Tine’s Guide To Getting Off Your Bum: Get Thyself A Pedometer

Tine's Guide To Getting Off Your Bum

ยฉ AlexMaster

I never thought I’d be one to actually write any sort of “guide” when it comes to health and fitness. Heck, this time last year, I was still either sitting at the desk all day in front of the computer and not exercising or sitting on the couch all weekend watching TV and not exercising. I was one heck of a sloth. It doesn’t mean I’m still not a lazy bugger now. I can be, when it comes to certain things. But things have slowly but surely improved in the health and fitness department, so I thought I’d start a category of blog posts called “Tine’s Guide to Getting Off Your Bum“. Initially, I wanted to call it somewhere along the lines of “a lazy girl’s guide” but hey, I’m a firm believer in time you enjoyed wasting is not wasted time. ๐Ÿ˜›

By no means am I a health expert, nor am I judging anyone who dislikes exercising. Believe you me, I understand the feeling. I know the feeling. I revelled in the feeling. Heck, I’ve had it for the past 20 years! I’m still not a fan of most exercises; heck, if you asked me to do a few particular exercises, I’d rather go to the dentist. If you went out for a 5 to 10-minute walk, then yay, you’ve gotten off your bum! The key is getting off that bum and that’s what this series is about. It’s not going to be a weekly feature; I don’t know all that much yet and I’m still learning. But here’s what I’ll say: if this person here (I’m pointing to myself) can get off her bum after leading a very sedentary lifestyle for so long, you can do it too.

Okay I’m starting to sound like a cliche or one of those weight-losing shows on TV now. You know what I mean, so I’ll get on with it. ๐Ÿ˜›

I thought I’d kick off the series with a suggestion for those who are finding it hard to get off their bums: get a pedometer.

My dad has worn a pedometer ever since I can remember. He clips it in his belt and checks his score daily. Me, I couldn’t be arsed. Where the heck was I going to clip it to anyway?

A couple of years ago, I stumbled upon a brand of pedometers called Fitbit. I thought it was rather fancy, oooh not just a pedometer but a sleep tracker too! But what the heck, over AU$100 for a freaking pedometer? Dad just got his for less than a tenner! But the gadget fan in me was highly intrigued and after reading lots of reviews, I decided to bite the bullet and get the Fitbit One. I could definitely use one to track my steps. Perhaps it would encourage me to walk at least 10,000 steps a day!

I clipped it to my bra and wore it daily. At first, oh yeah, I was really gung-ho about it, making sure I make that 10,000 steps. A month or two later, my interest waned. Sure I was still wearing it, but I was only wracking up at the most 3000 steps a day. It was pathetic. And what was even more pathetic was that I didn’t even care. I didn’t want to add any friends to my Fitbit account because I was worried they’d find out how lazy I was.

Fitbit One and Lorna Jane Crop Top

Fast forward 2 years. I slowly started to add a few friends to my Fitbit account. I seldom open the Fitbit app and I didn’t realise that there was a feature where you and your friends can challenge each other. The person with the highest number of steps per day/work week/weekend would be the winner. Ling issued the very first challenge I saw on the Fitbit app. I hesitated joining the challenge, but my dormant competitive nature was sparked. I actually got off my bum and started to move more. I didn’t win the challenge, of course, but I continued to walk more regardless of those challenges. I would actually walk in circles in my house to make sure I go over the 10,000 steps mark!

Now that I’m running quite regularly, it’s no longer that difficult to hit the 10,000 steps mark. On days that I wasn’t running, I’d take Janey for a longer walk to make sure sure I walk at least 5000 steps. I’d do a 30-minute workout at home. When I’m working, I use the Pomodoro timer method where I work for 25 minutes and rest for 5 minutes. During those 5 minutes, I’d stand up and walk about.

Having a pedometer helps a great deal in motivating you to get off your bum. You don’t even need those fancy Fitbits, Garmins or Jawbones if you don’t want to. There are more affordable pedometers out there that you can give a go. Having said that, I do recommend getting one of the fancier pedometers as I find the results more accurate. These pedometers also come with apps that gamify the activity process. Most of my close friends have a Fitbit tracker, which works out very well for me to “play” along with them.

Most modern activity trackers come in the form of a wristband these days. Personally, I’m not a fan of wristband trackers. For starters, I can’t wear one all the time (I hate typing on the computer wearing a watch, let alone any other bracelets or bangles). If I’m wearing a fancier outfit, a wristband tracker would look entirely out of place with the outfit. Even though the Fitbit One is old compared to their newer and fancier wristband counterparts, I’m very happy sticking to something I can easily clip onto a bra or T-shirt and have it on all day.

After so many years of using a plastic pedometer, I upgraded my dad to a Fitbit One and he wears one on his belt daily. He even challenges me to move more. When I tell him I’ve done 12,000 steps today, he’d tell me pfft no big deal, he’s done 17,000. Tsk tsk. Who’s the competitive one now, eh? ๐Ÿ˜›

Do give a pedometer a go. I highly recommend it. It doesn’t even have to be an expensive one. You can get one from Daiso too! (although I’d question the reliability and accuracy) If you have one that tells you to get off your bum every now and then, hey that’s even better! It’s a good motivation tool so get you moving. You’ll be surprised at how little most of us move during the day, especially if our work is mainly on a computer. Try busting that goal of 10,000 steps a day. Your health will thank you for it. ๐Ÿ™‚

Do you use a pedometer or any of those fancy activity trackers? If you do, which one are you using?

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9 comments… add one
  1. Allison

    No pedometer. I jog either for time or for distance, and I have regular running routes so I know about the distance I’ve gone. What I need is a FitBit or one of those watches that tells me to get up and move. Although I still jog just about every day, I sit at my desk for too long without a break. Glad you’re really getting into running! Go Girl!
    Allison recently posted..Disney Villains Halloween 2015 Soho Beauty Limited Edition Makeup BagsMy Profile

    1. Tine

      That’s brilliant! I need motivators and the Fitbit is a great one for me. ๐Ÿ˜›
      I heard that the Apple watch can prompt you to get up and walk if you’ve been stationary for too long. Can’t get that one, no iPhone. ๐Ÿ˜›

  2. Norlin

    I have stopped wearing my FitBit so please do not think that I’m not moving from that Fitbit friend list ok. :p I guess now that I know I don’t sit on my arse too much, it doesn’t phase me as much that I’m not counting my steps. My flex keeps on falling off my wrist – the thing doesn’t clip on properly and I’ve nearly lost it a few times, so I gave up wearing it entirely. But you’re right, getting a pedometer is an excellent way of getting one off their arse.
    Norlin recently posted..Love, Like & Loathe: Basic Pieces, The Originals & Being SickMy Profile

    1. Tine

      Ahhhh that’s the reason I never thought of upgrading to one of those wristband trackers! They annoy the crap out of me and I won’t be able to wear them when I’m doing the dishes, on the computer, or even wearing anything fancy. But with the Fitbit One, it’s clipped to my bra so no problems there at all. ๐Ÿ˜€

  3. MonicaP

    I have an early jawbone fitness tracker and I purchased it for the idle alert reminder as I seem to sit way too much. I have the buzz reminder set for every 30 min .. works great.

    As for steps ~ well .. I can never seem to get 10K .. I sit too much .. lol.

    Monica.
    MonicaP recently posted..Blue top and tan skirtMy Profile

    1. Tine

      Oooh that sounds like a good one! Mine doesn’t buzz me, it doesn’t have that feature. Bummer. ๐Ÿ˜›

      I realised that I can’t sit too long anymore. Back hurts. ๐Ÿ˜›

  4. Kerri @ Beauty and Things

    I haven’t worn my fitbit since the last challenge we did like 3mths ago haha. I was just going to charge it a few days ago and realised it died!! So devo..
    Kerri @ Beauty and Things recently posted..Natura Siberica ReviewMy Profile

    1. Tine

      Hahaha I was wondering where you went! I’ve seen people having more trouble with the wristband trackers than the ones you clip on your bra/pants/wherever. If you’re not bothered about tracking your heart rate or whatever it is these fancy trackers also track, I highly recommend the older Fitbit One instead. It wouldn’t bother you in any way, but you do have to remember to take it off before chucking your clothes in the wash. One time, I thought i lost my Fitbit and had to get a Fitbit tracker app to find the damn thing. I found it in the washing machine! Thank goodness I haven’t done that load of laundry yet!

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