This is my ActiveLink monitor along with it’s original box. It also lights up to tell you how much activity you have already completed for the day.
I have been focusing so much on my food intake that this week I thought it would be a good idea to concentrate on something different. In the past, through Weight Watchers, I tracked my activity points on my tracker. The points I earned were figured out by looking at my current weight, how long I worked out and the intensity of my workout. Since I weigh so much, working out even a little can get me points rather quickly. These earned points can be exchanged for food, but I very rarely do this because I feel that I lose more weight if I don’t eat my points.
Now, I track my points differently. I recently bought an ActiveLink through Weight Watchers. The ActiveLink is a device that can be worn in a variety of places on the body and kind of acts like a pedometer. Although it doesn’t track your specific steps, it tracks your total body movement. The first week that it is worn acts like the assessment period and once that time period is over it gives you a challenge based on what your current average is and raising your current average over the next twelve weeks.
When I started out I thought that I was more active than I really was. I only averaged about two points a day, where as I thought I was really moving enough for four points a day. After wearing the ActiveLink for that first week, I decided that I needed move more. It gave me a drive and it was hard to stop me. The device has a USB connector that allows you to connect it to your computer and get instant feedback on your status for the day, week, and month. It can even break it down by the hour. I would plug in the device several times a day to see where I was and it would motivate me to move more. There was even a day where I was at 96% of my daily goal and I put it back on and went outside to walk around the block a couple of times. I ended up with 111% that day.
With the second, third week saw my daily average significantly climb to the point where I average about 140% of my daily goal. This prompted me to increase my challenge numbers so that I was still forced to move even more. I want it to be an actual challenge and not something that is just easy for me to achieve or I will get bored with it. Now that I’m in my fourth week I appear to be averaging about 110% instead.
When I originally went to see my doctor two months ago he saw that I was wearing flip flops and he told me that I needed to trade them in for a pair of tennis shoes. I have effectively done so. I now rarely wear my flip flops and wearing tennis shoes encourages me to walk more. Now that the summer is over and I’m back at work teaching, I climb four flights of stairs several times a day because my classroom is on the fourth floor. I go for a walk with a walking partner twice a week and we walk for about two miles in an indoor air conditioned mall. I also go to the gym and do interval training on the treadmill several days a week. All of this movement has definitely led to my continued weight loss.
Next, I want to include more strength training. When I tried to unsuccessfully lose weight several years ago, I hired a personal trainer to help with some circuit training and weight lifting. Even two years later, I crave and miss the weight lifting. I wanted to lift heavier weights, swing kettle bells, and throw medicine balls. I am feeling this same way again and am looking forward to adding them to my time at the gym. Now I just need to find more time.
Cher once said “Fitness — If it came in a bottle, everybody would have a great body.” I believe that this is true because our society thrives on quick fixes, easy ways out, and the next fad diet. Personally, I’m done with all of those and I’m finally doing this the right way: slow and steady.
If I can inspire you to do anything this week, I hope it is just to take a few minutes to move a little bit more. Remember that I will be moving right along with you.
