We’ve talked a lot about self care lately, and when the opportunity came around to host another giveaway for Withings, I jumped on it.
We gave away two of the Withings Activité watches earlier this year, and this time we have two new pieces of technology. I have used earlier versions of both for the past year and personally love them a lot – probably more than I should love an electronic device.
Taking good care of yourself is essential self care, I think. So to that end, we have a Withings Activité Steel and a Body Cardio Scale to give away, both of which are designed to help you feel more in control of your health and to remind you to keep taking good care of yourself in the small and large decisions you make.
Personally speaking, the reminder part is key for me – especially lately, when I have been craving comfort carbs that are risen, or baked, or both risen then baked then covered with cheese. I’ve needed a little extra motivation to remind myself to eat the things that make me feel good in the long and short term, and to get out of my chair and go outside. (Me: It’s dark so early. AND IT’S COLD. Dogs: WALK WALK WALK WALKIES TIME FOR WALKING OMG LET’S GO). As I said, I have versions both of these items, one of which was sent to me for evaluation in January, and the other I purchased with the coupon code back in February when we did our last Withings giveaway.
I love them both and I’m really excited to give two away!
The Withings Steel Watch
The Withings Activité Steel tracks your activity and shows you your daily progress using a small pedometer dial on the front. Your daily goal can be customized using the app on your smartphone. It tracks your walking, running, and swimming, has a sleep monitor, and a vibrating alarm (you have to wear the watch at night, of course, for the sleep tracking features).
In the Withings Health Mate app, thanks to the tracker, you’ll see distance traveled, calories burned, activity, sleep data, and all that fun stuff. The app also syncs to other apps you might already use, like My Fitness Pal or Run Keeper.
I know many of you have tried pedometers and devices that count your steps, and they can be motivating and kind of addictive, right? That’s definitely true for me.
If I set the total steps goal using the Withings Health Mate app on my phone to 8k or 10k, watching that dial move around to 100% becomes my MISSION. Walking the dogs – ok, that’s 40%. Treadmill days mean I reach 100% earlier; days where I do another activity mean I have to make sure I walk around extra to hit my goal. I’m more likely to go play outside or arrange my to-do list so that there’s more moving involved. And, true and embarrassing story: I have been known to read while pacing my bedroom before bed, or take laps around my kitchen island while making dinner if I’m close to my goal in the evening. (I really hope I’m not alone in doing silly things to hit my movement goals each day.)
What I like about my Activité Steel is that it’s very simple and elegant as a watch. But it also does three key things: It tells me the time and it tells me my progress toward my daily goal at a glance. And, most importantly, every time I look at it to check the time, I’m reminded that I have a goal to reach that day. That reminder aspect is really effective.
The Body Cardio Scale
The Body Cardio Scale is the newer model of the scale I purchased in February (I have the Body scale). It’s a glass scale with a digital readout, and it tells you all sorts of things about you, your progress, and also what’s going on around you.
Obviously, it tracks your weight. It’s a scale. It also syncs that data via Bluetooth to the Withings Health Mate app, and in the app you can see your progress overall. The Body Cardio tracks your body fat percentage and your heart rate, plus additional cardiovascular measurements as well.
The scale also connects to your WiFi network and displays the weather for the day where you are, with high and low temperatures. Plus it can handle up to eight different people, and keeps track of who is who and syncs only their data to their accounts. I had mine for a few weeks when my husband wanted to start using it, and it’s been tracking both of us flawlessly since then. When one of my kids tried it, the scale figured out pretty quickly that neither of us had suddenly dropped to less than 70 pounds.
The Body Cardio has a bunch of upgraded features that look seriously cool. It comes with a rechargeable battery, and tracks multiple points of data about your body, including your heart rate and bone mass.
Now, it might seem like a terrible idea to weigh yourself every day, but I find that doing so functions as a reminder, much like the watch does when I check the time. I know I will see the results of what I’m doing each day the following morning, and I am more likely to act according to my goals.
In other words, much like my motto in my calendar series and in the course I’m developing for time organization, Past Sarah and Present Sarah must work together to help Future Sarah. Whether that’s meal planning, or making sure I take a long walk each day, or choosing vegetables over corn chips (and Lord above, do I love corn chips — mmm, salt) the choices I make help both present me and future me. The scale and the watch remind me to do both, so that Past and Present Sarah give Future Sarah the gift of health.
Ok, I’m seriously going to shrivel with embarrassment at how much I’ve talked about myself, here. So let’s get to the really good and superb fun part: I’m so happy to give one of each of these tools away!
One winner will receive the Withings Activité Steel in his or her choice of color. Retail value: $149.95US.
One winner will receive the Withings Body Cardio Scale in black or white. Retail value: $179.95US.
To enter: leave a comment below and tell us one thing you are doing, or will be doing, to give your future self the gift of kindness, health, and good care.
Maybe it’s choosing to move around more by taking a walk each day, and making sure there are excellent audiobooks lined up for your walking time (whomever told me that Kate Reading’s performance of Lord of Scoundrels was good – you are SO RIGHT). Or maybe you’re making sure to prepare extra portions of your favorite meals so you have some for lunch the following few days. Or perhaps you’d really like to give a gift to someone you know and love – that’s fair, too!
Disclaimer: I’m not being compensated for this giveaway. Void where prohibited. Open to US and Canadian residents where permitted by applicable law. Must be over 18 and prepared to gift yourself with ALL the health, in all the best ways. If anyone lets party rock into the house tonight, please close the door. Should individuals note that the beat has dropped, the broom and dustpan are in the hall closet. Rocking out is always permitted. As always, there is no bad weather, just bad clothing. Comments will close at noon ET on Friday 9 December and winners will be announced shortly afterward.
[And, if you’re thinking of shopping, Withings is having a sale right now where you get 25% off two or more devices. They also have this really freaking cool thermometer for $99 that doesn’t require that you touch the person being measured, and connects with a care app that includes info from Boston Children’s Hospital. If you know someone expecting or with a new baby, this could be a lovely present!]
Important Thanks: Susie Felber, who is also known in the Romance universe as “Edith Layton’s daughter,” works for Withings, Part of Nokia, and has provided the giveaway prizes for us. Thank you!
Good luck, y’all!
UPDATE: And our winners are Julia and Cat C! Thanks to all the commenters and happy holidays! I hope you all meet your Gift of Health goals!
To do my physical therapy more conscientiously so that my shoulder will heal sooner. Plus my daily walks.
I went to my boss and his boss to discuss certain inequalities of labour distribution. Changes were made.
Also, meal prep. I wake up at 4:00 every morning, so I decided a while back that I might as well put those hours to use on Sunday morning. I’m usually too tired when I get home from work to want to think about cooking and was more likely to graze on empty calories like crackers or waste money on fast food or the drive-through. They’re not culinary masterpieces, but they’re waiting for me when I get home and require nothing more than reheating, with no more clean-up than washing the storage container, plate and utensils.
I’ve been trying to cut down on lunches out and I joined a spin class, which I love.
I have been and will continue to workout 5-6 days a week. I may also start meditating to help with stress.
High fives from the treadmill, y’all!
I will keep going to the Y regularly. I will get my knee fixed.
Im going back to Pilates. It’s a great exercise and my lazy self is not looking forward to my first class which begins in January. I can already feel the sore muscles.
I’m going to establish a meditation practice for mental health, and pack a lunch at least 3 times a week. Work stress can’t keep taking over my life!
Funnily enough, doing more home cooking, so I can bring leftovers for lunch – not buy expensive or fast food – is a thing I started doing this past month. It’s going well!
I bought a stool for the kitchen so I can cook without knee pain interfering. I am going to cook two crock pot dishes each weekend and portion them out for lunches during the week so I don’t eat out as much.
Been on my last diet of my life to get rid of Pre-diabetes . Down 30 and working hard. Would love the scale!!!!
I hired a personal trainer. I go twice a week. In between, I am walking more or using the treadmill. After the holidays, I would like to add a Yoga class.
I’m determined to make time for my yoga classes, as well as meetings with friends, despite all the work deadlines and holiday stuff going on.
I’m going to hit some big lifting goals within the next 6 weeks. Here I come 200lb deadlift, 115lb bench, and 165lb squat.
Over the past year my boyfriend and I have been working on giving up sweet tea and soda. We have been grilling chicken breast once or twice a week to use in salads. Overall we are using less bread, pasta,and fatty meats like beef and pork. When the weather permits we ride our bikes around the neighborhood.
I will be cooking more, instead of making peanut butter from the jar into dinner…
I am spending from now until Christmas eating Paleo, trying to recipes, and running at least 4 times a week! This year I have lost 50 lbs after having my first baby and I am learning that inhace to take care of myself to take care of my family!
Man I need coffee. *trying new recipes and also *I have to.
I walk every day and average 16 miles a day. I have a Fitbit, but would like something a bit more stylish. I never weigh myself because if I don’t lose weight fast enough my motivation dies, but I did end up at urgent care last week and when they weighed me I found I have lost 50+ pounds in the past year. So while my knees, ankles, and feet hurt, it seems the walking is good for me. Go figure.
I’ve been cutting down on junk food and doing exercises to strengthen my back.
Get more exercise and take my medicines as prescribed.
I’ve heard good things about Whole 30 from friends who’ve made it through the month, so I’m giving it a shot after the holidays. I eat so much processed crap simply for convenience, and I can be doing so much better for myself! Also rejoined the gym on Friday, so I can get my butt moving.
I am trying to get to sleep earlier so that I can have more energy to actual use my treadmill for something other than a clothes-hanger
10,000 steps six out of seven days a week. I never can seem to make it beyond a five day streak….
Even so, I feel much better already.
Going to make better use of my gym membership: go the complementary classes they offer, brave the weight room and lift, re-start mediation practices to find balance and calm.
I want to be stronger, faster, healthier, but this past month has reminded me how important moving is for my emotional / mental health and I haven’t been taking the time for health (for me) that I want to be.
I am going to get back to walking more. I’ve been slacking way too much. No excuses today–the sun is shining. Off I go.
Work finally opened an exercise room in our basement, so as soon as they get the release forms sorted out so I can sign, I’m going to be down there using the ARC trainer at least 2 times a week after I finish my workday.
I’m going to try and exercise just 15 minutes each day–it’s when I get ambitious and try to go along with someone’s Fitness Challenge that I just stop. But I’m also going to forgive myself when I don’t even do that–I was exercising consistently starting on November 25, and I had a good plan to keep going, then I got sick on Thursday and have been taking a break and focusing on relaxing and healing rather than stressing out my body and mind.
I’m going to be more conscious of the food I’m putting in my mouth by making changes to my diet and cooking more often.
I am remaining aware of my limitations as we go into this stressful holiday season, taking time for self-care and destressing to avoid flares.
To care for my self. I’m going to get to bed earlier. Lack of sleep makes me grumpy and sluggish.
I’ve moved from a high rise to a one story building. After one year, the lack of taking steps has been noticeable. I need to regain the loss of muscle, or I will no longer be able to keep up with my hiking partners. Slippery slope, slippery slope.
I started going to a personal trainer a year and a half ago. I really cringed about the money, and I was disgusted with myself for not being disciplined on my own about working out. Hiring the trainer turned out to be a great decision for me. She got me back to exercising regularly, plus she gave me the confidence to start attending the boot camp classes in the gym. Now I actually enjoy working out, my cholesterol has dropped, and I’ve made a bunch of new friends via my gym.
I workout a lot (running, weights, yoga, I’m not even going to admit how much time I spend daily) because I have too many feelings. But this year has been so bad, and the feelings just won’t quit. But! I’ve been retiling a bathroom for a friend the past few days, and demolition may be the answer. Smashing things is so therapeutic, I cannot recommend it more highly.
Keep working out 6 days a week. I always feel better, even if I feel unmotivated before I start. Also, not dieting. Changing eating habits for good. Although I could murder a bag of corn chips…mmm.
I have starting using a meditation app!
I have been doing more at home workouts using just my body weight. Time to step those up and start using some hand weights/resistance bands.
Also need to add more veggies to the plate!
I’ve started doing two things: 1) I am a teacher, so I make sure that when I’m not on recess duty, I take a quick walk around the perimeter of the school. Not only is it exercise, it helps clear my mind for the afternoon classes. 2) I now use the Bedtime feature on my phone to make sure I go to sleep at a normal hour. It totally makes a difference! (Unless, of course, I’m reading an old Mary Balogh Christmas romance and I decide to ignore the feature all together 😉
Need to restart walking and get back into Pilates. Going to hit “Submit” and then hit the Pilates website and schedule a lunch session this week.
Making an effort to actually get a full night’s sleep! Going to bed by 10/10:30, not drinking before bedtime, and not getting caught up in a book no matter how good it is (I succeed about half the time when that’s the case…so I’m making an effort not to even pick up a book if I wake up in the middle of the night)