Fitbit or no fitbit?
Replies
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I think it would be interesting to have one (I work for Amazon as a picker, so I'm easily walking over 13 miles a day) but I wouldn't necessarily have it as a crutch on calories burned. I don't eat back calories in the first place so the benefit of that is kind of lost on me. It seriously depends on the person and their goals.
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I have had a One since 2013, and I have managed not to ever lose it. I clip it to my bra and it stays put, so it can be done. I may be in the minority, though.
I also had my very first and current Fitbit One since 2013. Still functions well, and still is the best fit for me out of all the new ones. I don't like a tracker that I'd have to wear on my wrist. I wear mine on my pocket. And I can wear it on the inside tank/shirt or bra if I wear a dress. Never had issues except minor sync issues when I can't connect to the net or I lose signal. I like the challenges. I'm so used to it and I'm satisfied so far.
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Using a Fitbit Charge HR is useful in that its built-in heart rate monitor allows it to sample your HR all day long and get a reasonably accurate total for calories burned. I find that aspect of it quite useful, and honestly, I think I'll be wearing *something* that will do that for me for the rest of my life. I like to know!
Here's the bad news. 1. Fitbit is pretty bad at product design and manufacturing. Every single person I know who uses a Fitbit One or similar (clip-on style) has lost at least one. I lost two before I gave up on them. I then wore a Fitbit Charge (non-HR) and lost two of *them* because of the idiotic band design. Gave up. Finally decided I'd give them one more try and bought a Charge HR. My first one began to fall apart (delaminate) after six months. I'm on a replacement sent to me by Fitbit, but this is the last Fitbit device I'll ever wear. I'm done giving them chances. 2. The Fitbit-MFP integration is, or can be, a s**tshow. Missing calories. Duplicate calories. Periods where it just doesn't work at all. And if I do the calculations manually using Fitbit's own data compared with my resting metabolic rate, the numbers MFP reports never, ever match. I've given up on relying on the numbers in MFP as being accurate and just use them as a rough guide. Each morning, I look up my Fitbit calories burned from the day before, subtract my RMR, and enter that into a spreadsheet I keep.
So, yes, having a fitness tracker—preferably one with an all-day HR monitor—is a great thing. Fitbit + MFP is a pain in the rear. I don't know how much of the software issues are MFP, so I don't know how much this would improve by going to a different brand of tracker.
I've had two Ones and used them daily for a couple years (the first one went through the wash/dryer twice before it bit the dust, which was not Fitbit's fault but mine) and I've never lost it or had any issues with it at all.
The integration has also worked pretty much flawlessly since day one, not spreadsheet or manual calculations required. Following its recommendations has given me precisely the correct number of maintenance calories for months now, whether I'm sedentary for a week or ramping up my half-marathon training.
Just wanted to offer the counter-perspective, as my Fitbit has been enormously helpful in letting me feel comfortable eating enough to sustain my activity and improve my running.
This has been my experience as well. Except for "one"day where MyFitnessPal website was having data issues, my Fitbit has synced with MFP immaculately for the last 8 months. I love mine and I had no problems with it :-)0 -
beemerphile1 wrote: »Activity trackers (Fitbit, et al) are a fad. They are totally unnecessary as proven by the billions of people that have never owned one.
Unnecessary to lose weight is true but if they are a fad how do you explain how long these have been around, since Fitbits are basically high tech versions of them?
edit: I have a Flex and carry it in my pants pocket since the strap broke.
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Needachange84 wrote: »I don't know what I would do without my fitbit. I started with the flex and upgraded to the Charge HR. It definitely helps me push myself harder! I love that you can have competitions with friends which also makes it more fun!
Ditto. It definitely motivates me.0 -
I just got a fitbit for valentine's day and it is my new favourite toy. I acknowledge it is a completely unnecessary toy, but that's ok with me!0
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I think I'm on my third Fitbit One: with priors suffering casualties to the washing machine/dryer and another one fell off. Fitbit as a company is awesome; they provided a replacement despite the fact the user was defective
and not the product.
I was very excited to purchase the Charge HR in hopes that I could eliminate the use of a HRM strap for my workouts. I find them uncomfortable. However, I did have a few issues with the Charge-HR: (1) minor skin irritation at initial use even after following cleansing instructions; (2) the HR function did not seem consistent with my HRM strap; (3) the Charge-HR will register steps from arm movement which inflated my "step" count. As a result, I now only use my HR to record my sleep as I did not like sleep in the Fitbit One. I will probably re-gift the HR as I'm not fully sold on it (or wrist-based heart rate monitors)
I use the One to provide approximation of daily steps taken. For accuraay, I (reluctantly) prefer the HRM chest strap to the Charge HR activity tracker.0 -
TheBeachgod wrote: »beemerphile1 wrote: »Activity trackers (Fitbit, et al) are a fad. They are totally unnecessary as proven by the billions of people that have never owned one.
Unnecessary to lose weight is true but if they are a fad how do you explain how long these have been around, since Fitbits are basically high tech versions of them?
edit: I have a Flex and carry it in my pants pocket since the strap broke.
You are probably one of the few people that realize these "fitness trackers" are just a high tech pedometer.0 -
beemerphile1 wrote: »TheBeachgod wrote: »beemerphile1 wrote: »Activity trackers (Fitbit, et al) are a fad. They are totally unnecessary as proven by the billions of people that have never owned one.
Unnecessary to lose weight is true but if they are a fad how do you explain how long these have been around, since Fitbits are basically high tech versions of them?
edit: I have a Flex and carry it in my pants pocket since the strap broke.
You are probably one of the few people that realize these "fitness trackers" are just a high tech pedometer.
It counts steps. What else could people possibly think that they are?0 -
I had the most successful weight loss experience using my Fitbit Charge HR and MFP. I've never had any problems with the meshing of the two, in fact, that is what finally allowed me to loose weight. It seems I was starving myself by trying to stick to 1400 calories a day. My trainer said to eat 2250 but that was too much. My fitbit tailored my calorie needs based on my activity/expenditure and there was the ticket to weight loss for me! LOVE IT! Wish I could afford a waterproof one for swimming!0
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sarahmichelef wrote: »I find the fitbit to be motivating and I've had better success with the combination of the two than either one by itself.
+1 i love my fitbit charge hr, it really motivates me. the real question is, will it be worth it for you to purchase it. only you can answer that. and I have had mine break and they are replacing it for me for free. fitbit has the best customer service too.0 -
beemerphile1 wrote: »TheBeachgod wrote: »beemerphile1 wrote: »
You are probably one of the few people that realize these "fitness trackers" are just a high tech pedometer.
I haven't known anyone who seems to think they are something other than that. What do you think people think they are?0 -
sault_girl wrote: »I haven't known anyone who seems to think they are something other than that. What do you think people think they are?
A magic panacea for weight loss and fitness.0 -
beemerphile1 wrote: »sault_girl wrote: »I haven't known anyone who seems to think they are something other than that. What do you think people think they are?
A magic panacea great TOOL for weight loss and fitness.
FIFY
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I really like mine,, anyone is welcome to add me ...username: mcardoza1480@gmail.com0
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beemerphile1 wrote: »sault_girl wrote: »I haven't known anyone who seems to think they are something other than that. What do you think people think they are?
A magic panacea for weight loss and fitness.
Really? I think most people buy them thinking that by keeping tabs on how much they are moving/walking/exercising, they will be more motivated to stick with it, work harder, and improve. For some it will work, for some it won't. Some people will get frustrated with the technology if it doesn't work well, or they can't figure it out. Some will find it more hassle than it's worth. And some will find it a useful tool which does, in fact, motivate them.
I can't say for sure which category I will fall into, yet, time will tell.0 -
Fancy pedometer or not, my fitbit has motivated from being a sedentary sloth averaging 2000-4000 steps a day to over 20,000 a day. Seeing the kms increase along side the calories burned is a massive motivator!!0
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To the OP
I never used any fitness tracker and I have been in maintenance for more than 5 years. I don't care for gadgets, I am OCD enough on my own.
I guess that all depends in your goals and needs. If you need one for motivation, go for it. If it gives you incentive to workout and move more, go for it. You are the only one that can judge if the gadget is worthy or not.
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no thanks, the wristband ones are TOO expensive for me. I now have the pumpkin Bluetooth v4.0 and I love it. It was WAY cheaper and it works great. does distance, steps, etc plus it has a sleep tracker. I wasn't going to waste over $100 just for that.0
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Christine_72 wrote: »Fancy pedometer or not, my fitbit has motivated from being a sedentary sloth averaging 2000-4000 steps a day to over 20,000 a day. Seeing the kms increase along side the calories burned is a massive motivator!!
That's great! How long have you been using yours for?0 -
sault_girl wrote: »Christine_72 wrote: »Fancy pedometer or not, my fitbit has motivated from being a sedentary sloth averaging 2000-4000 steps a day to over 20,000 a day. Seeing the kms increase along side the calories burned is a massive motivator!!
That's great! How long have you been using yours for?
March 28th 2015, so nearly a year . I'm walking as I'm typing this
holly_roman wrote: »no thanks, the wristband ones are TOO expensive for me. I now have the pumpkin Bluetooth v4.0 and I love it. It was WAY cheaper and it works great. does distance, steps, etc plus it has a sleep tracker. I wasn't going to waste over $100 just for that.
Yeah, my fitbit zip cost a whole $80, best investment ever!. I think they're only around $50 in the U.S
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I'm taking my ChargeHR to the gym right now to add some steps and burn.
Makin' my OCD work for me!0 -
I discovered that my cell phone, a Samsung S4, had "S Health" on it last May. I started letting it track my steps, and have been incredibly motivated by this. I can see how a Fitbit would help, but I think pretty much any pedometer would have the same effect, including models you can pick up for $10 or so, or a free/cheap app on a phone.
I'm a little sad when I see/hear people say "I'd love a Fitbit to motivate me to move more but I can't afford one". I want to shake them. Expensive toys are fun but definitely not necessary to pursue fitness for most of us.0 -
sault_girl wrote: »beemerphile1 wrote: »sault_girl wrote: »I haven't known anyone who seems to think they are something other than that. What do you think people think they are?
A magic panacea for weight loss and fitness.
Really? I think most people buy them thinking that by keeping tabs on how much they are moving/walking/exercising, they will be more motivated to stick with it, work harder, and improve. For some it will work, for some it won't. Some people will get frustrated with the technology if it doesn't work well, or they can't figure it out. Some will find it more hassle than it's worth. And some will find it a useful tool which does, in fact, motivate them.
I can't say for sure which category I will fall into, yet, time will tell.
You have a much higher regard for the masses than I do. What you say may be true within the confines of the people posting on a health and fitness forum but not the general public.
The general public are the ones that buy diet books, DVDs, cleanses, magic pills, and other products in search of magic. I would wager that 50% of the fitness trackers purchased in December are tossed in a drawer and forgotten by June.
A fitness tracker is a tool and so is a hammer. One can buy a hammer but that won't get a house built. The person has to take action and a fitness tracker is not necessary for taking action. All one has to do is get off their butt and start moving, however for many that is asking too much.0 -
I have had lots of different fitbits over the years. I continue to wear one (I am using the charge HR now). I find that although I exercise intensely 3x per week, I can be very very inactive on the other days. The fitbit gets me up and I do try to make that arbitrary 10,000 step goal everyday. I find that doesn't happen without intentionally going for a walk.
I am using the charge hr because I do crossfit and step counting didn't really reflect my workouts very well. There is tons of stuff about whether the hr is accurate. It is good enough for me. I'm always just looking to up my game, not capture my calorie burn down to the last bite of chocolate cake
I find the sync between fb and mfp is ok. Sometimes it is slow. I pretty much know after this long what my limits are going to be for the day to with 100 or 200 calories at most. I do like logging my food on the mfp ap on my phone.0 -
beemerphile1 wrote: »sault_girl wrote: »beemerphile1 wrote: »sault_girl wrote: »I haven't known anyone who seems to think they are something other than that. What do you think people think they are?
A magic panacea for weight loss and fitness.
Really? I think most people buy them thinking that by keeping tabs on how much they are moving/walking/exercising, they will be more motivated to stick with it, work harder, and improve. For some it will work, for some it won't. Some people will get frustrated with the technology if it doesn't work well, or they can't figure it out. Some will find it more hassle than it's worth. And some will find it a useful tool which does, in fact, motivate them.
I can't say for sure which category I will fall into, yet, time will tell.
You have a much higher regard for the masses than I do. What you say may be true within the confines of the people posting on a health and fitness forum but not the general public.
The general public are the ones that buy diet books, DVDs, cleanses, magic pills, and other products in search of magic. I would wager that 50% of the fitness trackers purchased in December are tossed in a drawer and forgotten by June.
A fitness tracker is a tool and so is a hammer. One can buy a hammer but that won't get a house built. The person has to take action and a fitness tracker is not necessary for taking action. All one has to do is get off their butt and start moving, however for many that is asking too much.
lol, i generally "regard the masses" as plenty of stupid but usually with good intentions.0 -
i love my fitbit surge. I love the challenges as well as the fact that I don't have to wear a strap across my chest to monitor my heart rate. The added bonus is I can see who is calling and texting without having to look at my phone while Im exercising.0
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See that is the problem. Wearing any kind of fitness tracker means that you have to wear a gadget all the time. It is either a chest strap, a watch on your wrist, a band, something hooked to your body, whatever. Then if you are in MFP you have to sync "that" thing to the database; so bottom line you are always hooked to some kind of electronic stuff; and some people are unable to function without their guidance.
I don't wear a watch much, most of the time I don't know where my cell phone is, and if I take it to the gym I leave it inside my gym bag because I don't want to be bother with calls or texts (very few people has my cell # anyway); I am there to workout. I have been a gym rat for several years and I never needed to record or watch numbers in a electronic device to be and stay fit. So I think that we are taking technology too far and we are getting too attached to external devices and that probably in my opinion, is not healthy. But to each its own.0 -
I don't have a cell phone (well I have a 9 year old flip phone that I carry for emergencies) and the fitbit has simply replaced my watch.
@Gisel2015 , no one "needs" to record these things in an electronic device to stay fit. Just like no one "needs" to go to the gym to stay fit.0 -
Is a fitbit magic? NO, but they very helpful to those of us seeking out certain data. The TDEE calculation is extremely helpful in the maintenance phase, and as I and others have said the daily step counts is a constant reminder that our daily movements influence our daily burn significantly.0
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