On Tuesday, our new trackers arrived. I’ve used a Fitbit since late 2013 and still had the Fitbit One device. It served its purpose as a very basic step tracker. When it started getting less reliable during our
January vacation, I decided it was time to up my game with newer tracking technology. Plus, I realized my device was discontinued a few years ago so forget about just replacing it. My husband, Tom, was ready to start more serious tracking as we focused on new health goals in 2022. He had recently downloaded a free step tracker app to his iPhone, but it was only useful if he always had his phone with him.
We carefully compared the different Fitbit devices reading specs and watching the videos. Doing the comparison shopping together on my laptop had me in tears laughing with him. Tom has never been athletic and hated gym class as a kid. We were doing the main feature compare between the Luxe and the Inspire 2. But we thought we should check out the Charge 5 before we called the question. Part way through the short video for the Charge 5, Tom said, “It’s scaring me, it’s like gym class on your wrist”. I told you, I had tears I laughed so hard at that. We each placed an order for a Luxe and the Premium Membership.
Once we had the devices charged and he downloaded the software for the first time, we quickly figured out the main features and how to navigate. We are constantly comparing our stats. I know that will wear off. But there is a new motivation in our house to get in better shape and get out walking longer distances each day. I have exceeded 10,000 steps every day since I got the new tracker – something I haven’t been doing for a while. That includes a 30-minute brisk walk by myself with wrist weights – a recommendation to increase weight bearing exercise from my bone health visit following my pelvic bone fracture last August.
I have started tracking my sleep which is not as good and restful as I thought it was. I’ve connected my Fitbit to Weight Watchers online to integrate my exercise data and get points credit for my activity. On the user-friendly front, this has all been very easy and intuitive. As it should be. After all, it’s a consumer device with an app.
I recently started getting push emails for webinars from Executives for Health Innovation. Ironic timing to get one this week for a free webinar on February 16th titled “From Step Tracker to Health & Well-Being Companion: Google Doctors Discuss the Evolution of Fitbit”. The promo said, “Hear how Fitbit helps users connect the dots between their everyday behaviors and overall health and well-being”. Sounds like us. With all the data tracking, dashboards, notifications to get moving each hour, sleep tracking, and more, as a consumer I can see the value well beyond my previous basic tracker. As someone interested in how the health industry continues to evolve with health apps, consumer devices, and increased patient engagement, it will be interesting to hear about the broader trends.
We are already six weeks into the new year. If you had lofty health and fitness goals at the start of the year and have lost some momentum, it’s never too late to renew your efforts. Ask me in six weeks if we are still as motivated and comparing our data each day – hope so!
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