#FitIt Challenge: I'm Preparing For A 5K Marathon And Boy Was Week One A Tough One! I Blame The Partying
Running against the backdrop of snow-capped peaks of the Kanchenjunga painted on clear blue skies, rocky terrains, pine trees and clean air are vivid memories I cherish till date. Those days of studying in a boarding school in Darjeeling were perhaps some of the best days of my life. As a young boy, I was a sports enthusiast and used to run at least 10-12 kilometres every day to get set for a big event. But as school finished, so did the habits.
Fitbit
Life started taking shape after I moved to Delhi. In the company of new friends, I took to new habits. Late night partying, and copious amounts of smoking took the centre stage in my life as I bid goodbye to good health.
The challenge
Last week, the team that I work for was looking for volunteers to participate in a challenge that involved fitness. I volunteered and happily took it up, becoming a representative of HealthMeUp. The best part of the challenge is that I¡¯ve been pitted against two competitors, Akshay from MensXp and Shewali from Indiatimes.
The first step
I was given the Fitbit Flex 2, a simple everyday gadget that helped me make small but meaningful changes to my lifestyle. Not only does the Fitbit app help me keep track of how much physical activity I perform, but it also helps me monitor my diet through the food and liquid I consume, which is an essential part of my new found routine.
Fitbit
I beat them all
After using Fitbit, I realised that the number of steps I walk during the day is quite significant. 21st December was the second day with it, and I did 23,960 steps which is equivalent to 16.51 kilometres. This is not the only feature it has. It also shows me the minutes I have walked - 220 minutes to be precise.
Fitbit
This is not the end of the distance I have walked so far. Yesterday, Fitbit themselves congratulated me via an email. On an encouraging note, I managed to earn the marathon badge (42 kilometres) in a matter of a few days. My fellow competitors should take note of this stat!
The targets
Now I have set an agenda for myself. A run beyond 3 kilometres is when I start facing issues. My left leg starts to lose its strength and my whole body weight automatically gets transferred to my right. I am unable to run long distances after that. I hope I¡¯ll be able to sort this issue out with frequent running because my run is within a month's time. Yes, I'm going to run and beat the shit out of my fellow competitors, and I know I can do it.
Fitbit
This device has also helped me understand my sleep patterns and improve my sleeping habits, like going to bed at the same time every day or waking up early. This was the biggest change, and it made me more energetic and focused. It is amazing how knowing small things about your body can help in such significant ways.
With the app monitoring my entire routine, I am slowly beginning to get back to my running schedule. I am back to running almost at the same pace as before, already, and I am starting to understand how to work towards a plan to run a race.
Food for thought
Fitbit
Keeping a check on the food that I eat is not my thing. The entire concept is alien to me. I eat what I like, and I don't eat what I don¡¯t. This is one habit that I don¡¯t intend to change.
Except for a healthy breakfast.
Fitbit
A lack of activity during the weekend has also taken a toll on my stamina. Last weekend I barely managed 9000 steps. Consistency and pace are two very important things to win a marathon. I need to build on this and my goal for the coming weekend, so I'm currently saying no to lazy weekends.
BEST OF LUCK AKSHAY AND SHEWALI!
