Having a Fit over Fit Bit

Julie got us Fit Bits for Christmas last year.  It was intended to inspire us to keep fit, like we need some constant reminder about how many steps we have taken each day.  In fact, it has become a constant source of disappointment and frustration. The trouble started when Pete "buddied" up with us so we could all compare our weekly steps against one another.  It seemed like a great idea at the time and I honestly thought it would motivate Pete to get out and get some exercise.  What seemed like a good idea at the time has turned into a nightmare.  Each week I get a summary of my, Julie's and Pete's total steps for the week and without many exceptions, Pete is the step "winner" by a long shot.  How can that possibly be?  We are runners, Pete is not.  When he works out, he is with us going the same distances.  We should be kicking his butt!

I have studied this phenomenon for months looking for some glitch or trick that may be causing this obvious mistake.  Here is what I discovered...  Costco has a sale on toilet paper...you know, 30 rolls!!!  Well, you are limited to one massive block of toilet paper per customer.  That is obviously not enough for someone who invests in toilet paper futures so Pete buys his block of 30, walks to the car, returns for his next block of 30, walks to the car and so on until he has accumulated 6 of the blocks for a total of 180 rolls, keep in mind there are only two people in their home.  OK, toilet paper consumption aside, this walking adds up!  Then you have the six trips to the car just to get out of the driveway.  Keys?  Wallet?  Phone? Coupons (toilet paper)? Shirt?  Shoes?  Many of us would, A. Learn from previous mistakes and think about what we need so one trip to the car is sufficient, B. Discover we had forgotten the keys and think, what else should I get before going back to the car?  Or, just keep walking out, discovering something else is missing and going back specifically for that item, repeating this process over and over again.  More Step accumulation!  On a recent road trip, we were at a standstill while they escorted vehicles past the construction.  Pete took this as an opportunity to walk quite a ways away from the car in order to take care of "business" while pretending to enjoy the flora and fauna.  Once that was complete he walks over to talk with some truckers, a motorcycle gang, kids on skateboards, a dog and a bush.  All the while I'm thinking of the steps he is accumulating while I have to wait in traffic in the event it is our turn to go.  I did vow to leave him if he was not back, but as always, he timed his last step perfectly to arrive just as we were ready to go.

If this was not bad enough, we take the same hike, cover the same distance and compare steps and he is ahead, way ahead on steps!  How can that be?!  Frustrated, I walked behind him counting his steps against mine.  The Fit Bit is right.  Here is the problem, his stride is probably normal for a strapping 5 foot 5 inch man.  My stride is considerably longer meaning fewer comparable steps over the same distance.  20 percent fewer to be exact!  I can't possibly win this competition.  Yes, it is a competition, life is a competition!

I have given up trying to beat Pete, but can't help but cringe each week when our Buddy summary arrives.  Now that I think of it, he is killing us on toilet paper consumption too!

Make no mistake, this is a Step Machine.  Don't ask me to explain the rest....