Linda Hall: A sure-fire way to get moving

Linda Hall.

I've joined the Fitbit Brigade. Yes, I'm now officially one of those people who walk round looking at their wrist every half an hour or so to see how many steps I have or haven't done.

Actually, my Fitbit is so clever that it gives me a little buzz if I haven't walked 250 steps in an hour.

It buzzes and then when I look at it, words like "time to step out" or "feed me" or "take me for a walk" flash across the screen.

And guess what? I do as I am told - I stand up and walk - well, most of the time anyway.

I've thought about getting one of these gadgets for ages and have been into numerous shops, spoken to untold sales people, looked them up on Google - but there are so many to choose from that I couldn't decide.

So I did the only thing a sensible mother would do - asked her very sensible and decisive daughter for one for Christmas. Well, she asked me what I wanted and I suggested a Fitbit.

Perfect solution for me.

Said daughter contacted her sisters and, lo and behold, on Christmas day I had a Fitbit.

I didn't have to choose which one or what colour - all I had to do was charge it and I was off.

I know a lot of people think they are just another gadget and a waste of money - Mr Neat included.

He loves to imitate me bringing my wrist up to look at it in a very exaggerated manner.

However after a good six months of lacking motivation when it comes to exercise, this has kick-started me again.

Plus, I have a very sedentary job and getting a little reminder to get up and move is great.

I've set my daily goal at 10,000 steps.

My device tells me the time and date, how many steps I've walked, how many kilometres those steps have taken me, how many calories I've burnt and how long I've exercised for.

It's connected to my phone, which also tells me how I'm sleeping, how many times I wake, how many times I am restless. It's fascinating, really.

It will also work out how many calories I've eaten if I care to log everything I put in my mouth, but I don't care to do that.

There are some pretty flash fitness devices out there that monitor your heart rate and do all sorts of different things.

I'm very happy with mine and since I have been wearing it I always look at other people's wrists and have been blown away by how many people wear them.

I had reason to be at Hawke's Bay Hospital a few weeks back and I was amazed at how many nurses had them on. I bet they do way more than 10,000 steps in a day.

They know the importance of exercise, so if they think it's a good idea I must be on to a winner.

It's definitely made me more aware of how much time I do sit and it's got me moving again. Now all I need to do is stop being a baby and get back on my bike.

I'm sure those nasty nesting magpies' babies have been born now - no more excuses, although that wind - and actually, it's jolly hot at the moment don't you think?

- Linda Hall is assistant editor of Hawke's Bay Today.