I stopped wearing my Garmin fitness tracking watch after my serious knee injury. I couldn’t walk more than a couple of thousand steps a day and it hurt to be reminded of it. I’m back up there now often logging more 10,000 steps. Thanks knee brace! But I never got back in the habit of counting steps with a watch.
The thing is though my phone also counts steps thru Google Fit. It’s not as accurate because I don’t always have my phone (believe it or not) but who cares. I still get my free movies. What free movies? Free movies through the Carrot app.
Mallory has written about it approvingly. So too has Cate.
It received a big financial boost from the Ontario government last spring, 1.5 million dollars. We’ve just had a provincial election and my bet is that the new government won’t be so fond of fitness boosting measures. We’ll see,
Here’s what Wikipedia has to say about it: “Carrot Rewards is a mobile app for residents of three Canadian provinces, allowing users to complete health questionnaires and track steps in exchange for rewards points.[1] The app is developed by Toronto-based Carrot Insights, a certified B corporation founded in 2015.[2] The app was first launched in British Columbia during March 2016, followed by Newfoundland and Labrador during June 2016 and Ontario during February 2017.[3] Users can choose during sign-up whether they want Aeroplan, Scene, Petro-Points, More Rewards or Drop rewards points.[4] Survey points are paid for by the organization which created the survey and step points are paid for by the provincial government where the user lives.[5] Carrot Rewards has also partnered with Heart & Stroke, Diabetes Canada and YMCA Canada.[6] The app was later expanded to include surveys on energy conservation and financial literacy.[7]“
What I like best about the Carrot app is that you don’t need to do anything. You just let your phone count steps and enable sharing between whatever step counting app your phone is using and the Carrot app. In my case it’s not particularly motivational. I just do what I do and collect the free movie coupons. But while waiting in line I’ve done some of the health quizzes and it’s all pretty good moderate messaging. You know, get some exercise, eat your vegetables, sleep 8 hours a night, etc.
Yesterday I got a free movie with popcorn notification. Think I’ll go see Deadpool 2. Late to the party, I know. I’ll report back.
Send movie recommendations my way!
Do you use the Carrot app? Love it, hate it? Tell me your story.
(Oh, and you don’t have to collect the Scene points. There are other rewards. I like the free movies because they are quick to earn.)
Have you seen Isle of Dogs? I’m not a big Wes Anderson fan, but the stop action animation is superb, and I love the dogs (of course). Convoluted plot, but visually compelling.