Here's the part where I disclose to you that I actually gained a few pounds during my week in The Happiest Place on Earth. It may or may not have to do with the ridiculous amounts of wonderful food and drinks I consumed, including beer and wine from all over the world (when I say “world,” I of course mean the World Showcase in Epcot that showcases faux countries) and the ice cream I enjoyed at least twice a day. Can you blame me? Have you had a Mickey Bar? But, hey, clearly if I hadn't been walking everywhere for days on end, then I’m sure my waistline would’ve fared much worse.

Here's the thing about the Fitbit: It's kind of addicting. Last week, for example, I was almost as excited to see my final tally of steps at the day's end as I was to ride Tower of Terror. I was pumped to see the numbers climb higher than ever—past 20,000, up to 25,000.

In fact, when I didn't hit 20,000 steps at the end of one day, I went back outside the hotel and just aimlessly wandered around until I hit my goal. When I say I walked “aimlessly,” by the way, I mean I literally walked back and forth and in zigzag patterns across the same path and down the hotel hallways. I’m fairly confident bystanders either thought I was mentally impaired or just committed some kind of crime and was making a bizarre flee from the scene.

Throughout the week, I kept sneaking peeks at how many steps I’d taken throughout the day. And I always wanted more.

Fitbit likes to tell people that 10,000 steps daily (roughly five miles) is the “magic number.” (So does the American Heart Association, which uses the 10,000 steps metric as a guideline for improving health and decreasing risk of heart disease, the No. 1 killer of men and women in America.)

I won't lie to you: I’ve been very shy of hitting that number in my day-to-day life. In fact, it's been pretty embarrassing and a big wakeup call as to what kind of (inactive) life I’ve been living.

My day-to-day life driving to and from work and barely walking anywhere is pretty sad. My recent trips have actually helped me a great deal. In Boston, I walked 10,000-plus steps a day; in Las Vegas, I reached 20,000; and at Disney World, more than 25,000.

What has this personal fitness device taught me? That everyone can be more in control of their physical routine—and they can have some fun doing it. Every step counts. And of course, it's taught me that I need to take more vacations.

Though many people with such devices as the Fitbit can sync up with each other and compare and compete against one another, my challenge is personal. I just want to live a healthier, more active life. It's easy motivation, and I’d encourage anyone to try it.

Oh, and if you see some woman walking around like a crazy person in circles and diagonally, don't be frightened. It's only me. So come over and say hello.