Earlier this month, it was my dear husband’s birthday. Since he has recently been on a walking kick (what better way to work off all those donuts!), I thought I would encourage this healthy new habit by getting him a fitbit as a present. Here’s the story of Mr. Ken and his latest toy.
1. Happy Birthday Mr. Ken!
Mr. Ken is very excited when he opens the box with the fitbit. I’m just about to offer to help him set it up, when he quickly disappears upstairs, fitbit in hand. About five minutes later, he comes downstairs with the fitbit proudly displayed on his pants pocket and says, “All set to go.” Mmm, it took me a week to figure out how to set up the fitbit and sync it to my computer and phone. Obviously, I am not a geek.
2. Time to walk.
Mr. Ken is a creature of habit. He likes to take his walks at precisely 11:05 am. It has warmed up a bit, but it isn’t too warm. Yet today, on his birthday, Mr. Ken disappears out the door at 10:00 am, mumbling something about testing out the fitbit. What? Mr. Ken is doing something off schedule???? This has never happened before.
3. The first report.
Mr. Ken comes home exactly one hour later and proudly reports that he has walked 7700 steps. I am happy that he is so excited about his new toy.
4. The second report.
At lunchtime, Mr. Ken reports that he is now up to 8500 steps. I’m thinking, “Isn’t that cute, Mr. Ken really wants to keep active.”
5. The third report.
At 2:00 pm, Mr. Ken reports that he has only gone another 100 steps and that he needs to step things up a bit. I’m thinking, “This isn’t quite so cute anymore, but this is the first day of having this toy, so it is to be expected.”
6. The continuing reports.
Okay, so now every hour on the hour, I’m getting an exact step count. I am beginning to question my sanity in buying this item for Mr. Ken.
7. Day 2 with the fitbit.
Mr. Ken wakes up and immediately puts on his fitbit. He is very serious about making every step count. He runs over to his computer so that he can sync the fitbit. This is all before he even says “good morning.” I’m thinking, “Oh no, I have created a monster.”
8. The donut dilemma.
Mr. Ken pulls out the calculator and starts to figure out how many steps he has to take to work off the donut he is planning on getting during his walk. He quickly puts the calculator away when he realizes that it will take a LOT of steps to work off one donut.
9. A little competition never hurt anyone.
Mr. Ken says to me, “Now I know why you are always walking back and forth, without seeming to do anything. You are trying to get in more steps. I am going to start doing that too.”
I can just see it coming, “No, you can’t take that empty bottle down to the basement recycling bin because you took the LAST one down! Oh, okay. You take the cap down and I’ll take the bottle”.
Have you entered the fitbit revolution yet? If you have not, once you do, you will be hooked! š
mikemjensen
April 20, 2016
I’m afraid I would be uncontrollably obsessed. This is one of those times it’s a good thing to be self aware and I’ll do me and all around me a favor and pass.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nancy Loderick
April 20, 2016
Hi Mike,
Yes, that is a very wise decision. š
Nancy
LikeLike
Bea dM
April 20, 2016
I haven’t and I have no intention of doing so, I rather agree with you when you’re wondering if you’ve let a monster loose in you life haha š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nancy Loderick
April 20, 2016
Hi Bea,
Yes, I do think that I have unleashed a monster! I may just have to “hide” his fitbit one of these days. But then again, Mr. Ken would probably take mine then!
Nancy
LikeLiked by 1 person
Professor VJ Duke
April 20, 2016
Haha. Hilarious. Goodness. Makes me want to get one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nancy Loderick
April 20, 2016
Hey Professor,
Yes, I think you should get one. It is the professorish thing to do. I bet if you swing your katana around while wearing a fitbit, you would get even more steps. That is, if you don’t accidentally slice the fitbit with the katana. š
Nancy
LikeLike
Ken Loderick
April 20, 2016
As I read this at 8:30 AM I have only walked 450 steps so I guess I better stop reading and get walking! š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nancy Loderick
April 20, 2016
Mr. Ken,
And walking should NOT include a trip to the pizza parlor. š
Nancy
LikeLike
Mind Margins
April 20, 2016
Love this post! Ken sounds like most of my competitive Type A running friends who obsess over their weekly mileage. Of course, I could be describing myself as well …
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nancy Loderick
April 20, 2016
Hi,
Yes, once you’ve seen your numbers, it seems you always want to make them higher….I find myself marching around the bedroom before I go to bed just to get in a few more steps. š
Nancy
LikeLiked by 1 person
melodysgt
April 20, 2016
I have one of these monsters! It is a learning curve to not look at your steps every five minutes. Mine is also a watch and I have trained (heaven help me) myself to leave it on the time and not check the steps or miles until it is synch time. Oh, please tell Mr. (cute) Ken never figure out how many steps (or miles) it will take to burn off any yummy items. We only regret the things we didn’t do or in my case eat.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nancy Loderick
April 20, 2016
Hi Melody,
Thanks for your comment. As for enjoying sweets and other ‘forbidden’ foods, I’m all for just enjoying every bite and not feeling guilty.
Nancy
LikeLiked by 1 person
Steve Rebus
April 20, 2016
Hi Nancy! I love this post! Happy Birthday to Mr Ken, and congratulations on taking so many steps! š
I think i need to get one of these, sounds like fun…and hard work! š
God bless you Nancy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nancy Loderick
April 21, 2016
Hi Steve,
It is so nice to hear from you my friend. I think you would really enjoy having a fitbit. It certainly encourages you to be more active (and to drive your wife crazy in the process!).
May you have a blessed week my brother.
Nancy
LikeLiked by 1 person
Steve Rebus
April 29, 2016
Hey Nancy! Thought i’d let you know…you’ve encouraged Sarah & i to get Fitbits! š
Sarah’s came 2 days before mine so i have some catching up to do. Today is my first day and i have to wait in for a delivery. š¦ i hope it comes soon so i can get outside and start my walks! š
The competition is starting to heat up, lol. I’m already walking more around the house and walking up the stairs far more than i need to! But this will be great…and we have you and Mr Ken to thank! š
I will keep you updated! š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nancy Loderick
April 29, 2016
Dear brother Steve,
That is exciting news! You will be hooked. Just wait and see, you and Sarah will be vying for who gets to take out the trash to get those extra steps in.
Keep me posted my friend.
Nancy š
LikeLike
Ralph
April 21, 2016
Heehee. So funny dear Nancy. I would class lifting donuts to the mouth as weightlifting š ā¤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nancy Loderick
April 21, 2016
Dear friend Ralph,
You and Mr. Ken would get along famously! That is EXACTLY how he would think. š
Nancy
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bette A. Stevens
April 25, 2016
š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Charlotte Hoather
May 10, 2016
I want one š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nancy Loderick
May 11, 2016
Hi Charlotte,
They are fun to have, but beware, once you have one, you’ll be addicted. š
Nancy
LikeLiked by 1 person