Dino’s Journal 📖

This experiment was about going 1 – 2 weeks without using my Fitbit Charge 2. Here is what I discovered from this experiment.

Initially I felt like I was missing something without my Fitbit on my wrist. After a day or so, this feeling went away and was replaced by a feeling of liberation.

• I no longer needed to worry about whether I forgot my Fitbit or not.
• My business casual outfits no longer looked out of sorts. I could wear an elegant looking traditional wrist watch on my left wrist and there won't be a fitness tracker on my other wrist to spoil the look.
• It was easier to put on jackets without the cuffs catching on my Fitbit.
• I no longer needed to remember to charge it every week.
• I no longer had to worry about the occasional itch/rash that would manifest because of wearing a Fitbit.

It wasn't all good results though.

• For one, I noticed that I became a lot more sedentary at the office. Without my Fitbit to prod me to take more steps, I would barely get up from my chair. The first week that I didn't have it, I didn't even take a walk at all. I usually take afternoon walks to increase my step count. I eventually realized this towards the end of the second week and started reminding myself to take walks, but still that proves that a fitness tracker like my Charge 2 actually influenced me to live a more active lifestyle.
• Second, there were a few instances where I felt slightly dizzy or had shortness of breath and was concerned that I couldn't check my heart rate, because I didn't have my Fitbit with me. I mean eventually it turned out fine, but I did miss having the ability to check my heart rate on demand.
• Third, since I try not to have my phone with me, especially at work, I miss the call/text notifications that I would get on my Fitbit. I could leave my phone inside my bag or in a drawer and still get notified that the wife texted or called me.

So what now?

As of last night, I started wearing my Charge 2 again before I went to bed. I wore it to the office today and I'll most likely keep wearing it until I find a better alternative for my new use case.

Specifically, when I'm at the office, I want to be able to use it to track my steps, but not have to wear it on my wrist. When I'm not at the office, I'm okay with wearing it on my wrist. I also still want it to be able to track my sleep and workouts, so I cannot replace it with a basic pedometer. I still want an activity tracker like a Fitbit that has a decent mobile app.

As of right now, the only possible solution to the scenario I gave above, is to buy a Fitbit Inspire and use it with the clip-on accessory when I'm at the office. Then when I get home, or if I'm out of the office, I can wear my Charge 2. I think that will work but I'll have to try it out first.

Lastly, you might remember me ranting about the news that Google bought Fitbit and that I don't want them to get my health data. I think I have a workaround for that. I can backup my existing health data and ask Fitbit to delete my account. Then I can create a new account using a pseudonym and use that with my Fitbit devices. Whether or not it will get to that, I still don't know, but I think it might be a good workaround nonetheless.

Tags: #ExperimentLog #ExperimentLogResults #Fitbit