Hi friends! It’s Cody here- the other Nutshell RD. I’m sharing a thought that’s been on my mind lately in addition to some recent eats!
How often do you hear people talking about how many steps they’ve taken in a day? I hear about the 10,000 step goal all the time. These days you can be talking to your friends, your coworkers, or your family and literally everyone is familiar with this fitness goal. I can remember when it was rare for a person to know their steps.
Now I feel like everyone is hyper-aware. Yes, the increasing popularity of this goal probably has something to do with technology advancements, but no matter how cool the latest and greatest product is, I’m not a fan.
Personally, I’ve never worn a fitness tracker or felt the need to count my steps. Why? Because I know myself and I know I’ll likely begin to feel enslaved to a number goal. This would then make me ignore what my body is telling me and rely on an objective measurement. Where’s the joy in that? It just won’t work for me. I want to listen to my body and what works for ME. Who says 10,000 steps everyday will work for every single person on the planet? We are made much more unique than that and our bodies are much more complicated than that. Robyn and I both talk a lot about intuitive eating and listening to your body. I believe intuitive movement and intuitive eating go hand in hand.
I want to run when I want to run, walk when I want to walk, do barre when I want to do barre, stretch when I want to stretch. While I loooove the outdoors, I want to feel free to sit on the couch all day, enjoy a movie and just do nothing. Because sometimes that’s what my body (and my soul) needs. I don’t want my mood to be drastically affected when I’ve missed an exercise class because I had to work two hours longer than I’d planned or take out anger on my husband because I had to sit in traffic and couldn’t meet a friend for a walk. I also don’t want to compare my steps with my friend’s steps. Or feel guilty for sitting on the couch and reading a book when my husband is out on a run. It’s not worth the stress!
So what if he or she had more time to move around that day? Does that matter? No, absolutely NOT. What matters is how I feel. Comparison truly is the thief of joy and a number makes it so much harder to find that true, joyful freedom.
Is it possible to use a fitness tracker and not obsess? Sure!
For some people that may work. If the steps you take are separate from judgment, viewed purely as a fact and not at all associated with your attitude or self worth…then sure, no problem. Count your steps.
But maybe, you’re like me and you know you will feel guilty if you don’t hit 10,000 steps 4 days in a row or something like that. Should objective measurements define our success in a day or our health or our worth? No way.
Calories, steps, percent of macros – none of that matters or defines who you are! You are uniquely made and we all move at different schedules. Move according to what FEELS good, not according to what you should do or what your fitness tracker tells you to do. You are so much more than a number 🙂
Happy weekend!!
xoxo
Cody
Amen, Cody! Wise words and such a good reminder. I think using an activity tracker also lends itself to the idea that food is an exchange rate for calories burned/exercise completed and that is just a lie!!! But a lie I lived enslaved to for years. Thanks for sharing this message!
Thank YOU! I couldn’t agree with you more 🙂
Yes! Thank you Cody! I wear my fitness tracker because honestly, if I didn’t have a reminder to get up and move during my work day, I’d sit and scroll and scroll and scroll on my phone, when I could get up and walk around outside, or say hello to my fellow coworkers. But so what if I only get 3,000 steps? I may have done barre and that doesn’t get counted for. And I’m happy because I know my body, and my body is happy with the movement we made or didn’t make during the day. I love you addressed both sides of this. 🙂
Of course! It’s all about that freedom!
THANKYOU for this post! the whole fitbit trend annoys me so much…theres really no need for anyone to monitor their calories in/out, steps, heartrate, etc that closely! it just seems so disordered to me. the worst part is that i saw fitbits made specially for kids the other day….wtf is that?! so worried for any kids growing up with that kind of mindset being taught to them.
on a nicer note, those sprinkle-y pretzels look YUM
they were SO good!!
I have always felt the same way and have had no interest in those darn trackers! No thank you!
Wonderful post!
glad you can relate!
What is on your bagel sandwich? Looks amazing!
I think it was turkey, cheese, avocado and mayo!!
Agree 100%. I received a fitness tracker for Christmas, but asked for it because I was more interested in tracking my sleep (hello, mom to a 1 year old haha). I am at a place in my life where I find the steps interesting but it doesn’t control me. Sometimes I look at the calorie count and make sure I’ve at least hit that number in food intake, but not to restrict. Had I of had this thing a few years ago, it would have been a whole other story. Ps, I need to buy some strawberries now!
Totally get that 🙂 You do what feels right for YOU.
Hope you had a great Easter and your mom and Steele are well! Would (selfishly) love a pregnancy post / update!! xo
Thank you!! You too 🙂 We’ll see about a pregnancy post! Not a bad idea!
Love this! I used to be one of those people that was a slave to my fitness tracker. This weekend I was a bridesmaid in a wedding and was internally shaking my head at the things people would say and how some people in the wedding didn’t even want to take theirs off because their steps “wouldn’t count”. I’m so glad I’m not there anymore!
I’m glad you’re not there anymore either 🙂
At Forest Hills Audiology, the personnel is a harmonious blend of expertise and approachability, defining a standard of service that exceeds expectations. Each team member contributes to a culture of excellence and care, ensuring that every client feels valued and understood. From the reception to the professionals, the commitment to delivering a seamless, informative, and positive experience permeates every aspect of Forest Hills Audiology, making it a destination where hearing care is not just a service but a personalized and uplifting journey. https://foresthillsaudiology.com/services/