Two weeks ago I purchased and started using a Fitbit Flex. It is basically a set of accelerometers, some computing, and a Bluetooth wireless connection bundled into something you can wear on your wrist. This little gadget won’t turn me into an athlete, but I’m hoping it might make me a little more aware of my astounding lack of activity. And in the process, possibly shame me into moving a bit.
I came across an interesting post on Wired today, referring to a Dutch study that just made me shake my head. The study found that obese people actually save society money versus healthy, thin people. While they are alive the fat people cost more, but since they die younger they end up being cheaper overall versus the healthy people who live longer and require care as they age.
Every year we buy more halloween candy than we give out. That’s great: I like the little snacks.
And every year I grab a handful (or two, or three…) of the stuff every time I sit down in front of the TV. So, there I am, feeling overweight and lazy, eating hundreds of totally empty calories. I feel this strange compulsion to eat the stuff as fast as possible, so it is gone and no longer a temptation. But wait a sec- whether I eat it in one week, or eat it in six months, I’m still ingesting the same calories.
I am feeling “fat”, and I know exactly what I need to do to fix it. Eat less junk (not necessarily less *food*, just less junk), and be more active. But knowing what needs to be done and doing it are two entirely different things. Fortunately (?), I’ve stabilized for the moment at around 190 pounds. But I fear waking up one day and realizing I need a crane to get out of bed.