“It’s addicting — but a good kind of addicting.”

That’s how a friend described his Fitbit to me before talking me into buying one. While addicting, the little black wrist band has more importantly it’s gotten me thinking — thinking about what I eat and what I do to stay active.

Like many people, I sit at a desk for work and often think of ease and speed before nutrition when it comes to lunches. But a funny thing happened when I bought my Fitbit — it gave me a way to track my daily activity and food intake in a way that’s remarkably simple, offering up a chance to wear my conscience on my sleeve — or more specifically, my wrist.

It’s like a little fitness and activity buddy, which helps you make a better choice.

I’ll admit I was hesitant to buy my Fitbit Charge. In a way, it felt like a gimmick or something I should be embarrassed about. In fact, I ran into someone I know when I was standing in line and waiting for the clerk to retrieve my Fitbit from a locked case.

“Buying a Fitbit?” she asked.

“A friend recommended it,” I said, trying to pass the blame. “I thought I’d try it.”

As if sensing my apprehension, she pulled back her coat sleeve to reveal a Fitbit on her wrist.

Despite my initial skepticism, its funny how quickly I became obsessed with the little black wristband. For those unfamiliar with them, Fitbits are — in simple terms — fancy pedometers. The charge acts a bit like a watch, with a screen that is black when idle, but it will reveal time/date, number of steps walked, miles walked, calories burned and flights of stairs climbed.

The same data is available on your smartphone or computer app, which syncs to the device. But you can also track your calorie intake — the app features a wide search engine — and you can track water intake, exercise and more. Compared to other models, the Fitbit Charge is relatively basic. Several models track your heartbeat and use GPS technology to track your walks and runs and bike rides.

Is it accurate beyond all doubt? Absolutely not. But it’s motivation.

Most casual people don’t need to get that technical or even accurate, we’ll leave it to the fitness buffs. Though I’ve been a YMCA member since 2010, I’m far from a fitness freak. I’ve got to fight to stay motivated to go work out — and to find the time.

For me — and I’m guess most casual fitness folks — Fitbits and similar devices thrive not on accuracy, but on giving you a little extra incentive and motivation.

The dang thing truly is addicting. Since buying it, I’ve watched my steps and planned walks over lunch to meet my daily goals. I even walked back and forth in my kitchen one night just before midnight to get the last few steps to surpass the next thousand mark.

And when you track your calorie intake, you think twice before going back for seconds or snacking on that doughnut in the work break-room.

On most days, it’s the embodiment of my conscience on my wrist. On bad days, it’s the little black box reminding me of the wreckage of my day.

There are countless online tools, apps and Fitbit-like devices out there. With most of them, you get what you put into it. But it’s nice to have the extra help in meeting fitness and nutrition goals.