Anyone else interested in figuring out a workable loose tracking system for daily activity? After several years of pedometers and a stint with Fitbit (Fb died after 3 months, a known bug) I'm feeling ready to move tracking to a looser more "organic" approach.
There's no doubt that closely tracking (calories, money,steps) and gamefying the process can be incredibly illuminating and motivating but after a while, I'd like to think it could all become just the natural way we live our lives. Ha ha - right? That's why this is a challenge.
But just like the MM's don't track their budget really closely but rather have (mostly) integrated the choices that keep them on track, I'd like to see if I can do the same thing with staying reasonably active.
So here's my commitment for September, measured by time and activities. I'm taking an incremental approach as I'm a big believer in Caroline Arnolds' Small Move , Big Change approach (book recommendation!). In other words - not looking for comments or judgements on what I'm doing or whether I'm "doing enough". :)
M-F I'm going to walk 60 minutes/day and take the stairs twice each day.
S-S I'm going to walk 30 minutes/day and do a 10 min fitness video each day.
Notes: I have a 20 minute x 2 walk as part of my commute so finding another 20 minute opportunity at lunch or right after work should be possible. I work on the 7th floor so the stairs add up (could be part of the extra 20 minutes!). Weekends are weirdly sedentary for me so these will be a challenge as not part of my natural routine. Also - per Arnold's book, I'm free to do more of any of this, I just don't have to. :)
I'll update my success next week and I'd love to hear from others trying the same thing.
Addendum - my husband and I don't track money regularly anymore because we're on track and have modified most of the things we want to at this point. We do track from time to time to make sure we're not drifting and sliding in bad habits. There's nothing like writing "candy - $2" on the daily sheet more than once to see that a bad 4pm habit has crept in!