Fitbit Foray (Cheers!)

There's good news on this end.  The Fitbit folks got back to me, but it hasn't been acting up since I contacted them so I guess it felt threatened and corrected itself.  ;)  More likely, I had goofed the day it lost steps!

The "Weekend Warrior" challenge in which I participated last weekend was won by.......me!  Thanks to the others who did well also!

Finally........the scale has budged!  I'm officially down three pounds.  If I could do that every month for the next three months, I'll be a happy camper.  Of course, I'll have to keep my portions of food down as I'm still doing some "sweet" indulging.

TTFN

A Fitbit Foray (Glitch #2)

Although I'm having a great time with the Fitbit, and have overcome glitch #1 (putting it on), another glitch has developed.  Without warning, the device loses steps.  This morning I had put in more than 4,000 steps when all of a sudden it dropped to almost 2,000 steps.  I have a note in to the Fitbit folks...  hope they can tell me what to do!

Fitbit Foray (Success on more than one front!)

Achieved over 10,000 steps yesterday!  I'm sure that will not happen everyday, but this is a milestone for me.  We finally have a good taste of spring and that sure helps.  Now if I could just get the scale to budge...

I'm sending a big "thank you" to my neighbor who just fixed the computer problem of not syncing correctly.  It's nice to have an engineer that lives across the street!

If anyone else would like to be a fitbit buddy, just send out an invite!

Happy stepping!

Fitbit Foray (What a challenge!)

Here's the latest Fitbit update!

The most steps I've been able to get in a day is a little over 8,000 which means I haven't quite met my goal of 10,000.  Today was a good start...over 5,000 by 10:am.  There are two explanations for this recent "success".  I must admit that I'm a member of the Kohler Sports Core which gives me access to  more opportunities than most folks have.  Our "Prime Time" class there, geared for senior citizens is taught by a marvelous instructor and I'm able to take advantage of that at least twice a week.  She really keeps us moving and on our feet!  Also, the Sports Core is about a mile from our home, so with our weather gradually improving, I can walk there.

Yesterday, however, was a no exercise day, as I worked at the polls from 6:30am to 1:30 pm.  After that, I was only able to get in a few household chores and take a nap!  So yesterday was only about 3,000 steps.

Many thanks to my new Fitbit friend.  I look forward to her challenges!!

Fitbit Foray (the good and the glitch)

Welcome back!

Even though I didn't meet my Fitbit goal of 10,000 steps yesterday, I'm pleased to have logged more than 8,000.  As DH reminded me,  "Progress, not perfection!"  The majority of those steps occurred on a morning walk around the neighborhood, but it's amazing to see how many steps can be accrued with everyday activities.  That's the good news.

The glitch happened quite early;  I find it difficult to put on the Fitbit!  The device I have is a Fitbit Flex which seems to require acrobatic maneuvers to align the holes before securing the clasp.  It is possible, however, and a friend to has used a Fitbit for over a year tells me that it will get easier.  This same friend frequently walks more than 20,000 steps a day.  Wow!  She does have an active dog that she walks several times a day, and that helps.

Speaking of friends, I'd love to find someone with a Fitbit to "friend", preferably a relatively new Fitbit user.  You don't have to be 72.  Let me know with a comment!

A new post will be coming soon!

Fitbit Foray (from a little old lady's point of view)

Hello, again, my dear blog!  After more than a two year hiatus,  I'm ready to try a new approach with some new goals.  You are most welcome to follow this journey or check it out sporadically.

Just recently, my Fitbit arrived.  My step-son introduced me to the concept a year ago, and I finally took the plunge.  A Fitbit is a device to wear on one's non-dominant wrist which tracks the steps a person takes every day and encourages the completion of various activity and eating goals.

All of my life has been a battle to stay fit.  Even it I am an old lady, the "little" part of the title has never been true!  I'm not fond of exercise and love to eat anything sweet or salty.  Now, at age 72 (almost 73),  I'm willing to use the new Fitbit to improve the quality of my life for all the rest of it.  I do plan to have a long "rest" of it and hope to be healthy doing it!

After a few trials and the gradual improvement of the weather around here,  I'm officially starting today.  Despite the 28 degree temperature this morning, I clocked 3,308 steps walking around our little neighborhood.  The 10,000 step goal may not be completed today, but I'll keep you posted.  The secondary goal is a loss of 14 pounds.  I promise to give an accurate account of that as well, though I know there will be lapses and restarts.  I also promise not to turn this into a "Julie and Julia" column as I try to give the Fitbit a fair shake!

All reasonably positive comments and suggestions will be considered!

A.........dventures with Camille in Kohler Part II

Today Camille invited her friend, Oscar, to visit the Kohler Sports Core. First they posed in front of the sculpture near the front entrance. Because she is a member and Oscar is her guest, they were allowed past the signs, and into Camille's favorite area, the family pool. This is a regualr work out area for Camille when she participates in water aerobics. Go, Camille, go Oscar, be fit!! Aren't Camille and Oscar lucky to have such a gorgeous fascility in their area? Aren't I lucky to have an alter-ego like Camille?

P.........art 3:

Between the Barbara Walters Special and the hype over John Ratey's book, "Spark", aging and exercising is becoming fashionable! From this wonderful group of participants in both, whose average age is just under 70, comes more inspiration to get going and keep going. Biking is another popular activity which is followed by stretching. In this post, and the last two, remember that ages here run from 52 to 85. Can you spot the 85-year-olds?

P.........art 2!

Here are additional activities that the exercise group enjoys at 7:00am! (Just don't tell the rest of the world that we're already zoned out by 7:00pm.). One particularly good activity is working with balance cushions. As we age our sense of balance can be compromised, so we work at it on these lovely blue cushions that help us strengthen muscles that can be of great help to us later. Of course, as my friends and family will tell you, I'm a little off balance normally! The final segement of this series premieres tomorrow when you will see more "instruments of torture"!

A.........ging gracefully, graciously, and gratefully!

Part 1:

I'd like you to meet an extraordinary group of people who work out together several times a week. Under the direction of our fearless leader (aka "Eight More Ellen"...of course names have been changed to protect the innocent...and the guilty), we move through our paces for an hour. What's extraordinary, you ask? The average age of these folks is just under 70 and their positive attitude is astounding! The time flies by and often we forget about how much we're really doing.
We begin and end with great stretching and fit in aerobics, strength training, balance, and fun as well. Please join me (and us) tomorrow for Part 2!