Tracking activities

[ctg492]

I am active, I know this, the neighbors know this and tell me take a break for goodness sakes. I track everything, always have way before pedometers, Fit Bit, Fuel Band, Map My Run,walk or bike. I can tell you how many steps to the bottom of the stairs to let the dogs out, 15, my bike computer the god of tracking to me. Running, I can't even head out without out starting the app. I go through phases on food tracking, though that is not my favorite. WHY? I think is just built in me.

I just read an article on why the person felt relieved and freedom taking off her FitBit. Yet still doing her regular every day workouts and activities. I know the feeling, but am struggling with the bike computer. I track my miles yearly, marking them on the garage wall December 31st, proudly rewarding myself or saying NEXT YEAR! This year I told myself it does not matter don't do this, be free. But what about the 12-31 reward?

I have found the tracking makes me do more, one more mile, one more walk. I had a conversation with the thin neighbor last week when she got her FitBit. We talked while jogging if this mindset holds true for people in need of monitoring for health and weight? Or is it just us obsessive types? Does all this tracking really help people?

[Gardenarian]

The way you describe it, the tracking doesn't sound all that fun. Is it something you really want to do and also get satisfaction from, or is something you feel you have to do?

I don't know if it helps people; I'm not motivated by numbers myself - in fact, quite the opposite! I think I would find myself inwardly rebelling against any kind of tracking system, and if the point is my to increase well-being, well, it just wouldn't work.

I find the FitBit a little creepy. They know when you are sleeping, they know when you're awake....

[ApatheticNoMore]

Well supposedly tracking does help, according to studies or so I've heard.


I think I would find myself inwardly rebelling against any kind of tracking system, and if the point is my to increase well-being, well, it just wouldn't work.

but sometimes only oneself really knows one's psyche (and then hardly). I mean if for some reason you can't get yourself to do something no matter what, or sabotage, or rebel, or just rebel against tracking, it might be worth trying tracking. It might work. But I don't doubt those sabotaging and rebelling demons are sometimes much more powerful. Even if the studies say it helps many.


I find the FitBit a little creepy. They know when you are sleeping, they know when you're awake....

yea I know it's one thing to track in a paper journal at home, a food journal, a journal for exercise etc. and another thing entirely when THEY ARE TRACKING YOU :0! :0! :0! Tracking for yourself or tracking for those agencies ....