The REAL Health Number That Matters

New Year Resolutions always focus on health. But this year, it’s not about weight loss. Here’s The REAL Health Number That Matters to Me. This post is sponsored by Nokia Health. All healthy-focused opinions are my own.

The REAL Health Number That Matters to Me

Moms, let’s admit it. We are vain creatures. How many times do you let out a groan when you step up on the scale, try to secretly squeeze into those pre-pregnancy jeans, or strike a bathing suit pose in front of your bathroom mirror? I admit, there are days when vanity gets the best of me too. So when the new year rolls around, every mom is concentrated on the health number game.

Yeah, I see you there, health resolutions. We vow to drop 10 pounds, eat less calories, decrease our BMI percentages and shed dress sizes. These are the health numbers that we focus so hard on. But after a few weeks we feel even more stressed, desperately reaching to mold our perfect past bodies into our seemingly imperfect jiggly-tummy present. Busy days get even busier. Tired days get even more tired. And those shrinking waistlines? They seem more like a fantasy than an actual obtainable goal. Can I get another groan?

But here’s the thing. Are you ready for this?

My kids won’t remember what number I had on the scale today. They won’t file my waist measurement in their brains or carry around my dress size like a weight around their necks. They won’t even know how many abs appear when I suck in (it’s ONE most days, TWO on my best days – in case you were wondering). The health number games that we obsess over as moms? Our kids don’t care about those. They care about us playing with them at the beach (even in our one piece). They care about the day that we ran with them at the playground for hours. They care about us being in the moment WITH them.

I only get one life to be their mom. I only get one heart to beat for them. And this heart runs fast. My resting heart rate in the 80s can instantly climb to the 120s under stress (Moms who are stressed? Unheard of, right?). That’s daily. A faster heart rate is not concerning right now, but it can be. Oh, and I have that “X” factor. I’m adopted. I don’t know my family’s medical history. I’m unsure if there’s cancer or diabetes or heart disease running through my genes. My health could be a walking time bomb; I just don’t know.

But here’s what I do know. I only get one chance to live a life with a healthy heart – so I can be 100% the mom I need to be. I have two kids who are counting on that. So while I started 2018 with lofty health number goals for me, my goals have shifted. I put away my weight goal. I trashed the new pants size goal. Instead, I’m focusing on my one heart and keeping that health number healthy.

Tracking my heart’s health meant getting the right tool for 2018. Insert the Nokia Steel HR. It’s kind of ironic that the company that provided my first cell phone would be the one for my first wearable device as well. Not only is the Nokia Steel HR a beautiful accessory to wear all day whether I’m working out or going on a date night (Even comes in rose gold, y’all! You can customize colors!), this wearable device has all of the amazing features to track my heart’s health:

• Tracks heart rate throughout the day – gives instant readings and is capable to continuously track heart rate while you workout
• Tracks calories burned, steps, distance
• Tracks sleep cycles
• Recognizes 10+ activities and sports
• Everything is easily tracked through the FREE Health Mate app – customized to your needs
• Motivates – optimizes your workouts, logs your food intake, encourages you to reach your daily goals
• Water resistant up to 50m – so you can keep on swimming, showering or do dishes without worries.
• Long battery life – up to 25 days between charges.

I get accurate heart rate tracking throughout my day, even on command. I can count my steps, track calories burned, log my workouts, get continuous heart rate readings while I exercise, even see how much “good” sleep I’m getting. And everything is tracked, stored and easily obtained with the FREE Nokia Health Mate app. I can compare days, make new goals, even set timers and alerts. And using Bluetooth capabilities, I can sync my Nokia Steel HR to my phone to get incoming calls, messages and calendar alerts too. Pretty sweet. And with the long battery life (I can go up to 25 days between charges), I won’t miss a beat (beat – get it?) with my busy lifestyle.

But more than just a cool device, this heart rate and activity watch is my visible reminder every day to be the mom I need to be. It’s my reminder to take that extra deep breath when my kids are driving me crazy. It’s my reminder to walk a few hundred extra steps with them, hand in hand. It’s my reminder to get the sleep I need so I have energy to be with them the next day.

Having one healthy heart means that I have more heart to love my kids. That’s the health number that they care about. And that’s the one I care about too. It’s not your pants size or weight or arm circumference that your kids will remember, it’s how much you LOVED them with your heart. My new year’s goal is to keep mine healthy, for them. The Nokia Steel HR is helping me to stay healthy, with the health number that really matters.

What new year goals are you making for 2018? How are you keeping your heart healthy?

Be sure to follow Raising Whasians via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube for more of my healthy journey, real family moments and honest mom stories.

Looking for more healthy tips? Try these: