Need to count your steps during the day? There’s an app for that. Counting calories? There’s one for that. Want to run a 5 or 10k? One for that too. You get the idea. Apps–where would we be without them?
While I agree apps make life convenient, they don’t tell us the whole story. No, to get that, we have to invest a little more time than pressing a button. I know, that sounds terribly archaic. Yet believe it or not, there’s something to be said for putting forth a little more effort than required for a download. Let me explain.
WANT IT? WRITE IT
There’s something to be said for writing down what you want. Not sure why it works, but more often than not, it does. Recently, a “wish list surfaced of what my next job would encompass. With the exception of 2 items, my last job entailed exactly what I’d written.
I’m sure you’re familiar with food diaries. Yes, you can easily track and input your intake with an app. Does that app however, do your grocery shopping for you? Of course not. This you must do for yourself; or have someone do it for you. You see, there’s more to battling the bulge than punching up a key. It requires something called due diligence. If you are doing the shopping, you now have to think about what you’re buying; becoming physically and mentally engaged. You may even have to make a second stop, to get what you want. That’s due diligence.
Back to food diaries. Most of us think about writing what we’ve eaten, after we’ve eaten it. However, if you write down what you’re planning to eat, before you eat it, now you’ve something to work with. This simple step may save you more than a few hundred calories; it can save you grief, frustration with your weight, time, AND money. Much more so, than inputting it into food diary app. Both hold you accountable; true enough. However writing it for most implies more accountability. Why? Who knows. But there is something manually articulate about writing vs. typing in data. Perhaps it just goes with the effort, and the ink.
LET’S TRY THAT ON FOR SIZE
You’ve been holding on to those ultra skinny designer jeans. You know the ones; that pair that has seen two or three fashion trends come and go. You’ve decided today is the day. Time to try them on. You’re semi-confident–you noticed your clothes are fitting a little looser, and perhaps you’ve had to downsize on a few items. Now the moment of truth. You slide on one leg, then the other. You wiggle them up and over your hips. First hurdle down. Now for the second; time to go for the button, then the zip. Button closed, with maximal exertion. Zipper? No way. Exhausted, you take a seat. As you do, the button which took you 30 seconds to close, pops off in less than two. Sound somewhat familiar?
So where’s the app for that?
Yes, apps make our lives easier. That’s their purpose. But there are some things you must feel, maneuver, get in and get your hands dirty. Or as in our last scenario, get in, but not all the way. No app can take the place of that.
The next time you’re confronted with the all too familiar phrase, “there’s got to be an app for that,” take a moment. Take two. Perhaps you’ll even respond “I’m sure there is. But I think I’ll take a pass.”
All for now. Keep up and keep at it.
Questions? Comments? Contact me at serrenity.c@gmail.com
LIFE TRAINING WITH CRYSTAL 
To me, WRITING something down is a much more conscience act that you’ll follow up on. With an app, it’s too easy to punch in numbers and notes, and thus easy too forget. “If you do something slowly, you’ll forget it slowly.” don’t know who said it, but it makes sense.