Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Do I need to update my activity tracking gear?

This is what I'm jonesin for 
BodyMedia Fit Armband




BUT this  is what I'm wearing 
Pedometer

Let's see...
*BodyMedia captures about 5,000 data points per minute and tracks your sleep habits the pedometer counts one (every step I take)

*BodyMedia costs $200 + a monthly subscription fee, the pedometer was free 

So the decision was easy - I have a pedometer and it fits nicely into my budget as well as letting me know in a glance if I am moving like a sloth or the energizer bunny.  

I clipped the pedometer on last week when I re-found it in my daughter's room. I want to know how active I am outside of my planned exercise. 

I work in a cubicle in an office building and although I sit on an exercise ball instead of a chair, I don't walk around a lot.  At home, I hardly sit down, but I want to know if that equals out, or if I am kidding myself.  

For now I am using the number of steps I take in a day to help me figure it out. 
  
My daily goal is a minimum of 10,000 steps or about 5 miles. I have been running at least 4 miles 3-4 days a week so on those days I am definitely moving enough. 

BUT - The results on the other days are dismal. 
I am barely logging in 3,500 steps by the time I get home (less than 2 miles)  Seeing these bad results, I have made an effort to move more but my typical work day is pretty sedentary.(sigh) 


I don't walk 10,000 steps without going for a run or a walk. That means I need to schedule one every day.  The thought of having to do that every day doesn't excite me. I like my rest days when I don't have to do anything even though I might choose to.
  
What I learn from counting my steps is good information, but I want more
I want to know exactly how many calories I burn doing regular every day things. And know exactly how many calories I burn on my slow runs versus faster runs, or weight lifting, cycling, gardening or housework.  That's what the BodyMedia can do and that's why I want it.  


I think knowing which activities burn the most calories will motivate me to do that more.  Right now I am cardio queen, but I know I should be doing more weight training.  If I found out that weight training was a good way to burn calories, I might do it more.  I am a fact kind of girl and you can't argue with data.





Right now, my practical side (the angel) is winning. But the other side is saying, "You need it, you should buy it"  I want the Body Media but I don't want to spend the money and then stop using it after a few months or be hasty and fool myself into thinking it will solve all my fitness/weight issues.


I need some help - If you have any experience or knowledge about this kind of system and its value. Please let me know what you think.





1 comment:

  1. increase in your steps daily by counting time or distance you have passed is better exercise than counting on pedometer watch

    ReplyDelete

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