By Jodee Weiland

In order to start the New Year right, I invested in a step counter, Fitbit One. Over the years, I have had several step counters, starting with the first step counter purchased years ago for five dollars. I was teaching English literature and composition at our local high school. The school nurse introduced us to the idea of a step counter we could purchase for this nominal fee. The idea was counting our steps to improve our health and make us more aware of our true activity level. I loved the idea and bought one. It was one of the best choices I ever made, finding a New Way to Count Steps and Track Fitness!

That was only the beginning of the journey. I had always worked out, and now I was simply tracking the results of any and all activity during my day. As we grow older, it is not unusual to become more sedentary. Aches and pains settle in joints and muscles over the years, especially if we use those muscles less. Any old injuries become a constant reminder that we’re aging. The only real way to fight back is to keep active and keep moving. The more you move, the less likely you are to suffer from muscle and joint soreness.

My first step counter actually helped me step it up a bit. I thought I was still keeping as active as before, but I found out that in reality, I had slowed down somewhat. That’s when I stepped it up and made sure I was taking at least 10,000 steps a day, the approximate equivalent of five miles. The tracking of steps made me even more aware of my activity level, which in turn, helped me to increase my activity level as I got older rather than decrease it.

I moved on from that first step counter to several of the OMRON brand step counter. These step counters gave me even more information about my activity level. I became aware of not just steps taken, but calories burned. When I first did this, step counters weren’t all that popular, and they were also somewhat bulky and not as easy to wear. They usually clipped on to a waist band, but were definitely noticeable to the wearer. The later ones could upload your steps to a computer, giving you a visual record of your day to day activity over extended periods of time. My last step counter could track over thirty days before having to upload the information and showed up to seven days activity on the step counter itself at any time. This helps you see your progress.

Eventually, I decided it was time to upgrade for a few reasons. First, the newer step counters are small enough and light enough that you don’t even feel them on you when you wear them. This is so much more comfortable and means you are more likely to continue using it. Second of all, these new step counters, track not just steps, but stair climbing, aerobic activity intensity, sleep patterns, and so much more. So after researching and one false start (I returned one stepper that did not do what it claimed), I finally ended up purchasing a Fitbit One during the holiday sales and couldn’t be happier with the results.

Fitbit One is my New Way to Count Steps and Track Fitness! With Fitbit One, I can track steps, stairs (floors climbed), calories, miles, activity level, sleep patterns, and so much more. It even links up to various other plans that track your food, etc., like MyFitnessPal.com, which I am using. You can sync it wirelessly with your computer and apps on various devices. I love being able to track so much information about my activity levels and at the same time, keep fit. This program even awards me badges for completing certain achievements as I progress, which makes it fun. You can even share your results with others if you choose to do so through social media. So far this has been one of my better investments in my fitness routine and plan to keep healthy! If you’re looking for a great way to amp up your fitness plan for the New Year or even just to start one, this step tracker is a great idea, so give it a try and enjoy!

NOTE: This is NOT a sponsored post. The information given is based on my own personal opinions, experiences, and thoughts.

By Jodee Weiland

Working out to stay healthy is a way of life for me, and it can be for you, too. There are so many Ways to Workout at Home Easily and Stay Healthy!

That said, my one word of caution to any of you would be to consult with your doctor before starting any workout routine, especially if you have never worked out before or have had health problems. I’m not a fitness trainer or expert, but I know what works for me and what doesn’t because I have been working out at least three to five times a week for most of my adult life. Lately, I work out daily. With age comes certain advantages making that easier to do. For one thing the children are grown up and on their own. And for another thing, I’m now retired after years of teaching. Both factors make it easier to workout daily and feel great!

Nonetheless, even if you have children at home or work, you can still workout three to five times a week or even more, if you choose to do so. It doesn’t have to cost a fortune to do so either. When my children were young, I used a number of ways to workout and be at home with them. Later when I returned to the work, I continued to workout at home on weekends and evenings. One inexpensive way I chose to workout was to use DVD’s or video tapes years ago. There are fitness experts by the dozens out there making work out DVD’s for you to be able to use in your own homes. You can choose DVD’s for walking workouts, yoga, dance, and more. Choose DVD’s anywhere from beginners to advanced levels of difficulty. You just have to decide which of these will work for you!

One of my favorites, and definitely one that just about anyone can use, is the Leslie Sansone’s Walk at Home series. Leslie Sansone has DVD’s for people at all levels of fitness, and she makes working out fun and easy using her four basic steps. I’ve used many of her tapes for years, even while I was travelling. It’s so easy to carry a DVD with you when you travel and play it on a lap top or hotel/condo DVD player. You can even use her walk boosters, from resistance bands to handheld weights and more, to intensify your workout. Order online or shop at stores, you will find such a wide variety of tapes, you’ll be able to change up your workout often. As Leslie says often on her tapes, you need to change it up a little so that the muscles will work harder, and she’s right!

Another way I change it up is to use my exercise mini trampoline (see my earlier post for more information), which I use just about every day because I love it so much. You can purchase one inexpensively at a sporting goods store, a warehouse store, or even a retail store, or you can pay more money for an expensive brand, if you really want to do so. Years ago, I was looking for an alternative to a treadmill and found a Rebounder Mini Trampoline. At first I thought it was some sort of toy, but on closer inspection, I realized it was an inexpensive, easy to use, and easy to store piece of workout equipment. At the time, the price was about twenty-five dollars and much easier to afford than a treadmill, so I thought to myself, “Why not?” I decided to give it a try, and that has been a decision I have never regretted to this day.

I’ve replaced it several times over the years from wear and tear. My latest one cost me fifty dollars plus tax at a sporting goods store. I jog in place on my mini trampoline at least an hour a day, but more often than not I will jog longer or sometimes even more than once a day. This inexpensive piece of equipment works no matter what the weather is outside, and I can do it while I watch the news or whatever else is on the television. I love it, and even though I have a workout room in my home with a treadmill and an elliptical, as well as weight training equipment, plus more, I still use my mini jogger every day! I use the other equipment as well, but not as frequently because this is easier to fit in to my schedule no matter what’s going on during the day.

There are so many Ways to Workout at Home Easily and Stay Healthy! Whatever you decide to do to keep fit and healthy, you won’t regret the choice because in the long run you will feel and look better as a result. Keep in mind that it is important to eat well if you want to lose weight or maintain weight and stay healthy. Working out should never be an excuse for poor eating habits. I use a Mediterranean diet for the most part. It’s what I grew up with in my childhood home, and it’s delicious as well. It’s also a healthy way to eat according to most doctors, but that doesn’t mean you can eat unlimited amounts of pasta.

When you eat, eat to live as the saying goes. Don’t live to eat! Moderation is a good rule of thumb. Sometimes we eat fast and feel overstuffed afterwards. That’s because when you eat, it takes time for your stomach to register fullness. Pace yourself and enjoy your meal while you enjoy those you’re sharing your meal with or that wonderful book you’re reading. Eat right and make eating healthy a habit and a way of life, not a diet. Be sure to check out some of my recipes. Once you do, find ways to workout that are right for you and stay healthy by eating right as well! Enjoy life!