Stepping to Sleeping: rewards for healthy living!

When hubs got his new phone, Verizon also offered us 2 Fitbits with the deal, that we now use daily - I've told the silly tale of how we have step contests during commercial breaks. A few weeks later, Maxwell Health sent me a Jawbone UP to 'up the ante' - haha get it?! ((rolls my own eyes)) These two lovely health-driven devices not both measure steps taken throughout the day, very pedometer-like. The difference with the UP is that it also measures your sleep patterns when you adjust the modes on it as well - monitoring light and deep sleep and how long you take to fall asleep!

Wait a second? Who is Maxwell Health?

Nothing is more important than being healthy, and it takes more than great insurance to stay that way. The choices you make every day—whether to exercise, what to eat for dinner, when to schedule your next doctor's visit—have the potential to improve your health and lower health care costs. That's why we built Maxwell: to combine the protection of insurance with everyday support to help you make healthy choices.

Maxwell is the first company to pair the highest quality health plans in the country with world-class wellness services and technology. Your Maxwell membership includes medical and dental insurance, fitness and nutrition coaching, physician recommendations, claims advice, a health and fitness tracker, and rewards for activity. You can depend on Maxwell to bring together all the resources you need to manage your health in one place, with round-the-clock professional support just an e-mail or phone call away.

* All members receive their choice of a Fitbit Zip or Jawbone UP, and they hook their fitness tracker into the Maxwell Health mobile app to track activity in exchange for rewards!

* Each day, the steps members take are translated into points. For every 100 steps, members earn 1 point. One coin is earned after 500 points. Coins are the currency used to redeem for rewards in the Rewards Store: options include Amazon, Best Buy, Bliss Spa, iTunes, Starbucks, and Toys ‘R Us.

* Wellness program members are connected with a health coach who designs a unique plan tailored to each member’s specific goals, exercise and eating preferences. Coaches interact with members by phone, email, or text message, to keep them motivated and provide tips based on their wellness plan and goals. All coaches are certified by Wellcoaches School of Coaching and have undergone rigorous training.

* The Wellness program also provides members with a newsletter, health updates from Cleveland Clinic, and other information to ensure they are maximizing their health care investment.

My Fitbit a.k.a. Omar

My UP: I named him Blue

So, what am I doing?

Wearing both devices and compare what I find as if I were a Maxwell Health member & see how many rewards I'd earn!

So far, I have to say I dig the Fitbit. It's neat, easy, convenient. I, however, feel that the steps are a bit off (only because it goes off of height/weight and the UP seems to give me more a day) and doesn't stay on your wrist. Hubs has been overheard many times during the day saying "Dangit! I forgot to put on my Fitbit!" as I snicker in the corner. The UP stays on your wrist and since it's waterproof, you tend to forget it's there.

My initial review of the Fitbit would be that it's geared more towards someone starting out on their fitness journey. Someone who wants to start tracking their steps so that they have a baseline of how many they normally take and then work to get more by going on walks and being more active vs. sedentary. I still think it's an awesome fitness device, but do have a favorite already ;)

I'll be doing an overall review of both products including a comparison in about a month of how I did with my activity! ;) Then, I can see how I could be rewarded through Maxwell Health based on my overall health!Maxwell Health launches nationally this week, so be sure to check out their website for more tidbits of info and find out how you can be rewarded for your healthy habits!

Oh and by the way: Kris, Hubs, and myself have been trying out a new Crossfit Box!

We've been taking their week on on-ramp courses & I like it! I'm learning so much more about form! Kris and hubs are loving the higher intensity shorter workouts too! I'll be talking about it more once I start taking classes next week!

His and hers Brooks Green Silence ready for the WOD

Do you use a pedometer/fitness gadget to measure your workouts?

Would you enjoy being REWARDED for your healthy habits instead of health issues being looked at?