It's been a few weeks since January 1, the day that Americans decide they need to lose a few pounds after the holiday season. I was ahead of the game and had decided I'd gotten fat by the first of December. So I've had a few more weeks than the rest of America to think about fitness.
During that time, I've been gathering data using the new fitness-tracking gadgets, the Fitbit One and the new Jawbone Up. I liked both products very much, but since I put the One through the washing machine and killed it, I've mostly been using the Up. If you're a data nerd, the Up also gives you a lot more to play with than the Fitbit.
My quick profile: I'm a big runner (probably 25-35 miles a week). I like hiking (1-2 good ones a week). We eat pretty healthily at home, but I also like ice cream and tortilla chips and beer. I telecommute.
The initial goal set on the Up device is 10,000 steps, which is about how much people walk in Australia and Switzerland but nearly double the American number (5,117). Because I run so much, I expected the Up to basically pat me on the back and tell me that I'd done a good job.
But here's the thing, if you sit all day (in a car, at work, on the couch), but head out for a quick 3.5-mile run, you're not actually getting much activity in.
Read More: http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/01/the-secret-to-losing-weight-according-to-my-new-high-tech-fitness-monitor-is-wait-for-it-walking/267395/
During that time, I've been gathering data using the new fitness-tracking gadgets, the Fitbit One and the new Jawbone Up. I liked both products very much, but since I put the One through the washing machine and killed it, I've mostly been using the Up. If you're a data nerd, the Up also gives you a lot more to play with than the Fitbit.
My quick profile: I'm a big runner (probably 25-35 miles a week). I like hiking (1-2 good ones a week). We eat pretty healthily at home, but I also like ice cream and tortilla chips and beer. I telecommute.
The initial goal set on the Up device is 10,000 steps, which is about how much people walk in Australia and Switzerland but nearly double the American number (5,117). Because I run so much, I expected the Up to basically pat me on the back and tell me that I'd done a good job.
But here's the thing, if you sit all day (in a car, at work, on the couch), but head out for a quick 3.5-mile run, you're not actually getting much activity in.
Read More: http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/01/the-secret-to-losing-weight-according-to-my-new-high-tech-fitness-monitor-is-wait-for-it-walking/267395/