As it turns out, buying a pedometer, no matter how cool, does not motivate one to walk more. I've been hovering around the 3100 steps level for a few days. I'm shooting for 4000 consistently, but it feels like I'll have to add something to my day in order to get that. Perhaps an evening walk. Not terribly exciting to me. You'd think I'd like aimlessly walking. Tried it the other day. Not so much. A guy questioned my choice of hat since I live in the land of the Cubs, and I was wearing my favorite Cardinals hat. It was the evening of the first game of the first series of the season between the two clubs. But, I politely said hello to him, his family, and dogs. He said, "Is that a Cardinals hat? Yeah, that's a Cardinals hat." Then he, family, and dogs walked on.
I need a point for walking, I think. General health isn't a good enough goal for me. I need an incentive. Now, I have a friend who has one of those pedometers that has a USB connection so she can download the pedometer's info into a tabulation program. I wonder if the anticipation of downloading activity units--steps walked, calories burned, miles covered--motivates her to walk. I bet it does a little. Wouldn't make me walk in a cold rain, but it might make me walk around the block. Then, go in and download stuff and then go back out. Could be fun.
Maybe I'm wrong about the motivational power of a cool pedometer. I walked over 7000 steps yesterday. Motivation for one day at least, but tomorrow is Wednesday, my regular weigh in day.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying not to worry, but I just ate a big ol' slice of a giant cookie after my 1:00 snack. Trying to cut down on sugar is difficult. There's so much of it out there, and it's so good!
If Wednesday's numbers don't come in strong for my scale, then there's always Thursday, the unofficial weekly weigh in day. Should've used today as my weigh in day. The second set of numbers was better than the first this morning by a measurable difference. Spontaneous weightloss is effective.
Good job Alan! I have to confess I have another motivational factor in my walking. Through this program at work, we can earn cash incentives. I've probably earned somewhere around $400 so far (over a two year period). So, not a huge amount of money, but it helps! The program's goal is to get you moving and more aware of healthier habits overall. I think it's definitely working for many people. Keep at it! :)-Karen
ReplyDelete