Vision is an important part of your overall health and physical wellbeing. But, of course, it isn’t the only part.
Sitting at a desk all day long peering into your computer screen or, when you’re away from your desk, squinting into your mobile device isn’t the best way to build your overall fitness level.
It ought to be about getting out from behind that desk, setting down that phone (or at least putting it in your pocket), and moving. Outdoors, indoors, wherever.
Walking and running can make a big difference in your health. So anything that helps you get out more should be a benefit. Right?
What’s a Fitbit?
On a basic level a Fitbit is a wrist-based fitness tracker. The underlying premise is that any movement is helpful, and the Fitbit device, since it’s strapped to your wrist, can capture and measure all that activity.
Activities can include getting up from your desk and moving around the office, climbing stairs, or chasing your boss down the hallway for an important conversation. On the sunnier side of things, it can include walking your dog, playing with your kids, or just about anything that causes movement.
The device measures steps taken, miles walked, calories burned and consumed, water consumed, weight lost, and more. Some of these are tracked automatically, others you’ll need to enter yourself.
It can also be a fashion statement. Not only do they come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, colors, materials, and models, but they send a loud and clear statement. You’re a fitness buff!
Fitbit Pros
All that sounds pretty good. But let’s look a bit more closely at the pros:
- Awareness. All this tracking greatly increases your awareness. Are you moving? Or are you sitting most of the time?
- Accountable. That increased awareness also makes you accountable. If you’d don’t really know your activity level, there’s not much you can do about it. The Fitbit changes that big time.
- Motivation. All that adds up to increased motivation. You know what level you’re at and what level you’d like to achieve. Now do it.
- Competition. The device also allows you to compare your levels with friends. That ramps up the competition and serves as yet another motivator.
- Support. Comparing and competing also leads to support from your friends. They can actually cheer on your accomplishments and provide the encouragement needed to meet your next goal.
- Looks Cool. As noted above, it is a fashion statement and a fitness statement. Plus, there are so many different designs to choose from. It does look cool.
- Convenient. Many like to have a watch on their wrist along with all the other information provided.
Fitbit Cons
As with anything, along with pros come at least a few cons:
Obsession. There’s awareness, motivation, competition. The downside is that all that can drive you to paying more attention to your fitness tracker and tracking than you’d really like. - Tracking Errors. As with any device, it isn’t perfect or fool proof. It can miss some tracking information or it can add information that really isn’t accurate. It’s wise to watch closely to make sure you’re getting fitness credit you deserve and nothing you haven’t earned.
- Connection. The device needs to connect with a smartphone and/or computer. That can be both a plus and a minus. If you don’t like making that connection, it can be a hassle.
- Stands Out. While it can be a fashion statement, it can also be a little overwhelming on your wrist, standing out a bit too much for your taste or the particular occasion.
What Else?
There are lots of options for fitness trackers. I like the blog post “Best Fitness Trackers 2017.” They list Garmin’s Vivosmart HR+, Misfit Ray and Shine, Jawbone UP3, Moov Now, Xiaomi Mi Band Pulse, TomTom Touch, Samsung Gear Fit2, Skagen Hagen, Modaine Helvetica Smart, and Withings Steel HR, in addition to a couple of Fitbit models.
Sounds Like Fun
I hope that gave you a good overview of Fitbit and what they can do for your health. Once you have it on your wrist, if you’re having trouble seeing the screen, give us a call.
Use our contact form or call us at 972-612-2099. We can evaluate your vision and provide just the right solution based on our expertise and years of experience.
Disclaimer: The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
