One of these days, I will get back on the Crockpot Monday bandwagon – recently, everything I have made in the crockpot has been beans beans beans!
Today, I am going to talk about my pedometer! (Yes, my pedometer has paint on it, so what?)
For the last couple of years, my work has been involved with a program called Virgin Health Miles. As one of our benefits, we could join this program – you pay a couple bucks a pay period, and my employer paid the rest. You got a pedometer through Virgin Health Miles, and a USB cable to connect it to your computer. Every so often, I would log onto their website, and upload my steps. You would get “points” for how many steps you took. There was one level for reaching 7000 steps per day, the next level was 12,000 steps per day, and the highest level was 20,000 steps per day. You would earn money based on how many points you got. The first level was $25, then $100, up to $300 for the very top level!
Every year, you would have an “anniversary”, where you would cycle back to the first level. The first year I was in this program, I made over $300! I LOVED it! I love walking, and on my breaks/lunches, I go out and walk in the area around my work building. It is my thinking time. Or listening to music or This American Life! Plus, it gave me a break from the stressors at work. At first, people would make fun of me for always walking on my breaks (instead of smoking like the cool people do). Then people started to join me!
However, my work decided to stop its partnership with Virgin Health Miles. I was so bummed!! They said it wasn’t worth it, and the people joining this program were ones who worked out normally anyways. The fun part was that you could create challenges with other people in the program. You could challenge a group of people to see who would walk the most steps in a month, or who got the most points in a set period of time. I am very competitive, so it was a lot of fun! Plus, it was a bonding thing with people at work revolving around fitness. I mean, I sit at a desk for 12 hours a day, so I take any opportunity I can to get up and walk around!
I wore my pedometer ALL.THE.TIME. I mean, I wore it when I was painting! I wore it to bed, to work, around the house, 24/7! I think I have a bruise on my hip bone where I would roll over on it at night
In fact, when we got married in Alaska, I had it with me. I didn’t wear it with my wedding dress lol! But, on our honeymoon, somewhere in the vastness of Alaska, I lost it! I can only imagine it fell off at some point and I didn’t realize it. (The clip wasn’t the greatest..) So in about 5,000 years, someone is going find it and wonder what the heck these people were thinking!
So, now I’m wondering, do I get another pedometer? I really did like seeing how many steps I was taking, and what kind of activity I was getting just from my normal walking around. But, at the same time, it is kind of nice not to be constantly checking it.
Question: Do you have a pedometer? If I was to get another one, is there one you would recommend?
What a neat program! I’m sorry to hear that your employer dropped it.
I don’t wear a pedometer, but I’ve been interested in buying one for my husband, who walks a LOT. He tries to measure his milage each week, but it’s kinda tough without a pedometer or GPS.
Maybe get another one? If there are no incentives, you might feel less inclined to check it often.
Have a great week!
Alex @ Brain, Body, Because recently posted..Week 6
On the GPS note, I just downloaded this app on my phone – Endomondo – for GPS tracking when I do my walks. I’m loving it so far – its kinda fun to see how far I actually am walking!
Oh, how neat! Thanks for the idea!
Alex @ Brain, Body, Because recently posted..Week 6
Actually, I have never used one, but I know they work. It keeps you focused!
m.
Hmm, I’ve wanted to get a pedometer for a while, just out of curiosity. Too cool how your office used to promote it–but grr, of course, there’s always an excuse to cut things like that.
Allie recently posted..True Story, Bro
I know, right?? They didn’t cut the money they had to put out to get the “no smoking in this area” signs that are all over the place!
I know I got one in a starter kit a long time ago when I joined weight watchers. I was never sure I was callobrating correctly so I never knew if it was giving me actuate information. Bummer you lost yours though!
Biz recently posted..It Smelled Good.
I know! And of course I had lots of steps on it that I hadn’t uploaded to the website either
Then I had to pay to get a different one! But, the money I made from it totally made it worth it!
About 5 years ago I wore a pedometer. I have to credit it with keeping me motivated. I was exercising every day, plus counting steps and eating differently. It was fun at first…but at some point I was “done”.
kimberly montgomery recently posted..Lake Visit (s)
haha I totally know what you mean! I think that is why I’m really not motivated to get another one
That sounds like a great program. I had a pedometer one time but it soon fell off when I was walking and broke and I never replaced it. It was a cool thing to see how many steps you walk in a day.
Tami @Nutmeg Notebook recently posted..Spicy Coconut Shrimp Stew
My husband recently ordered me a pedometer from Amazon, so I can track how many miles I am actually power walking. I don’t know what kind he decided to buy, so I couldn’t tell you. However, I am looking forward to using it to check my walking mileage.
I’m also shocked that you wore your pedometer with you ALL the time at one point in your life, ha, ha! I think I would get tired of at some point. At least now we know how you got paint on it.
Mara recently posted..Sunday Reflections: Sometimes Seasonal Changes are Bittersweet
haha I know! I wanted to make every step count (even getting up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night), because it potentially meant I would get a bigger paycheck or not! I’ll have to look at pedometers on Amazon, thanks for the tip!
I just remembered that I have a pedometer and that I should use it more often. I really like it, it is made by Omron and is over a year old and still works great.
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I love that program and am bummed for you that they cut it. Getting paid can be a big motivator! I have used a couple cheap-o pedometers that didn’t work well at all, but I’ve heard goods things about Garmin. I did like seeing my steps and seeing them made me want to walk more–I think it does help!
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I am soooo bummed they stopped sponsoring the program! It was usually Christmas money for me! (Technically my husband since he is the only one I buy Christmas presents for)
I think seeing the number of steps is a big motivator!
The only thing I can say is don’t get a cheap pedometer. I’ve used several cheap ones and they over-estimate your steps. It was easier for me to just use my GPS on the phone (when I did actual walks versus just daily activities that happened to include walking from one place to another. However, Apple has now screwed up the GPS so none of my programs work.
ahhh boo. I actually did start using a GPS on my phone .. Endomondo .. which is working pretty good on my phone. It is fun for me to see my actual mileage, instead of just the number of steps!
Jane, I’ve never tried a pedometer and these days I think I’d be a bit scared of the lame number of steps I’m walking. I think that is so cool that your business participated in such a program. Our entire country could benefit from such a thing. Imagine tax breaks for steps taken!
xo
E
erin @ yummy supper recently posted..AUTUMN BREAKFAST PORRIDGE
I know, seriously!! Tax breaks for steps would be awesome!
I love that program!!! I have a pedometer, but I never wear it!
Brittany (Delights and Delectables) recently posted..Fall Fun Survey
That is a cool program! No, I’ve never used a pedometer. I always went by mileage. When I was teaching I was lucky enough to live within 2 miles from the campus for I either walked to work or road my bike to work almost everyday for 25 years! I considered that was payment in itself. And like you said, it was a great stress reliever. By the time I got home, I was relaxed and unwound from the day. Keep walking my friend!
mjskit recently posted..Kitchen Remodel – Before & After
Thanks MJ! That is awesome you were able to walk to work! Huge gas savings as well, I would imagine!
Now that’s a program I wish they had here at my job! I’m not sure what’s more valuable – the $$ you made or the steps towards getting healthy!
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So true! I think that is why I liked it so much — because I would walk even if I wasn’t making money … it was just a nice benefit! I’m still going for my walks now .. it is so nice now that it isn’t so hot outside! I love walking in the fall!
I like the paint on your pedometer….gives it character!