You know how I am an over-thinker and let my brain think way harder about things than it really should? Well, my BodyMedia is making it pretty apparent that this is a problem. Brittany, stop thinking and just sleep. I am really anal about getting to bed by 8:45 [yes, you read that right, 8:45!] so that I can get up at 4:45 every morning. Before getting my Bodymedia device, I thought this was a perfect plan, 8 hours, and I'm good. Well, clearly I am in fact only getting 6 hours of sleep! 6! How am I even functioning. I have always been someone that needs 8 hours of sleep, so seeing that I am really only getting 6 quality hours was really shocking.
When you expand the sleep duration section of the dashboard, it gives you a graph showing when you slept, then when you hover over it, it show either "laying down" or "sleeping" so that you can see when you are getting quality sleep. Not only am I not falling asleep until about 45 minutes after I lay down, but I wake up 10+ more times per night! I think this has to do a lot with my constantly racing brain and my inability to just shut it off. I'm tempted to let B wear my band for a day because I guarantee you his sleep efficiency number is very close to 100%. I need to get on his level.
Why does sleep even matter you ask? Well, during sleep is actually when your muscles repair themselves and grow. Additionally, lack of sleep can cause increase cortisol levels and a decrease in glucose and insulin sensitivity. Of course, none of these things are good when you're in the muscle building or fat reduction game, so shoot for your 8 hours! [says the girl who gets 6 hours of sleep per night]. I'm really hoping to see this number go up by the end of the 6 weeks, but I'm not sure what else I can do... maybe get in bed at 6pm?
Kidding.
BodyMedia FIT automatically tracks the calories burned during your daily activities — from pumping iron to using aniron — and monitors the quality of your sleep, an important factor in weight loss. Add in the easy-to-use food log and you have the information you need to improve your weight loss. Our 3 part system includes:
1. An Armband that automatically captures data
2. An optional Display device or free downloadable mobile apps that give you up-to-the-minute readings throughout the day
3. An online Activity Manager* that analyzes raw data, allows you to log food and presents info in an easy-tounderstand way(*subscription required)
“Disclosure: Device and accompanying online Activity Manager subscription was provided by BodyMedia viaEmpowHER. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions orpositions of BodyMedia or EmpowHER.”
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Thanks for sharing!
Rosa
February 14, 2012 - 8:08amThis Comment