The malls are packed with eager shoppers searching for the perfect holiday gift. I am one of them, trudging my way through Alderwood mall. Back at the parking lot I made a crucial decision: coat or no coat? I opted for the latter and now I face the freezing consequences as I venture outside to hit REI, Williams-Sonoma and the American Girl store.
The Christmas displays are pretty but I’m torn between the happiness I feel purchasing gifts for my loved ones, and the nagging thought that I’ve squandered all of my free time crushed by consumerism. Forget the gym, I’m a prisoner to my Christmas list.
But it’s OK — from an exercise point of view — because every step counts. I have my Fitbit in my pocket tracking my effort.
My Fitbit obsession started like many fitness obsessions do on New Year’s Day with my intention to exercise more. I put myself on the waiting list for a Fitbit Charge HR in purple. Two months later I was still waiting because the backorder list was epic. In late February I changed course and bought a Fitbit One.
The One is 1.89 inches long and looks like a black bug that clips to your waistband. I prefer to wear mine floating loose in my pocket.
Today at the mall I use the One to keep tabs of my progress. At the push of a button it displays my daily steps, stairs, calories burned, miles and the time. I don’t need my phone or computer to access any of this information. All I have to do is pull the One out of my pocket and I see my results.
7,494 steps and 2.94 miles after two hours of shopping. Not bad. I open the heavy doors and stroll into Nordstrom feeling accomplished. I search for the area where the Tory Burch for Fitbit accessories used to be.
The big drawback to the One is that I can’t wear it with dresses that don’t have belts or pockets. For the sake of my wardrobe, several months ago I also bought a Fitbit Flex.
The Flex comes with a rubber wristband. Instead of a digital display, the Flex has a line of lights that activate the more steps you walk in a given day. When you accomplish your goal, the Flex vibrates. As opposed to the One, you have to sync the Flex to your phone or computer to see your mileage and the Flex does not calculate stairs climbed.
From a fashion standpoint, the Flex is more exciting than the One. Fitbit sells different color wristbands and Tory Burch offers pricey bracelet options.
Unlike me, there must be loads of women with extra cash to spend on the Tory Burch accessories because Nordstrom is sold out the day of my visit. I shrug my shoulders and keep on shopping. I still have seven presents — and two miles — to go.
Jennifer Bardsley lives in Edmonds. Her book “Genesis Girl” is scheduled to be released in 2016. Find her online on Instagram @the_ya_gal, Twitter @jennbardsley or at teachingmybabytoread.com.
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