Exercise is not my thing. I have to force myself to do it. However, as my age increases and my muscle mass drastically decreases, I’m finding it is a necessity in this stage of my life.
Earlier this week, my sister called to tell me about her latest exercise gadget, the Jawbone UP24. This also happened to be the week we are working on exercise in the Made to Crave Action Plan, so I took it as a sign from God to buy one for myself…
I have been pleasantly surprised at how it entices me to move more. As I try desperately to reach the recommended 10,000 steps per day, I’m forced to get on the treadmill to help make that happen. I quickly learned this week, you cannot get even close to that number by parking farther out or taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
There is nothing like getting to the end of the day and seeing you have reached your goals:
Honestly, I was more excited about the sleep tracking options than the exercise ones. I guess because I like my bed so much more than the treadmill. The picture above shows the only day I hit my 10,000 steps, but I have seen that purple sleep measuring bar reach 100% a few days.
As the week progressed, I found myself checking my steps more throughout the day. My sister and I linked up our accounts as a team. This makes her number of steps pop up on my screen, which keeps us in a healthy competition to move more.
I have been going in circles with exercise for years. I would try it for a while to lose weight, then completely stop when I approached that magical number set as my goal. It is usually all or nothing, as is typical for me.
I’m turning North…
Exercise is not something to be used only as a weight reduction tool. It helps me on so many levels — slower aging, mood issues…
My next focus is to make those 10,000 steps count as much as possible.
Exercising hard induces a stress response. Research shows this is necessary to experience the health benefits of exercise. ~Dr. Ski Chilton
Dr. Chilton recommends keeping your heart rate between 50 and 85 percent of your maximum rate. Your maximal heart rate is found by subtracting your age from 220. It’s time to dust off my heart rate monitor and put it to good use.
I’m thrilled with my new purchase. This is not a sponsored post. I have no affiliation with Jawbone, but I wanted to share my great experience with their product. If you would like to learn more or purchase one, here is a link to the UP24 on Amazon:
I am an Amazon affiliate, which means if you make a purchase through the above link, I will get a small commission, with no additional cost to you.
What helps you to exercise more? I would love to hear your tips!
When my FIL bush-hogged the part of his property that is next to ours, he did us a circle around the outside of our yard for a walking track. I have yet to use it. *sigh*. Sounds like you are on track, though. You GO, girl! :O)
That sounds like a track with a beautiful view, LuAnn! I’m definitely more motivated to exercise than I have been in a long time, which is really nice.
Steps really do make a difference. I used to work in a large store with two levels – 40,000 square feet I think. I was walking around all day long and going up and down stairs so I never had to exercise outside work.
Wow, that is a big store, Laura! That is the best exercise, when it just naturally fits into your day and activities.
I am not a fan of exercise or sweat but I find that walking and Yoga has been the best thing for me and I don’t even consider it exercise or work. I love doing it 🙂 great share
I used to love Yoga. It is next on my list to add to my life! Thanks for the reminder, Mari!
I love walking. I was so happy last week when we finally had some warmer weather and longer days so I could go for a walk outside. Treadmills aren’t an option for me any longer. So it was so nice to get out and walk again. But, it seems this winter will never end. My joints have been awful this week again. I do enjoy the water aerobics class! I just wish they did the class more than 1 night a week. Great job, Candace with this new toy to help you stay focused!! I’m so proud of you!
Thank you, Veronica! I’m so sorry to hear about your joints. I would think water aerobics would be the best exercise for that. It’s a shame they don’t offer more classes. I love walking outside too. It is going to keep getting warmer, my friend! I can feel it :).
i have the jawbone up and i loved the sleep tracking option best! I haven’t worn mine in a while.. the bad habit i had was if i took it off, and unless it was to charge, it stayed off and i would forget to put it back on… 🙁
I am worried about getting to that point too, Roaen. I easily lose interest in things. When the excitement wears off, I hope I keep it on. Right now, I only take it off to shower. I’m so used to it on my arm that it feels weird without it!
I love how you’re using technology to keep you accountable, Candace, and that you have your sister as your accountability partner!! We are not meant to do this journey alone and when we have others join in, they lift us up (and have fun with it, too)!!
Thanks for sharing your wonderful ideas and thoughts with us today!!
In His love,
Pat (OBS Blog Hop Team)
It helps so much to have someone to encourage you! My sister and I have developed a nice bond over it. She has been an exerciser for a while and always tried to get me to start moving more. This has been the perfect way to do this together since we live in different towns.
Sounds like a cool system, Candace. Thanks for sharing!
It is a wonderful system, Miriam! I’m really shocked at the amount of motivation it has stirred in me. Thanks for visiting!
Another great blog! That looks like a neat little gadget. If I ever buy one, I’ll come back here to link to Amazon through you. I really like the sleep tracking part of it…although mine would probably tell me that I’m sleeping way too much. I hate to exercise but I’ve been so excited when we get nice weather here in Indiana that I grab the dogs and go!
Thank you, Kim! I am still loving it and definitely moving more. It is wonderful when the weather warms up and we can get outside. I need to start walking my dogs. I just put them in the backyard to run around, but I think my son and I would have fun walking them. It’s always great to see you, my friend!