I now have three full months of FitBit (pedometer) data. In October, I increased my step count by more than 10,000 steps. In November, I increased my step count by another 3,000 steps. I am also increasing the number of days where my step count is above 7,500 which is considered light active.
But, but, but, I still have quite a ways to go. I still have too many days below 5,000 steps which is considered sedentary.
Surprisingly, I often have low step count days during the weekend. It would seem on days that are less structured, I should have more exercise opportunities but I don't. Instead, I sleep in, hang out on the couch with my husband, maybe run a few errands but I don't schedule exercise and that means it doesn't happen,
Onward and upward.
Showing posts with label FitBit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FitBit. Show all posts
Monday, December 2, 2013
Friday, October 11, 2013
Pedi Toes Lead the Way
Pedicures certainly should be classified as a want when one is doing a budget or a spending plan. But for a South Florida gal, like me, they nudge into the category of need since my toes are exposed on a regular basis. I wear peep toe pumps at work and sandals and flip flops on the weekend so unsightly toes are something I "need" to avoid.
Over the last year or so, having a regular pedicure has turned into a regular habit for me. While I strive to avoid lifestyle inflation, I have just worked this service into my regular expenses, as part of my allowance. Said another way, while I am spending more on my toes I am not spending more in general.
I pay quite a bit to have my hair cut, I've got long hair complicated hair and this is an expense that has been part of my regular budget since college. So the spa/salon where I get my hair cut offers a very nice pedicure service which I have used with some regularity over the last few years. Basically, when I get my hair cut, every six weeks, I often get my toes done. The cost at this location is $55 ($65 with tip). A pedicure at this spot is a luxury experience, super nice massage chairs and thorough and pampered experience. The pedicure lasts quite a long time, normally at least two and half weeks or so.
On the other end of the spectrum, there is a no-frills nail salon near my office which charges $22 for a pedicure ($27 with tip). This spot is very convenient and has later hours so it is an easy stop after work. But, there are no massage chairs and I don't find it to be a relaxing experience. The pedicure from this place lasts a week or so.
So recently, I bought a Groupon for a day spa located near my home (I had no idea it was there) and had a great pedi and mani for $30. It is a great spa, new and well appointed (meaning that it had great massage chairs). My Groupon pedi lasted for more than two weeks (really almost three weeks) and I was very happy with the quality of the services. Even though I only had a classic pedi, the treatment and time almost reached spa level pedi in my mind. So, the Groupon worked, and I went back for another pedi this past weekend. The regular price for a classic pedicure is $40 ($50 with tip) so this spot falls in between the prices of the spa/salon where I get my hair cut and the convenient spot near work. But, I would say that this new location provides similar quality and level of service as the $55 pedi. The only down side is that this place is not open late so it has to be a Saturday stop for me and my Saturdays are always busy.
I've really found that paying a bit more for quality is saving me time (since I don't have to have a cheap pedi every week or so) and increasing my joy in that I really enjoy the experience.
Over the last year or so, having a regular pedicure has turned into a regular habit for me. While I strive to avoid lifestyle inflation, I have just worked this service into my regular expenses, as part of my allowance. Said another way, while I am spending more on my toes I am not spending more in general.
I pay quite a bit to have my hair cut, I've got long hair complicated hair and this is an expense that has been part of my regular budget since college. So the spa/salon where I get my hair cut offers a very nice pedicure service which I have used with some regularity over the last few years. Basically, when I get my hair cut, every six weeks, I often get my toes done. The cost at this location is $55 ($65 with tip). A pedicure at this spot is a luxury experience, super nice massage chairs and thorough and pampered experience. The pedicure lasts quite a long time, normally at least two and half weeks or so.
On the other end of the spectrum, there is a no-frills nail salon near my office which charges $22 for a pedicure ($27 with tip). This spot is very convenient and has later hours so it is an easy stop after work. But, there are no massage chairs and I don't find it to be a relaxing experience. The pedicure from this place lasts a week or so.
So recently, I bought a Groupon for a day spa located near my home (I had no idea it was there) and had a great pedi and mani for $30. It is a great spa, new and well appointed (meaning that it had great massage chairs). My Groupon pedi lasted for more than two weeks (really almost three weeks) and I was very happy with the quality of the services. Even though I only had a classic pedi, the treatment and time almost reached spa level pedi in my mind. So, the Groupon worked, and I went back for another pedi this past weekend. The regular price for a classic pedicure is $40 ($50 with tip) so this spot falls in between the prices of the spa/salon where I get my hair cut and the convenient spot near work. But, I would say that this new location provides similar quality and level of service as the $55 pedi. The only down side is that this place is not open late so it has to be a Saturday stop for me and my Saturdays are always busy.
I've really found that paying a bit more for quality is saving me time (since I don't have to have a cheap pedi every week or so) and increasing my joy in that I really enjoy the experience.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
FitBit Data - Update # 1
Earlier I posted about my new FitBit and improving my fitness through data.
A week or so into using the FitBit, I've determined the following. I am averaging about 5,400 steps a day which is well below my goal of 10,000 steps per day. On exercise days, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I obviously do better and approach 8,000 to 8,500 steps on average. On non-exercise days (Tuesday and Thursday) I've improved a bit by watching my FitBit data, and I've moved my average step count from about 3,500 to 4,000 steps on average. Certain guidance I've found suggests a reasonable goal of improving week over week step numbers by 20%
Most surprising is my weekend step count which is dismal. On days I have the most free time, it appears that I am stepping/moving the least. I do know what happens, I get up and I go out to run errands (Saturday) which doesn't involve that much walking since I'm in my car. On Sunday, I tend to either be at the office or relaxing at home.
Analyzing the tracking data from my FitBit also reveals that my activity level is color coded. My exercise steps are coded as green, less active is orange and sedentary is red. I can't find any information as to whqt the colors are supposed to mean, but I can guess.
I am working on setting up a TV/DVD player in the garage and I have a plan to do Zumba, which involves lots of steps, twice a week. But, so far, I've been having technology problems. Yesterday I had the video working but not the sound, then in trying to get the sound working I lost the video. Mr. Sam said he would work on these issues for me today (I hope he does).
Otherwise, I need to walk Snarfle the dog when I get home each night.
A week or so into using the FitBit, I've determined the following. I am averaging about 5,400 steps a day which is well below my goal of 10,000 steps per day. On exercise days, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I obviously do better and approach 8,000 to 8,500 steps on average. On non-exercise days (Tuesday and Thursday) I've improved a bit by watching my FitBit data, and I've moved my average step count from about 3,500 to 4,000 steps on average. Certain guidance I've found suggests a reasonable goal of improving week over week step numbers by 20%
Most surprising is my weekend step count which is dismal. On days I have the most free time, it appears that I am stepping/moving the least. I do know what happens, I get up and I go out to run errands (Saturday) which doesn't involve that much walking since I'm in my car. On Sunday, I tend to either be at the office or relaxing at home.
Analyzing the tracking data from my FitBit also reveals that my activity level is color coded. My exercise steps are coded as green, less active is orange and sedentary is red. I can't find any information as to whqt the colors are supposed to mean, but I can guess.
I am working on setting up a TV/DVD player in the garage and I have a plan to do Zumba, which involves lots of steps, twice a week. But, so far, I've been having technology problems. Yesterday I had the video working but not the sound, then in trying to get the sound working I lost the video. Mr. Sam said he would work on these issues for me today (I hope he does).
Otherwise, I need to walk Snarfle the dog when I get home each night.
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Improvement Through Data - Fitness
As someone who has improved their finances by utilizing data, I am a fan of tracking data. For our personal finances, we use Quicken to track our spending, easily downloaded from the Wells Fargo web site. We also utilize an Excel spreadsheet to track our annual savings goals (when we were killing our $55,000 in unsecured debt we also used Excel to track our progress).
My employer has a fitness/health initiative (designed to reduce health insurance costs) and they recently offered use of a FitBit Zip which keeps track of steps, distance and calories burned through exercise. I recently set mine up and it is illuminating to see how little I move even though I exercise regularly and make an effort to walk during my day. On the days I exercise, walk 45 minutes three times a week, I accumulate about 7,500 steps which is considered light active. My goal is 10,000 steps per day which would push me into the active status
On days I don't exercise I only get about 3,500 steps although I do, already, take breaks during the day to get out from behind my desk and I try to take the stairs into and out of my office. Under 5000 steps per day can indicate a sedentary lifestyle sedentary lifestyle and the associated risk factors related to same.
I think the idea of tracking my activities will make me more accountable, to myself, and is likely to increase my activity. I know that I respond well to tracking my data and I'm interested in seeing how utilizing the FitBit can help me in this regard.
How about you, do you use any of these methods to track activity? Does tracking work for you?
My employer has a fitness/health initiative (designed to reduce health insurance costs) and they recently offered use of a FitBit Zip which keeps track of steps, distance and calories burned through exercise. I recently set mine up and it is illuminating to see how little I move even though I exercise regularly and make an effort to walk during my day. On the days I exercise, walk 45 minutes three times a week, I accumulate about 7,500 steps which is considered light active. My goal is 10,000 steps per day which would push me into the active status
On days I don't exercise I only get about 3,500 steps although I do, already, take breaks during the day to get out from behind my desk and I try to take the stairs into and out of my office. Under 5000 steps per day can indicate a sedentary lifestyle sedentary lifestyle and the associated risk factors related to same.
I think the idea of tracking my activities will make me more accountable, to myself, and is likely to increase my activity. I know that I respond well to tracking my data and I'm interested in seeing how utilizing the FitBit can help me in this regard.
How about you, do you use any of these methods to track activity? Does tracking work for you?
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