The FIFTH Day of Fitness...my heart rate monitor OBSESSION!

I have an obsession. I received it last year for Christmas, and it has changed my workouts completely! It's my Polar Heart Rate Monitor. I've seriously learned more about my body through wearing this during my regular workouts than ever before. I've learned my limits. I've pushed myself harder. I've gone longer. And did I mention that I'm obsessed?

Obsessed to the point that I feel nekkid without it. I thought I'd lost the part you strap across your chest for several days (there is a watch and a chest strap). I seriously had to convince myself that I was still burning calories without it; that the heart rate monitor itself didn't really change anything. Luckily I found it, so I could happily watch the numbers.

I love knowing exactly how many calories I've burned...which, by the way, is ALWAYS less (for me, anyway) than it says on the treadmill/elliptical/etc. I love knowing my maximum heart rate, and my average heart rate at the end of each workout. I love knowing how long I worked out (without watching the clock). And I love seeing my weekly totals. I'm so obsessed, in fact, that I wear my heart rate monitor no matter what workout I'm doing. I wear it for Yoga, Pilates, and even a walk around the block where the calorie expenditure is far from impressive. I just have to know. And I love comparing how I feel to what my body is actually doing.

I wish I could convince Polar-USA to give you all one. Maybe I should actually try. If you have anyone left on your list, however, this would be the perfect gift!

I do wish to direct your attention to ANOTHER could-be-my-next-obsession giveaway...you could win a Wii and a Wii Fit! Click here for contest details, and to enter! Make sure you enter by noon (Mountain Time) on December 20th!

What are your work-out obsessions? Is there something else we NEED to know about? Hit us up in the comments!