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 am trying out Home Chef so I can eat better. Instead of eating frozen dinners (my go to meal of late) I’m making my own food! So far, so good.
Making a conscious effort to eat better. My workplace has a lot of junk food around. It’s taking a lot of willpower to say no.
I’m going to be more active and try to start exercising more often.
I usually do fairly well with daily exercise and some healthy eating (moderated with less healthy indulgences), but it looks like my running partner will be taking a job in another state soon. I’m not sure how I’ll stay motivated, since the other runners I know are either way faster or like to run at ridiculous hours like first thing in the morning. 🙁 Sometimes it’s hard work just staying in the same place.
I’m trying to be more open and honest with my family this holiday season, instead of just telling them what I think they want to hear. I know this may be hard at times, but will help my future self and hopefully also improve my relationships with those I love.
Read my favorite romance while on the treadmill. Yes, and get more sleep!
To walk twice as fast when I go around the office.
I have switched to a mostly plant-based diet most of the time. With several fall birthdays followed by Thanksgiving, I had been eating more animal products than I find healthful, but now I’m back on track until Christmas. 🙂
I resolve to exercise more. I joined a brand new gym that opens in 10 days. I’m psyched!
I’m making an effort to balance my love of baking with my desire to eat healthily. Portion sizes and moderation have become my mantras when I step into the kitchen. But losing weight while still having delicious desserts? Priceless.
i eat vegetarian and try to workout on my lunch-breaks at work. i mostly succeed!
I’m working from home. I have a few calendar slots dedicated to MOVING. I find that I respect my calendar appointments better than my body – but I’ve made it work. While conferencing – cordless headphones are amazing. I’ll just go ahead with my stretching routine while listening to my colleagues – and if I sound a little breathless when I’m replying – that’s generally perceived as enthusiasm 🙂
I’m starting an exercise plan. Started with walking every morning and now I’m going to start a bit of running too! The dog lovers it
I would love to win the scale, as I am going to try even harder to lose some critical weight in 2017, as I have a medical issue that requires surgery that can realistically only be done if my BMI goes down, and that excellent scale would be a very helpful tool in this goal!
I’m trying to eat better and come up with an exercise plan that I’ll actually stick with. I’m also getting back into having a shrink and a therapist, whether I like it or not, because future me and current me both need it.
Walking the dog every day and doing my PT exercises so my back will continue to do all those things backs are supposed to do…
I am going to start getting enough sleep!
No (added) sugar or alcohol Monday through Thursday. I lost those last few post baby pounds, and I actually crave sugar less. It’s amazing to have the willpower to walk away from cake!
I really want to start hiking more in the new year. I feel like stepping away from the computer or phone for a few hours will do A LOT for my well-being!!
I am trying to make sure I take a little quiet time to myself to read, cross stitch, sew, or just relax and not think about all the things I need to get done. Some days I’m more successful at this than others, and I’m trying to be okay with that, too.
I will be making an effort to see my stitching friends several times a year.
I am planning on seeing my stitching friends at least once a month
Better meal planning!!
I’ve stopped eating meat for ethical reasons, but I haven’t been getting the protein I need–so adding more beans and nuts etc into my diet
Better meal planning!
I’ve got to figure out how to get more sleep. I’m going to go back to the treadmill since it’s winter and dreary. (I miss walking on a warm summer evening!) I’m drinking more water and cutting back on soft drinks. (Coca Cola, why do I love you so?)
I also pace around the house to meet my goal. It drives my dog crazy.
To close the bag of potato chips and walk away… I’ve been using Charity Miles when I walk, and I like the extra motivation it gives me to go an extra little bit: http://www.charitymiles.org/
Getting my butt to the gym more even if it means just to walk fast on the treadmill.
For the past two years I have been on an anxiety roller coaster- I’ll be on the verge of making a lifestyle change or exploring medication and it will get better. I’m on a down right now and past and present Lindsay know this won’t get better for future Lindsay unless I take some concrete steps to address. Going to explore what changes I need to make to improve!
Doubling all the recipes I make so I can portion them and put them in the freezer for the stressful days when I don’t have time to cook.
Plan to meditate on a daily basis and resume walking on a daily basis.
Plan to meditate and walk on a daily basis.
As soon as finals are over I’m giving myself 48 full hours of me-time. No phone calls, or Christmas shopping or planning, just reading, Netflixing, sleeping and eating.
bought a fitbit, doing challenges with friends and trying to excercise every morning.
Eating healthier, cooking healthier, moving more, doing my physical therapy exercises for stronger shoulders and back. And reading and writing for a happier, healthier soul!
I honestly find that most days when I get home from work I’m so mentally and physically exhausted that all I do is crawl into comfy clothes and settle in with a book or computer game and then try my best to not get out of bed again unless it’s for food or my daughter. I definitely need to modify this to be more active and productive around the house. I’m sure both my daughter and our dog would enjoy some extra cruising around the neighborhood.
Sleep! I am going to stop beating myself up for not being an early-riser and instead just embrace my wacky sleeping and writing schedules. If I sleep from 2 or 3 am to 9 or 10 am but actually get enough sleep, it counts and I need it and I will be kinder to myself when I wake up. (I’m also going to keep up with my Pilates, Zumba, Yoga regimen, and continue with the home cooking — perks of being a grad student.)
Yoga classes and meditation.
Getting out to exercise more, no matter what!
Im going to learn to be more comfortable in my own skin. Once I learn better self-worth, maybe then I’ll be happier to make myself better! Thanks!