Have you ever considered ditching the fitness tracking?
Interesting in the general mood of this - against a backdrop of growing apathy from technology in general, amongst many. With movements of people ditching smart phones - or social media - or 'news cycle'
Have you considered ditching all the 'tech and info' that comes along with fitness these days?
My history - early middle age. General fitness - nothing heroic. Just some running and lifting. Keep age at bay etc
Lifelong geek - and gadget-boy.
Have tried most of the fitness tech over the years: Apple/Garmin/Withings/Basis(!)/Muse/Oura/Whoop/Dreem etc
Tracked it all - weight, sleep, CAL, HRV, RHR, HR, 'stress', 'battery' and all the other dubious metrics.
What I am finding though is three things
- When I really think about all the data from all those devices....did any of become (god I hate this word) 'Actionable'?
Outside of weight - which actually prompted me not to stuff my face with cookies - and maybe Vo2Max nudging me to run more - not really. Nothing made me change my plans.
Sleep is I think the worst of these. We know its really not accurate at all. Once you have good hygiene and get a proper 8 hours - there is not much you can do to control your stages. Bad night? Yeah it happens. Also I can feel it. Do not need my watch to tell me
- Probably the biggest reason. Man I am tired. I never really realised how tired I am of it. Tracking, monitoring, worrying, measuring, googling. And when did it all become some anxious?
This has felt very similar to the same sort of 'anxiety creep' that has developed in other areas - like social media usage
Sure it was fun at the start. Fast forward a few years and I am weighing my cornflakes and doom-scrolling Star Trek Ships of the Line.
What the hell happened?
Bonus No3. I really am looking forward to wearing a normal watch again. Its has been several years! I ordered a vintage Casio - because 80s kid!
Anyway. Totally subjective. And tracking is great for many.
But man - I really am tired. Just going to run, lift and not eat like a walrus. Simples.