AM I check the device and its back to one dot of progress as opposed to the 6 indicating I am about to hit my goal.
Oh shoot! It started over.
CRAP!!! I forgot to stand up and hit my #fitbit goal and the day started over. I feel stupid right now.
— Aaron Friedman (@AaronFriedman) February 21, 2016
I missed my goal by a matter of minutes and steps.
I literally needed 20+ steps. That's a walk to the refrigerator!
— Aaron Friedman (@AaronFriedman) February 21, 2016
Actually, it was 18 steps.
I literally needed 18 steps.
If I drank a little more water, I would have had to pee and hit my goal on the way to the bathroom!
So I could blab off a few learned lessons about not waiting to the last second to do things because it could be too late, staying healthy and drinking a lot more water so you have to move and pee, or even when you get a sign to do something you should just do it!
But screw all that. I just feel like an idiot.