I’ll admit it. I’m not in the greatest shape. There are a number of things that contribute to this – some I can’t control, like health issues, and some that I can control, like being a lump parked at a desk in a cube farm for 29ish hours a week. And I know that I need to be in better shape. I want to be in better shape. I want to fit into my steampunk skirt properly, and I want to avoid having to let out all my cosplay outfits. So, I’ve found a few things to motivate myself with. Quite a few, actually, and some of them more effective than others.
The Fitbit
I’ve had a number of these awesome pedometers over the years – and recently, I got a Fitbit Flex. (In obnoxious green, like the one above.) And for some reason, not actually knowing how many steps I’ve taken strangely motivates me to move more. I want to fill up all the little lights on my tracker! I want it to vibrate with glee! AND ALL THE DATA I RECEIVE. Oh, the data. I can see when I was most active, how many steps I took throughout the day, and how well I slept the previous night. I love data. This is one of the many reasons why I’m an Information Science master’s student. Data. 😀
The Aria
The Aria is the smartest scale I’ve ever owned. It connects to the internet and funnels weight info for 8 people into their respective Fitbit accounts. I do like stepping on it and having it recognize me by name. (Most of the time.) I will admit to having a love-hate relationship with my Aria. I love that it gives me all the freaking data I could ever have on my body and weight and such, but I hate how brutally honest the damn thing is. I also hate when it confuses me with Mr. Crafty Nerd. That’s another motivating reason for me to lose some weight. (Curse you, Aria! SAY MY NAME!) But I guess having a scale that lied to you would be counterproductive, wouldn’t it?
(I swear, this article isn’t turning into an advertisement for Fitbit.)
Bribing myself
Yes, I will totally stoop to bribing myself. For every week I hit my step goal (I’m not even aiming to hit the gym at this point, I’m shooting for getting my butt out of my desk chair and walking every day), I will allow myself to buy a pair of socks from Sock Dreams. Because aside from all the other addictions I have (like My Little Ponies, video games, crafts, and Toothless the Dragon), I also am addicted to knee socks. My collection is epic… but it could be more epic. And the self-bribing isn’t limited to just socks. When I hit the “holy crap I’ve lost five pounds” point, I’m going to treat myself to a massage. Lose more weight? Get a more awesome reward. And so on. I am hoping to have all the socks on my Sock Dreams wishlist.
Giving things up if I miss my mark
Yes, this is a little bit more cruel, I guess you could say, but I think this will also keep me on track. For every week I don’t hit my step goal – and I’m gonna be reasonable, if I’m a couple hundred steps off I’ll go easy on myself, or if I’ve been sick that’s completely understandable – I will give up one pony from my My Little Pony collection. And I’ll even let Mr. Crafty Nerd pick which ones go. He’s been saying I have too many ponies anyway.
Yes, I think I just heard that collective gasp. “But Crafty Nerd, you can’t give up your ponies! You love them too much!” And that’s why I’m doing this – because I don’t want to lose any ponies. No sirree. However, if I do mess up, and a pony has to go… I’ll offer it up to you guys on Facebook first, as a sort of contest. But here’s hoping that doesn’t have to happen.
SO DETERMINED.
I’ll try and post regular updates on here or on Twitter about my progress – here’s hoping I end up with more socks, and not less ponies. I’m determined. I can do this. Oh yes.
One comment
Love the socks!