Saturday, February 20, 2010

my motivator

The second month of the year is almost over, are you still keeping to your resolutions? I'm trying to...

One of the features on my iPhone is a program made by Nike.

It uses a sensor, which you have to buy separately, you calibrate it according to your walking or running pace.

The sensor fits at the bottom of several Nike shoes, but you don't have to go out and buy their shoes (though that IS what they would hope).

I have a little rubber pouch that this sensor fits in and it attaches to the laces of my shoes.

The instructions on their website states that only if you will be going for a workout, should you use it. Meaning, if you are just going to the mall, where your walking may be stop and go (I think it only records after you go a certain speed, otherwise it doesn't detect movement and goes to sleep), then it wouldn't be favorable to use the sensor, plus you'll wear out the battery faster.

After you walk/run, you send your data to Nike through iTunes, and it tracks your progress. You can set goals, like you will run 10 miles by a certain date. Or like me, my recent goal is that I will burn 2000 calories within 2 weeks.

Anyway, the good thing about this sensor is that it sends the mileage info to your iPhone or iPod and calculates how many miles you walk/run, plus calculates how many calories you have burned.

You can set different types of workouts: by time, by distance, or by calories.

The bad thing about this sensor is that you never know if it is off or on. The battery is supposed to last 3 years but it would depend on how often or how long you use it per walk/run. And, it isn't eco-friendly, you need to buy a new sensor when the battery goes kaput.

Still, I've used this for about a month now. I used to think that my regular walks to the grocery store in the mornings were enough, but they weren't.

I am pretty proud of myself because it has gotten me out of the house even during these cold months. So on top of my walks to the grocery store, in the afternoons, I walk for about 30 minutes to an hour about 4 or 5 times a week.

Hopefully, by the time my sensor's battery goes kaput, I will have lost a little weight and Nike will have come up with a way to change the battery.

11 comments:

Rowena said...

This year I didn't make any resolutions but went for goals instead. So far so good. Still fit in my pants!

K and S said...

So far Rowena, I still fit in mine too.

Take care.
Kat

Semsavblanc said...

I can't believe the apps that are available for iPhones! This sounds incredible! It also sounds a bit confusing for someone who is not a tech head, like me. How many calories have you burned so far? It sounds like you wouldn't be far off 2000 by now.

K and S said...

Thanks Semsavblanc, I've achieved my goal of 2000 yesterday and have set a new one for 2500 in the next 2 weeks. I'm not a tech head but am a little more savvy than my hubby :)

Take care.
Kat

Deb in Hawaii said...

Good job in sticking with your goals! I keep meaning to buy one of these sensors but haven't yet. I just use my old-school pedometer! ;-) They seem like more fun and a better motivator though.

K and S said...

Thanks Debinhawaii, I really debated over it because the battery cannot be changed :( but I'm glad I got it!

Take care.
Kat

Marie said...

Keep up the hard work! I want to buy a scale very soon and start monitoring my weight. Unfortunately, my neighborhood and my schedule isn't that conducive to walking, but I'm hoping to incorporate more activity in soon whether with a gym or classes of some sort. Thanks for posting about your goals, it served as a good motivator. :)

K and S said...

Thanks Marie, I hope you find somewhere to get your workout in :)

Take care.
Kat

K and S said...

Thanks for stopping by Rooster, you have a great blog.

Take care and keep up the good work!
Kat

Barbara said...

What a great idea. I must ask my friend at Nike about them.

K and S said...

Thanks Barbara, I really hope they can make this eco-friendly :)

Take care.
Kat