As I write this , I ’ m wearing my FitBit . In fact , for the past six months , nothing comes between my FitBit and me , although this article is not a product endorsement . Because Tory Burch had recently collaborated with FitBit , it was my chance to wear a Tory Burch designer bracelet and a FitBit all in one fell swoop . Naturally , I have nicknamed my FitBit ‘ Tory .’

So what is this bit of fit that has me so captivated ? Tory is a tiny , physical activity tracking device that pairs with a website and an app , wirelessly uploading activity data to provide me with an easy-to-understand visualization of my daily activity patterns . Tory sits in a fashionable rubber bracelet on my left ( non-dominant ) hand . When I reach my daily goal of 10,000 steps , Tory buzzes , alerting me that I have ‘ nailed it ,’ and in turn , I get a surge of excitement and self-fulfillment . I have come to know that 10,000 steps amounts to a little more than 5 km for someone my size — 5 ’ 3 ’’. Not much really ! I no longer imagine NOT hitting my mark of 10,000 steps per day .

Tory is a highly evolved cousin of the pedometer of the yesteryear and does more than just track steps . My favourite feature is the number of ‘ active minutes ’ logged per day . While the 10,000 mark is the baseline motivator , achieving twenty to thirty active minutes per day fits my wellness philosophy in a more evidence-based fashion than the number of steps . Another health-related feature is sleep data collection . Should I choose to enter my bedtime and waking time , Tory alerts me about the quality of my sleep .

Tory has become quite a motivational tool — not to mention a topic of conversation between patients and co-workers alike at the clinics I attend . I leave my house and circle the neighbourhood , or pace the airport rather than sit in the waiting area , or ( gasp !) walk to work — all in pursuit of the tingle of the Tory buzz marking my daily accomplishment . For a person who is obsessive to begin with , Tory , my trusted FitBit Flex , has become my personal trainer , perpetually egging me on .

Numerous activity trackers have hit the Canadian market in the past two years . Like the FitBit , almost all cost between $ 99 and $ 199 . If you are shopping for your first activity tracker , I encourage you to look for one that will best fit your needs . The Garmin Vivofit has a neat activity bar that shows whether you ’ ve been sitting for too long . The water-resistant Nike + FuelBand SE aims to improve calorie burn by allowing you to log different types of workout sessions ( such as yoga or weightlifting ). And if you ’ re looking for a tracker that also incorporates GPS monitoring , the Microsoft Band may be for you .

Getting into shape , losing weight , and meeting daily exercise goals are tough . An activity tracker can help . Becoming more mindful about your present level of activity is the first step to getting fit . As I often hear myself say in the clinic , “ Every little ‘ bit ’ helps .”

Chandel Lovig is a pharmacist practicing in a Primary Care Network in Southern Alberta . She works in family physician offices helping patients and health care professionals alike tackle the daily task of medication management . Chandel can be reached at chandel . lovig @ palliserpcn . ca

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