Fit Reads is a new round-up of essays, articles, and posts about using (or not using) an activity tracking device. This week we focus on three classic Fitbit essays. Enjoy!
Stepping Out Living the Fitbit life by By David Sedaris via New Yorker
Who doesn’t enjoy a little David Sedaris? Did you know that in addition to being a popular writer and humorist, he is also a Fitbit user? The following is a quick quote from the article:
Lesley pushed back her shirtsleeve, and as she reached for an olive I noticed a rubber bracelet on her left wrist.
“Is that a watch?” I asked
“No,” she told me. “It’s a Fitbit. You synch it with your computer, and it tracks your physical activity.”
I leaned closer, and as she tapped the thickest part of it a number of glowing dots rose to the surface and danced back and forth.
“It’s like a pedometer,” she continued. “But updated, and better. The goal is to take ten thousand steps per day, and, once you do, it vibrates.”
I forked some salami into my mouth. “Hard?”
“No,” she said. “It’s just a tingle.”
The Ennui of the Fitbit by Megan Garber for the Atlantic
I strongly disagree with the tagline “Fitbit more like quitbit“. As someone who had used a Fitbit since 2010, I have seen a lot of people stick around on my friend feed and in the Fitbit forum. I imagine a lot of people do quite, just like so many people quit any fitness program. Anyone with a gym membership (who actually uses the gym) will notice how crowded the parking lot is in January compared to how empty in March. The good news is that you can beat those odds! Whether you use a tracker or not, it call comes down to whatever motivates you to move more consistently throughout the day.
For more tips on fitting more activity into your day, visit Feeling Fit’s post on increasing Ten Tips to increase your “NEAT” activity (how much you move outside of your workout). I also have a 7 Tip variation for bloggers, but many of these tips are suited to anyone with a sedentary job. Finally, Dr. Alex Montoye of Ball State University offered some tips in our post on Walking For Health And Happiness.
With Diet and Exercise, and a Little Help From my Friends by Will Wheaton on his blog
For most keen Fitbit users, the community interaction is a powerful motivational tool. For some, the ability to “gameify” their physical activity adds a fun layer to the process. Will Wheaton does a great job describing his personal experience.
Call For Submissions:
For the first issue of Fit Reads, I focussed on a few classic essays from well known Fitbit users (and maybe ex-users). The intention is to feature a regular round up about the use of activity trackers in general (any brand). We will explore tips, personal experiences, concerns, and technical considerations. If you have written a post on using (or not using) an activity tracking device, please feel free to reach out. Also, feel free to share your favorite articles from other authors.
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