Fitness Gadgets in Review

**3rd post since January 2013's post**

Being a fitness junkie and a technology lover, I do love my fitness gadgets.

I was fortunate to get a computer with the Internet (Any old AOL 4.0 users out there?) in middle school, went to undergrad for it, & use it everyday.  One of my loves is technology.  So naturally, I'm into fitness gadgets.  Here's a scroll down memory lane from when I first started my weight loss journey 'til now.

1. Pedometer

I diligently attempted 10,000 steps (that's what they say is recommended daily) as goal. I really don't remember reaching 10,000 steps, at least using that.  I always forgot to put the thing on and it wasn't really a discreet way to hang on your pants without it being a  "fashion faux paux" So moving on...


2. Heart rate monitor

I used this heart rate monitor until it literally stopped working. Well, it was cheap anyways. I got it for like $10 at Wal Mart, but still. I counted calories to lose weight for the most part, so this thing really, really helped me. I liked to track my progress numerically. And it's pink for breast cancer awareness.

3. Nike+ app

This was my favorite app on my iPhone at the time. Once I completed the Couch to 5k app, I can say I really, really became anal serious about tracking my runs. I didn't know what the heck a running pace and splits were until I saw them on this app. I didn't even think about that type of stuff while I was learning to run a 5k period with C25K. I just knew I wanted to run a 5k in 30 minutes because that's what the app said. So once I started using this app and running with the "fast girls" in BGR, that's when I gave attention to improving my running statistically. And, so the number obsession began ... smh.

4. Nike+ GPS watch

So of course naturally, I thought I was a real pro after this (I was tho ;-)) and I grew tired of fidgeting with the app, the bulky phone case, so I got the GPS watch.I decided on it based on the ease of use, the price, and I liked that I could interchange between the app and GPS watch and it'd all be the same. Plus my iPhone battery sucked. During my first half marathon, my phone died around mile 10. :-( I set out to get this watch IMMEDIATELY. 

Oh, I almost forgot I owned the old school Garmin Forerunner 305. I might have used it...NEVER. That watch was way too bulky and I didn't like that I couldn't add the new miles I would track with that watch with my Nike app (see, I'm a numbers freak). It didn't take long to sell it over Craigslist for $20 more than I'd paid.. :-)

What's next? Well, I'm pretty content with my watch even a year later. It helped me run without all of this stuff attached to me, so I'm good with just that and my iPod. If anything, I'll get ear buds that won't fall out of my ear. On to the next...

Getting It Together...Back on Track!

I ended up having more fun in New Orleans than I thought I would! It was my second trip there, but my first actually being able to see and participate in a few things.  We saw sites, tasted beignets, shopped, partied on Bourbon Street, hung with friends, and best of all ATE!  But, all good things must come to an end :-(

On our way home, we decided to make a couple of store stops, including the pawn shop (we love a deal).  I accidentally (by accidentally I mean I was not actually in the market for this at the time) found a Garmin Forerunner 305.  The price was too good for me not to pass it up.  They sold it to us for $80. I Googled the item before buying it to make sure we were getting a fair price, because like I said, I wasn't in the market for this  so I hadn't done my research other than seeing other bloggers casually mention it.  For the same model, I saw prices for $129 and up, so I believe we weren't jipped lol.  This item was really on my 2012 wishlist.  So, I'm pretty happy with the price we paid for it.  I can't wait to take it out.  Oh, and I'm probably still going to use Nike+.  I want the Garmin to help me train for faster times and keep me on pace. I don't really care about recording my workouts with the Garmin as of yet.  I like the Nike+ user interface too much.

**7/26 update: I realized the cradle/charger wasn't in the bag. I went back to the shop and they didn't have it either. So basically they gave me $25 (eBay price) to get one. So really I ended up paying $55 for the thing. Niiiice ^_^


Weekly Workout Goals
Monday - rest
Tuesday - Circuit Training & 3+ mile P.M. group run
Wednesday - 3-4 A.M. group run & Strength Train (upper body)
Thursday - Circuit Training
Friday - Circuit Training
Saturday - rest
Sunday - Yoga or Stretching

My schedule seems a little jacked up to me because I forgot I'm babysitting this week so I had to plan my workouts on days I know working out won't be a problem.  I tweeted last week that I volunteered to watch my BFF's 4 kids! Yeah, I don't know what I was thinking.  Hopefully I can stick to the schedule I've planned for myself.  These aren't normally the days I spread my workouts on.  Anyhow, I need to put myself back on a schedule regardless.  Next week's post I'll include my planned meals for the week. The trip threw me off track as far as meal planning and I may have to go grocery shopping tomorrow.  Huh, so much to do and not enough time in the day! Story of everyone's lives!

Lastly, just as the title says, to really make sure I'm getting it together, I have decided to participate in two challenges of bloggers I have just started to follow.  The first is a 7-day "No Excuses" Challenge by RenewedFitness to basically finish a few goals (mostly non-fitness related) that I started, such as register to take the GRE.  Another goal, but not as important, update my running playlist, which I'm almost done already.  The other challenge is by YumYucky and hasn't started yet.  It's a "Finish What You Started" Challenge.  Now this is the fitness-related one that I plan to do starting in August to rededicate myself to my fitness and desired physique goals.  

That's it for tonight's post.  There'll be new recipe reviews I'm trying or have tried posted later in the week.

Motivate Me & I'll Motivate You!