Recently I’ve been trying to get a bit more healthy and start walking more. At the same time I wanted to have something to monitor my progress and to challenge me to do a bit more every day. There are many sport watches, like the new Fitbit Charge 4 watch, that help to count your steps, heart rate, calories and a lot more.
If you are deciding which Fitbit sports watch to buy, review first all the different functions and specifications to make sure you get the one that suits you best. This handy online guide compares all the different functions, so check it here before you make a purchase.
Our health insurance company offers Healthy Lifestyle Discounts if we complete certain activities. They offer rebates on our insurance premiums that are tax-free and can reduce the amount of our annual premium by up to $1,000 per adult.
It takes work to meet the goals, and it isn’t all or nothing. It’s divided into three parts, and you receive a set rebate amount for each activity you complete.
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First, we have to do a wellness survey. It asks for basic health information, mental health questions, etc. Next, we need to have an annual wellness exam and Biometric Screening (blood work) done, to check our blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, etc.
Finally, if you don’t meet specific guidelines in all areas, they want you to do regular calls with a health coach, to help you be as healthy as possible, and to make improvements in your overall health.
At the end of the specified timeline, you must show a pre-determined improvement in one area to earn this rebate. This year, they’ve added a Step to be Fit program that you can do as an alternative to the Health Coach program.
This will run for a few months, and you must meet a minimum daily step count each day to earn the discount.
When my partners at Verizon Wireless offered me a choice of products to test during the first quarter of the year, I asked for a Fitbit Blaze to use for the duration of the Step to be Fit program, and they were happy to send me one!
Previously, I have been using a Fitbit Zip that I really like, but it’s small and doesn’t record all of the information that I need for this challenge. I received the Fitbit Blaze in the mail last week from Verizon.
When I opened the box, it needed to be charged, so I plugged it into the USB port on my laptop to charge while I let it update, and set up the other features on my phone using the Fitbit App.
Once it was set up and fully charged, I Synced it with our health insurance wellness site so they can begin to monitor my steps and physical activities. I want to make sure it’s all working according to plan, before the official start of the Step to be Fit program launches in February.
I’ll be sharing more about the features of the Fitbit Blaze, and my progress, as the program progresses!
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Hope this post inspires you and of course, I’d love to know what you think! Let me know in the comments below or find me on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter and add the hashtag #practicalfrugality so that I can see your post.
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Magdalena
Interesting gadget. Not for me.
This is such a nice and high quality fit-bit. I liked your review on the Blaze. I am considering buying one of these.
I think Fitbits are so awesome and helpful. I would love to get one someday.
I really want a Fitbit!
I am trying to eat better and exercise more. It is so difficult for me. Sigh. Good luck with your challenge. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you. Happy February!
I have a fitbit and it tells me how many steps I walk and how I sleep. Trying to be more active and eat better.
I’ve been thinking about getting some kind of activity tracker. I think it would encourage me to be more active.
This would be awesome to have. I thought insurance would jump on this. Keep us healthier to avoid the high cost of being ill. I know it would help me, I am super competitive, so having something to make sure I am hitting a certain goal would be helpful.
The Fitbit Blaze looks really nice, and how wonderful that your insurance company offers discounts for participating in health programs 🙂 Looking forward to reading about you & the Step to be Fit program.
I love my FitBit Alta. It is small but it gives me step count, mileage, active time, and more. I got mine around this time last year and I am amazed at how many steps I take in a day, especially a normal day at work (usually between 10k and 12k!). It is awesome that you get that incentive; I wish my insurance did.
My husband has been wanting a fitness tracker device. Thanks for the thoughtful review. I will have to check this out.
I like that this looks just like a watch and so great that your insurance does that. Wish mine did. Ok I keep trying to submit but it says its a duplicate comment
I like that this looks just like a watch and so great that your insurance does that. Wish mine did.
I like that this looks just like a watch
How awesome that you can sync it to your wellness site! I bought my daughter a Fitbit last Christmas, and she loves it.
I have an Apple Watch but my husband loves his fitbit!
I think Fitbits are so neat! Thanks for sharing.
That’s a great incentive to get get discounts on your health insurance! Definitely a win-win! I would to try the FitBlaze out as well!
I always wonder if the Fitbit things actually work… but not sure if I want anyone other than a doctor monitoring anything, however…
I definitely could use this to help me keep track and reminder so I stay on track and not go off the edge into a bag of chips.. I love the way this one works.
@tisonlyme143
It’s nice that your insurance offers the option for discounts, and how convenient to be able to upload data right to them!