We’ve talked a lot about self care lately, and when the opportunity came around to host another giveaway for, 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
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
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 , 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!
I’ve been following Jasinda Wilder’s Big Girls do it Running Program with good success. I got a treadmill on Cyber Monday and put it together yesterday. Got my first hour of walking in yesterday and I can read or catch up on SBTB’s podcast whilst walking!
I’m also working on my financial future, as a single person in their 40’s with no dependents, my retirement future is entirely in my hands. Present day Jayne has to look after future Jayne 😀
My self care is that I have stopped watching the news or reading it online. I’m not sure how long I’m going to do this. Every time I think of checking one of my news sites I just go nope and know I’m not ready.
I’ve been tracking calories & exercising, so I will keep that up & continue toward my weight loss goal! I’ll work on getting in 5 days of exercise every week, rather than the 3-4 I get now!
I have been refocusing myself on exercise and eating healthy, so going forward I want to become better about my internal monologue–not getting upset with myself for having an unhealthy, lazy day and not getting caught up thinking about ‘bad’ foods.
Also I will continue my efforts to achieve restful sleep, since I am perpetually exhausted!
I started Pilates earlier this year to help myself recover from a car accident and it’s the best decision I could have made. Next up: start running (let’s be real, jogging) again.
Every year I try to change one thing that will impact my health. A few years ago I gave up soda. Oh, Dr. Pepper, how I miss you. Then moved on to no foods containing high fructose corn syrup. Do you know how many manufacturers use it to make the caramel in your ice cream?! Last year it was going UP the stairs to my office in increasing amounts each month. It did not go well so I’m recommitting to that this month.
New baby means back to self care 101 for me- breakfast, lunch, and dinner & going outside once a day. Working on self care 102- gentle exercise routine to start to put things back together. Hoping the new year brings a careful return to pre-pregnancy workouts- I haven’t gotten to throw people in ages and I miss it! But need some core strength first.
Hi! I’m NOT entering the contest — I’m Edith Layton’s daughter and the Withings woman. I just want to say I have been a fan of this site since day 1, and I adore the truly smart and caring community that lives here. Loving all your answers to this question.
On a personal note, I’m ever working on getting more sleep because I’m a were-eater. When the moon is full, I shape shift, and the fridge opens… 🙂
Regular walking now that the weather is finally cooperating!
In something is both good for me and the son and daughter spawn, I have to, on days I’m off, take them both for a walk. My son is having some health difficulties that are necessitating some changes in diet and exercise (he really, really needs to gain some weight) and so he walks and my son takes him weightlifting twice a week as well. Other than that, I’m sticking to dancing around like a crazed squirrel at zumba at least once a week (one of my other zumba days is going to get eaten by my information organization class next semester) and martial arts. I just got my second stripe on my purple belt and should be testing for blue in January. I’m also trying to more judicious about portion control and eating out. Saves calories and money.
I have eczema and I use lotions and creams a couple times of day so that my future self won’t have as much dry, itchy and irritated skin to deal with.
I went to get my knees checked out, get cleared to go back to the gym, and I have a personal trainer appt to learn how to work out like an aging former jock, instead of a 20 year body builder. Also found out I might be able to get my knees fixed without surgery!
I am trying to work out more and push myself into doing more challenging things. Also stretching more. I hope I can eventually stretch myself back out to the same flexibility I was in high school but that’s a far goal.
I also want to meal prep more or at least make more tasty lunch options for myself so I can look forward to work lunch a bit more. And packing healthier snack options.
Walking the dog. It’s good for both of us. Since I figured out my phone keeps track of distance and steps, it makes it easier to conquer my slacker inclinations. So along with having an endless supply of hoopla audiobooks, I have finally let go of the petty resentment of being the ONLY one in my big family to walk our family dog. And that mental adjustment, to me, is as big a deal as walking 10,000 steps daily.
Getting back into meal prepping and dusting off my Jillian Michaels workout DVDs.
I am planning on improving my diet with the Thug Kitchen vegetarian cookbook in addition to training for a sprint triathlon. I have never been very good at long distance running but I am excited to try to improve my Cardio capabilities.
I’m trying to cut down on caffeine and junk food. Kind of hard around the holidays.
My plan is to move more – get out of the house and walk, or go to the gym with my brother. My company is starting a new insurance plan that gives decreases in your monthly premiums for healthy changes so I will be trying to achieve that! (those watches are beautiful, even before the function!)
I’m finally joining a gym! When I moved in the spring, I broke my health habits cycle, and it has been completely downhill from there. I find when I’m exercising I naturally eat better since I don’t want to waste all my efforts sweating it out. Hoping to stop treating my body as a human garbage disposal in the very near future.
I’m doing pilates 3 days a week and going hiking once a week.
Committing to my daily walks even when it is cold or dark or I’m tired. That seems to be when they are most beneficial.
I’m going to be better about doing my physical therapy exercises regularly and not stop as soon as I feel better, because then it just gets worse again.
I walk at least 2.5 miles daily. I’m considering starting swimming again next year. I loved swimming when I was growing up, but body/self-esteem issues caused me to refuse to do it once I got older. I think I’m finally back in a place where I can get past those issues.
I won free Tai Chi lessons this fall at the fair, and once I got into it I was hooked. It’s done so much to reduce stress and improve my balance and alertness, and many of the moves are defensive moves adapted from Kung Fu, so that helps in the self-defense area as well. I also need to start walking and hiking again, at least on the weekends; I got into the habit when hubby had his stroke and we walked nightly for his physical therapy, but I’ve slacked off now that he’s gone. Need to get off my butt as all this hiding indoors is not helpful for my depression.
My goal for self-care would be to get back into biking to work. It’s tough! and a little scary! But I feel soooo much better when I do it. 🙂
Use my WII Fit more
Want to add another bit of exercise to my life – so the “being reminded” aspect of the watch appeals to me. Working on adding nutritious recipes to the repertoire that the rest off the family will eat and that are appealing enough to replace other poor choices…
My plan for self care is to regularly practice yoga. My days are always off to a better start when I do.
Thanks!
Getting back to running! This fall has been Something Else.
I will be walking the crazy puppy every morning and evening. Soon. Maybe tomorrow. We both need it.
I will not let the short, gray days and abundance of deliciously unhealthy food undo the progress I’ve made in the past year. I’ve already registered for a St. Patrick’s Day 10K, to keep myself motivated to run (by which I mean jog with outbursts of walking) over the winter, and I’m getting back into weightlifting after a few months of desultory efforts.
I have not always been kind to my future self, but I have been working hard to turn that around. My plans for the holidays and the upcoming year are to go grocery shopping more often so I can make healthy meals at home instead of eating out all the time. I’m also going to go to bed at a regular time so future me is not dragging every morning.
For Christmas, I’ve asked for passes to various local yoga studios. Finally, something I’ll actually use and that’s good for me and the local economy!
I really fell off the wagon on healthy eating lately, and now I feel more blah and inflexible, so I am will be going back to smoothies made at home instead of leftover pumpkin pie for breakfast. (Ugh but pumpkin pie is so yum.)
I’ve been trying to remind myself not to shine the horror machine (a.k.a. Twitter on my phone) directly into my eyes right before I try to go to sleep, as that is the way to give myself restlessness and nightmares. I guess it’s been working about 50% of the time.
The things I’ve recently started doing and have been surprisingly effective:
– eat as much dried and fresh fruit as I want while ejecting refined sugar from my entire dwelling
– bought a pack of origami paper and every night I choose a sheet (lots of colors in the pack!), write down my Good Things list – which is nice things I noticed or happened to me or general appreciation, and then fold it into a paper crane
– every night I write a short encouraging letter to my tomorrow morning self 🙂
I need to restart knitting, which will help me put down the electronic devices while watching TV at night. Reduced Twitter use has to be healthy.
eating a healthier breakfast
I will be more active and try to do better with getting exercise regularly
I just got a pair of hiking boots so my goal is to increase my health & stamina and have those boots broken in prior to a trip to Yosemite planned for next May.