I remember circling a parking lot with my husband at a health club. We were searching for a close parking spot. We wanted to go in and walk the track. We were trying to save a few steps on our way to walk! Definitely schizophrenic. Definitely American. And CRAZY!
So fast forward a few years and I bought a Fitbit. I LOVE my fitbit. It goes with me everywhere and it counts every step I take. The first thing it taught me is that I really did not take that many steps. But now I do more. When others are parking close to buildings, I purposefully park further away and enjoy the walk. I take the stairs. I make more trips to carry in the groceries (and don’t drop as much). Getting to 10,000 steps every day is not easy. It means avoiding escalators and elevators and moving sidewalks. It means taking a walk with a friend. Staying off the couch and enjoying outdoors.
Instead of taking shortcuts all day so I can get home in time to exercise, I incorporate it into my day. I encourage my patients to do the same. Why have we bought into the lie that the most efficient route is always best? It’s just not true! So why do I love my Fitbit? It has taught me that sometimes the best way is the long way around!
I have to admit I think a Fitbit is a dumb fad. Are Americans really so dumb that they need to wear a device that counts their steps!! The FITBIT is just another expensive American gadget that will end up in closets. At the same time I will say that my patients UNDER COUNT what they eat each day (I would be rich if I collected a dollar from every patient who claims to eat just 1 meal a day of healthy foods) and they OVER ESTIMATE their activity level (I too walk all day in my office which gives me ONLY 2000 steps according to my Fitbit). I am so tired of saying no to diet pill requests that I told a patient today that I would rather they go to see my competitor if they want to get a diet pill. Americans…get off the couch but stay away from the refrigerator.