I just can’t do trackers right now. I’ve tried several and they all end with the same result: obsessing over numbers, then feeling bad if life got in the way and I didn’t get enough. It gives me the same sort of anxiety I have over the scale (which also isn’t in my life right now). I need to build movement into my life around real activities, and being focused on the numbers takes away from it all. My husband just bought a new tracker and for 5 seconds I thought I might want to put one back on again, but I just know where it will lead me: the obsessive person whose every emotion hinges on what the numbers are at the end of the day.
Jillsays
I totally get it, Emmie! Anytime we only consider ourselves successful if we meet a quota (calories, steps, pounds), we are screwed – because inevitably we’ll fall short and then feel terrible. Focusing on the numbers doesn’t build healthy habits, it builds an obsession with numbers. It’s the same reason I dropped out of Weight Watchers. Building the habits because it feels good and brings us joy is a much more sustainable way to operate. Kudos to you for recognizing your tendencies and nipping it in the bud.
I am interested in trying out a more sophisticated tracker (than a pedometer) because I think it would be fun and I tend not to obsess over numbers (although I used to). It’s taken me a long time to get to this place and I am grateful to be here.
Jillsays
Karen, how did you get yourself from obsessing over numbers to not?
I’ve been wearing my Fitbit for over four years now. Every day … pretty much 24/7 (yup, I sleep with it). It’s the clip-on one, so I can conceal it pretty easy. It’s hard to know what “normal” is I’ve been wearing it so long. Like you said, I’m VERY active. I hate stopping to sit (church, movies, driving). I only watch TV while on the elliptical, when I read my book, I ride my stationary bike. When I’m at the boy’s basketball games, I’ll walk around while I wait. I love seeing my activity on the graph, seeing my step count. I’d feel absolutely naked without my tracker!
Jillsays
Jen – do you think your activity level went up after you got your tracker, or were you always really active? I used to have a Fitbit clip on as well – I really liked it, even slept with it, but I kept almost washing it so I traded for the wristband!
I just can’t do trackers right now. I’ve tried several and they all end with the same result: obsessing over numbers, then feeling bad if life got in the way and I didn’t get enough. It gives me the same sort of anxiety I have over the scale (which also isn’t in my life right now). I need to build movement into my life around real activities, and being focused on the numbers takes away from it all. My husband just bought a new tracker and for 5 seconds I thought I might want to put one back on again, but I just know where it will lead me: the obsessive person whose every emotion hinges on what the numbers are at the end of the day.
I totally get it, Emmie! Anytime we only consider ourselves successful if we meet a quota (calories, steps, pounds), we are screwed – because inevitably we’ll fall short and then feel terrible. Focusing on the numbers doesn’t build healthy habits, it builds an obsession with numbers. It’s the same reason I dropped out of Weight Watchers. Building the habits because it feels good and brings us joy is a much more sustainable way to operate. Kudos to you for recognizing your tendencies and nipping it in the bud.
I am interested in trying out a more sophisticated tracker (than a pedometer) because I think it would be fun and I tend not to obsess over numbers (although I used to). It’s taken me a long time to get to this place and I am grateful to be here.
Karen, how did you get yourself from obsessing over numbers to not?
I’ve been wearing my Fitbit for over four years now. Every day … pretty much 24/7 (yup, I sleep with it). It’s the clip-on one, so I can conceal it pretty easy. It’s hard to know what “normal” is I’ve been wearing it so long. Like you said, I’m VERY active. I hate stopping to sit (church, movies, driving). I only watch TV while on the elliptical, when I read my book, I ride my stationary bike. When I’m at the boy’s basketball games, I’ll walk around while I wait. I love seeing my activity on the graph, seeing my step count. I’d feel absolutely naked without my tracker!
Jen – do you think your activity level went up after you got your tracker, or were you always really active? I used to have a Fitbit clip on as well – I really liked it, even slept with it, but I kept almost washing it so I traded for the wristband!