Step Up to Health With Omron HJ-005

I got a new gadget that I wasn't planning to buy anytime soon.  But "clumsy" me forgot to take out the credit card from my wallet and the temptation turned into an "indulgence."  I'm not a chronic impulse buyer but I just had the strong feeling last Sunday that it's a good time to finally buy my own pedometer.  Hahaha! Besides, it's already past the cut off date for my billing cycle so I have time to save for until April when I have to pay for the gadget.  

Anyway, I was trying out my Omron HJ-005 since yesterday.  So far, I am happy with it.  It has the basic function of counting steps and a way to adjust the sensitivity to plus or minus a number of steps.  I am not really that obsessed with getting the accuracy right to the dot.  I simply needed a way to count my daily steps.  That's it.  I didn't get the more expensive model that tells you how many calories were burned. The simpler the gadget, the better.  Well, here's my new "toy"

What I like about my new pedometer is that it's small compared to other models that look like bulky stopwatches or timers.  This one is just as long as my pinkie finger (and I have a relatively small hand).  It doesn't bulk up when I clip it on my belt.  The clip is really sturdy and won't fall off easily, but for added security, I put a short lanyard.  The best part is that it has a cover so one would not accidentally push the reset button.  Basically, you just clip it and walk away.  Nice huh? 

So I guess it's time to hand over the Pokewalker back to my nephews. Good bye Bellsprout.  It was nice walking with you for more than a month.

Omron Blood Pressure Home Monitor

Having a blood pressure home monitor is a good health investment for those who constantly need to monitor their blood pressure. A couple of years ago, I have bought one for my mom so she doesn't have to go to my cousin's house everyday to have her blood pressure checked.  I bought her the wrist type.  It seems she's not using it that much and I figured she probably wants the visit to my cousin better. Hahaha!  Well, at least she gets some exercise walking back and forth.  Anyway, I didn't take back the BP monitor although I was contemplating on it because now I have to monitor my own blood pressure having been diagnosed with essential hypertension.  

A few months back, I make my daily trips to the company dispensary just to have my blood pressure taken.  When the nurse uses the analogue type, I get good readings, at least not going over 120/90 mm Hg.  Then I have to manually get my pulse or heart rate.  Sometimes when the doctor is there, he's the one who checks my blood pressure using the digital type monitor.  And it is a puzzle to me that whenever he uses that, my blood pressure goes high at 140/100 mm Hg.  Although I don't feel nervous or jittery, I am beginning to think I may have a white-coat syndrome after all (even if the doctor doesn't wear his white coat hahaha!)