Move My Feet Campaign - Review of the Striiv Pedometer

I simply do not understand
 why this is so hard!

  I am retired.  I have time to walk.

  I am in good health.  I have good genes.

  I believe that walking is the near perfect exercise. Experience taught me that.

 I am as young as I am EVER GOING TO BE.
*sigh*

The excuses I have used to avoid walking are varied but oh so familiar. 

I am busy.

I have mom responsibilities.

My son is getting married.  

I got sick.

I have bull dogs and they walk like turtles sprint.

The weather is raining,
 dark,
 snowing,
 sunny,
 perfect 

(yes,  I have used "perfect weather" as an excuse

 'cause I could do something else with the "perfect day").

Crazy

The wedding is over, my son is married, Mom is cared for, I am well, the bull dogs would rather be on the couch in the air conditioning, and there are no weather-free days.

I have set a goal AGAIN.

April 2013 - at 66, I want to be walking at least 4 times a week and taking at least 10,000 steps every day.  I am still committed to walking that 1,000 miles goal that I started earlier in the year but reaching it by December 31 is unrealistic.  Any bets on what day in 2013 I will make that 1,000 miles?  Hey, maybe I should have a contest!!

(If anything, I should get extra points for never ceasing to try!)

So early last week I got a new toy tool (toy is the correct word, truly) - to launch this new "move my feet campaign.".

Striiv Smart Pedometer is a fancy-shmancy pedometer. Yes, a step counter.  (Unfortunately I still need the objective feedback of a number that says - "yes, you moved today," or "no, (you slug,) you were a vegetable today.")

Now this new high end pedometer does more than just count steps.

• It counts the typical things beyond steps: time, mileage, calories, etc.  
• It also counts running steps and stairs climbed.  
• You can link wirelessly to other Striiv folks nearby to compete against them if inclined.  
• It has a touch screen for changing functions.  
• It needs to be on your body somewhere - even just hanging from a key ring.  No worrying that it is placed incorrectly at the waist like most other models.
• It shows your historic data by number and grid, and shows averages for about 30 days right on the pedometer.   
• A cable connects the Striiv pedometer to your computer for downloads of updates from the Striiv site and back ups of your stats on their network.  If you should lose the data for some reason (like a function failure) you can reconstruct it from your automatic back up.
• It plugs into an electrical outlet to charge rather than replacing a battery. 

While those features are a big step up in function over my Omron Pedometer (which I still love), none of those hooked me into this purchase.   My hook is "the challenge!"  There are a large variety of easy, medium and hard challenges.  Challenges can be selected but frequently they are offered spontaneously, "how about climbing 50 steps in the next 15 minutes" or "increase your step count by 300 in the next 5 minutes" or "run for 10 minutes" - and if I accept a challenge the clock starts counting down immediately.  If I meet the challenge, it gives me extra energy credits over what I earn by walking. Energy credits are used in a game on the pedometer (yes, a game on the pedometer!!)

Wooo Hoooo!!!

Of course, if you aren't shallow like me, you can use your energy credits towards a free charitable donation, which I shockingly haven't taken advantage of yet!!! Too busy playing my game.  :-)

Stats tracking is reported in number and grid format.  It also shows you how your efforts play against certain fun measures.  For example: I climbed enough stairs to reach the top of the Statue of Liberty (achieved easily - my house is nothing but stairs). I am now working on climbing mount Mount Everest!!   I also know where I am in walking a marathon.

Anyway, I am now off the couch and walking again.  Those dang challenges are like a red flag in front of a bull for me - I can't seem to resist.  And although I might not need this kind of incentive 10 months from now, it is a huge help in getting started.  In fact, I can already tell after one week that I have more energy.  My body has a very positive response to exercise - it is my brain that needs a kick in the butt!!

So I had to buy this pricey pedometer to get walking again, but - what the heck - it is only money and I can't take it with me after I am dead.  (Hopefully this pedometer will hold off "the death thingy" a little longer - but that is not part of Striiv's guarantee.  Best Buy doesn't guarantee it either.  Dang!)

I guess in the end it is really up to me!!


Post Script - This little gadget does more than I have expressed here, so if you are curious, check their site at this  link.  
I will tell you this.  I checked the feedback on Amazon, and Striiv was very well rated for accuracy and incentivizing you, BUT there were a few reported failures in function.  Striiv does provide customer support (online and phone) to resolve issues.   Since it is a new product and expensive, I bought my Striiv at Best Buy instead of Amazon.  Best Buy offers a 2 year "fix or replace service" contract for $15.00.  Seemed like a worthwhile safeguard for 2 years.

Post Script to the Post Script

I am not being sponsored by Striiv to write this post!  But if they want to pay me, I am OK with that!  :-)