DEAR HARRIETTE: My sister and I got fitness bracelets and connected to each other to keep ourselves motivated. It's weird, but it is working. If I see that she is out there stepping, I definitely feel like I had better get up off my butt and do something. In that way, it is good. She and I have always been close and encouraging of one another. We don't have that sibling rivalry stuff going on. On the other hand, it feels like one more way for me to be competitive in my life. When I'm at work, I feel like I am constantly trying to prove myself to somebody, and the pressure is intense. While I do want to get fit, I am beginning to feel like this whole tracking thing is going to make me nuts. How can I stay the course without feeling overwhelmed? -- Keep It Together, Cincinnati
DEAR KEEP IT TOGETHER: Rather than thinking of your fitness tracking alongside your sister as competition, consider it as inspiration. You want to be healthy and fit, so it is smart that you have chosen a means to keep you interested in taking care of yourself on a daily basis.
Since you and your sister are close, talk to her about your feelings. Express your desire to keep up your fitness regimen and to track with her, but admit that it feels like too much to handle sometimes. Having a workout buddy you can talk to can be incredibly helpful in staying the course. Finally, you don't have to look at what she is doing all the time. Just do you. Your body will thank you for it.