The problem for a lot of us is, if we don't have something visually or tactile to remind us to do something, it just never gets done.  Habits are something we do without even realizing it, but we didn't just wake up knowing how to do it, we practiced it or learned it even subconsciously, but still we started somewhere.

Habitwise is a company that was originally founded upon a weight loss tool called "A-Wrist-A-Trac" which was discovered by a team of clinicians at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in Omaha, Nebraska.  They have since branched out from just providing products for weight loss to products for water intake and soon to include fitness and comfort.

A simple concept really.  A set of bracelets for ladies and kids or poker type chips for the guys, enabling you to track how many calories, what types of food, or how much water you are drinking each day.

I was sent the "getWet" for Women, to try and review.  This was a perfect set up for me, as I am horrible at getting my daily water intake.  Honestly, there are days that I get no pure water intake at all.

The kit comes with 16 bracelets and a water intake plan.  The USDA recommends an "Adequate Intake" of 11.5 eight oz. servings.  That can be accomplished through water you drink and water you consume through water rich foods like fruits and vegetables.  The Habitwise plan has a couple of options to guide you on your way, either to load up 12 bracelets on one wrist to get your USDA AI, or by sticking with the "8 is Great" method, and starting with 8 bracelets on one wrist.  One bracelet = an 8 oz glass of water.

Since I am not one to conform (lol!), I sort of did this my own way.  When I was participating in a weight loss program 7 years ago, it was recommended that you drink half your weight in ounces each day.  As now I only weigh 90 some odd pounds (just to make you all not gasp at that figure I am only 4'9" tall), that would put me around 45 - 50 oz a day.  So I proceeded with my plan to just start with 6 bracelets.

So does it work?  I think so.  The first day, I did not drink all my water but I did get 3 glasses in, which as I said is generally more than usually gets past my lips.  The second day I was up to 4.  By the third day I had managed to move all 6 bracelets from my left wrist to my right wrist! Hooray.  The fourth day I added a 7th bracelet in the morning.  The fifth day, I sucked, I only drank 3 again.  But...the reason I think it works is;  I was continually aware by the fifth day, that I should be drinking that water.  My brain was telling me that I needed to go into the kitchen and fill up a glass or bottle and drink it.  I in my stubborness kept putting it off, and when I got ready for bed and took the bracelets off, I felt really guilty and told myself tomorrow I'd do better.  And I did!

This is still not a full blown habit for me, but as long as the bracelets are on, I have that visual reminder that I should be getting that water in, and that is the motivator for me to get it.

Habitwise also has a fundraising program, which you can view the details about here.   If you are looking to raise money for a cause and would like to use a healthy, motivating way, this program just might fit your organization.

I have one note about the bracelets in the women's get kits.  They are made on the stretchy elastic with tiny seed type beads.  Please be careful that you don't over stretch them or have young children play with them.  None of mine have broken (mind you I have not placed them under any duress), but if they should that is a lot of little beads scattered around for little ones to be inquisitive over.

Habitwise is kindly allowing one of my readers to receive a Get kit of their choice.  Visit Habitwise and tell me what kit you would choose.
For extra entries you can (please leave a new comment for each additional entry):

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This giveaway will end on October 18, 2009 at 11:59 pm cst and is opento U.S. Residents ages 18+. The winner will be chosen byrandom.org and will be e-mailed. The winner will have 48 hours torespond to the e-mail or an alternate winner will be chosen. Byentering this giveaway you are stating that you have read my **About Reviews and my Privacy/Rules statements and agree to them.