Creative Connections, By Sara Aeikens

Our family Christmas gift exchange this past year included a surprise item from my son. He gave me a present called a Fitbit, but I hardly knew what it was for, other than recording my physical activity. Inside a rather small box the size of my hand, I found a black band with a narrow rectangular electronic face. I put it around my left wrist to wear like a watch, although it kept track of lots more activities than my watch, my regular cellphone or my old pedometer.

My son showed me how to recharge it on my computer, which I’m inclined not to use very often. The instructions in the box dealt with issues other than specific activities, so I explored computer options and after a few hours learned how to use the various Fitbit programs and also how to find more information and follow more pathways on my computer. Time-wise, it’s five minutes slow, but I don’t know why yet.

When I finally decided to take my new toy out for a trial run, I worked hard to insert the silver prong into the very first hole for my narrow wrist. Since all three sections (top, bottom and strap holding the two together) are made of rubber, they like to stick to each other and do not move easily.  My computer told me I could replace it with a leather band, but I am still learning easier ways to put it on.

Even more challenging is to remember not only to charge it regularly, but to wear it each day. I’m a somewhat hesitant to add additional electrical magnetic fields (EMFs) around me, so I choose not to wear it while sleeping. It aids me in keeping a daily written record of my steps, which with spring now here I hope to reach the recommended 10,000 each day. I also like knowing my pulse rate, since I had heart surgery in 2015.

After getting accustomed to wearing my Fitbit, one cold day I wore an extra jacket with long sleeves over my turtleneck sweater. When I arrived home in the afternoon from exercises I noticed my Fitbit had disappeared from my wrist. I went back to the Albert Lea Family Y, the only other place I’d been, but to no avail. After a week of being on alert for it, I phoned my son to let him know I’d misplaced it, using those words in hopes it would eventually appear. 

During my very next visit to the Family Y, I shared my dilemma with a different attendant than usual. She immediately told me she planned on getting a new Fitbit and would give her old one to me without its charger. The next day I excitedly picked it up and hoped my charger at home would work with it. As an older model than mine, it did not work.

Out of frustration on that Friday snowy day, I flopped down into my comfy recliner to take a nap in the living room where my husband and I were relaxing. When I shook off my nap and decided to stand up, I spotted a strange-looking black object peeking out from the cushion of the swivel chair next to my husband.  I spontaneously let out a squeal of delight when I realized it was actually my lost Fitbit. 

Since I felt a bit guilty recalling leaving my expensive camera underneath my airplane seat a few years ago, I called my son and excitedly told him I’d found my Fitbit, the same day I’d been given another one, which I thankfully returned immediately. I am practicing to remember to take with me my purse and my hand-woven Guatemalan water bottle holder to help me break the misplacing cherished items habit. I do believe I am improving, with help from friends, and I am grateful for each time I remember.

With the help of my Fitbit, I am motivated each weekday morning around 7 a.m. to walk along Lakeview Boulevard. After a few health issues the past couple of years, I am gradually increasing my strength enough to set more lengthy goals and recently arrived at my destination of touching the Hatch Bridge brick columns. I am so glad the city has a bench there and recently noticed a park bench table nearby overlooking Fountain Lake for a peaceful view.

With a round trip time of just over an hour, somehow the trip back doesn’t seem as difficult. Two sisters enthusiastically cross paths with me almost daily. I get regular encouragement from nonretired friends just before 8 a.m. They share honks, waves or even a ride on a motorcycle or a truck ride if it is raining. Mostly though, they share a bit of joy for me to pass along during the rest of the day. I believe this is helping me become a bit more fit.

Sara Aeikens is an Albert Lea resident.