Moving right along.

I bought myself a FitBit Zip for my birthday day this year, and in the last month, I have come to absolutely love it.  I just love gadgets!

My little pink friend goes with me everywhere.  I wear it 24/7 (except in the shower) and it tracks steps and calories burned around the clock.  Unlike other versions, the Zip does not track sleep (which I don't miss).  I have the FitBit iphone app, which syncs automatically via Bluetooth, as well as a USB connector that will sync with my laptop whenever it's within 20 feet of the Zip.  It's so convenient it's ridiculous, and since I wear it clipped to my underoos, I like that I can check my step count and calorie burn easily on my phone. 

A little less than a month's progress!

Just a few days after getting the Zip, MyFitnessPal announced the ability to sync the FitBit dashboard directly with my food/activity diary.  My daily activity now automatically adjusts my calorie targets, and I only have to add calories burned for strength workouts.  It is so easy!  The sync is sometimes a little slow, but it's the only drawback I have found so far.  My calorie target is 1600+activity, but it will start out 100-175 less until I've moved around enough to earn it back. 

BOOM.

My goal is 10,000 steps a day (approximately five miles), which has been a challenge to hit some days, but I am working on it.  It certainly makes the tricky work parking situation easier to deal with, considering that means an extra block or two worth of steps.  I've been taking the stairs more often to my third floor office, as well as going up or down a floor to fill my water bottle or just stretch my legs during the day.  I suddenly mind it less if there are three baskets of laundry to cart upstairs, or if I left something in the other room.  Kenny was quick to pick up on this - I have been the one to let the dogs out more and more, I noticed.  Whatever works, I guess - if I hit 7500, I'm happy, and 10k is even better!

Having gone through the TDEE reset earlier in the summer, I was especially interested to see what my actual calorie burn was during the day.  I was actually surprised to see that the online TDEE calculators are really accurate for me.  This makes me feel a lot better about my calorie ranges, and focusing on other numbers (steps, calories burned) has helped alleviate some of the anxiety and frustration from the last couple of weeks. 

If you're already active and looking for a way to challenge yourself, or if you're trying to get started, or (like me) if you're looking for ways to be more consistent with activity, I would highly recommend a FitBit.  The Zip has been perfect for me - easy to use, engaging, motivating.  I've worn a pedometer before (my mom swears by hers!) but this has been a lot more fun. 

How many steps have YOU gotten today?

(*not a paid review*)