please give advice on fitbit one vs other wt loss tools

beckyjeanleemaddox

I'm interested in buying something like a fitbitone for tracking exercise etc. Any thoughts on that? Pros and Cons on other ones? I can spend up to $200.oo

pattykaye33

I would be interested in hearing about this too.

deedeeh21

I am interested in hearing this answer as well!!!! I like options )

lindsey1979

I have one of the Body Media armbands and I love it. I bought it a while ago from Costco when it came with a free year of web service as well (otherwise it's like $7/month or something). I don't know what deals they have on them now, but they're generally a little over $100 on amazon.

I also understand that they work with MFP too, though I keep mine separate as I'd already started there and have a lot of custom foods already inputted.

They're not great for all exercises. For example, can't wear it in the water or doesn't get very good readings at hot yoga. I also don't wear it when I drive or mow the lawn because it thinks the slow speed of either the riding lawn mower or sitting in traffic is me jogging. But, for the other exercises I do, it's great (which is mostly walking, weight lifting and hills sprints). It also seems to keep a good number on my general activity level.

I really dig the numbers and graphs it does, so if you can afford it, I'd highly recommend it.

sunshine1082

I've had my Fitbit One for about two weeks now, and I love it. I live in San Francisco and do a lot of walking, and I wanted something that would account for all the steep hills I climb every day. It's only meant to account for step-based activities though, so any non-step based activities need to be recorded manually. Fitbit syncs really easily with MFP. I do not have any experience with other devices, so I can't do a comparison. I chose Fitbit because several of my family members have one, and we are able to compete with each other to see who gets the most steps. One of my cousins can be pretty competitive, and I've been really motivated to get out and move more so I can beat her

evileen99

I also have the BodyMedia armband, and it's the most accurate of all the fitness monitors; the others are sort of high-tech pedometers and the armband looks at things like sweat production and skin temperature to calculate your calorie burn. The downside is that a lot of people don't like it because it's visible on your arm (doesn't bother me). They were having a promo that new customers got a year of online subscription free, but I don't know if it's still going on. Your basic armband is $99.

beckyjeanleemaddox

Thanks for your post!!!!

CindyB97

I have had a Jawbone UP24 since the beginning of the year and I love it! You cannot see your stats on the actual wrist band but it syncs wirelessly with your iPhone or Android phone (the UP24 model syncs wirelessly, the UP model requires you to hook it up to your phone) so your stats are there to look at anytime you want. It tracks your sleep. It has an alarm feature to wake you up in the morning if you want. There is also an idle alert that you can set for 30 minutes, an hour, or whatever you want; when you are idle for that length of time, it vibrates to remind you to get up and move. It also gives you challenges every so often (like "get to bed earlier tonight" or "try to hit 12k steps today", things like that).

I love the idea of any activity monitor. I think the real value, whether or not they are 100% accurate, is in how they motivate you to move. If I am just shy of my step goal for the day, I'll walk up and down the stairs a few times, or cruise the basement, or just about anything to get more activity so I hit my goal.

It was a little hard getting used to wearing it for the first couple days because I'm not used to wearing anything (watch, jewelry, etc.) but now I can't imagine not wearing it. I take it off for swimming and showering and that's it.

carolann_22

Unless you swim or spin a lot, I would get the BodyMedia armband. Fitbit is ok, but it has it's limitations. I had the BodyMedia for five years and loved it. I like the Fitbit, just don't love it.

kelleybean1

If you get the BodyMedia armband get the link NOT the core! They screwed up the algorithms on the core and it over estimates calorie burns--close to 500 calls a day for me. I ditched my account because of this. I loved the accuracy and the way it accounts for the after-burn with weight training, but, it sure is ugly to wear on your arm, especially during the summer months. I'm using my old fitbit now. It's pretty close to being accurate, and it doesn't show with clothing.

FireOpalCO

I love my FitBit and part of it is the interface of the website. I love getting my green smiley faces on my tiles at the end of the day.

Nedra19455

I can't compare to any others, but I love my Fitbit One! I find it to be very accurate and it syncs so well with MFP. I can eat a lot more calories and still lose (so far...only been at this a few weeks) because MFP knows how much I am burning. I typically get 200-600 "bonus calories" a day from my Fitbit. No logging, they just appear. I eat just about whatever I get and always feel like I've eaten just the right amount for my level of activity.

LongIsland27itl

I just purchased a fitbit one to mess around with and see if he calories burned were on track with some of the calculators I've been using, and it's pretty on point. Sometimes a little over or under, but it averages out just fine. I' chose the one over he flex because I can't wear that thing on my wrist every day.

12bfree

My wife and I both have fitbit flex. We've had them four months and only take them off to charge. They work as advertised. They claim to be water resistant but we have not had them in the water. I thought it was a good deal for the price. She uses a toshiba and I have a mac and they sync fine with either computer. They sync fine with our iPads as well. They are very slim in comparison to other models I've used in the past. I think it's a good product.

redwoodkestrel

I think it really depends on what type of exercise you're planning on doing most often. I have the Fitbit Zip and absolutely love it, since it accurately tracks the walking and running I do for exercise, plus lets me know how much I'm generally moving around during the day. All of the graphs and charts plus weekly stats you get through Fitbit are also stellar. I'm 100% motivated every day now to get at least 10,000 steps!

However, if you think you'll burn most of your calories through activities that aren't step-based (cycling, yoga, weight training, etc), then the Fitbit is not the right device for you - you'll likely want a heart rate monitor to get an accurate estimate of calorie burn.

ErinMcMom

I have the Fitbit Zip and it's hands down the best money I've ever spent on a fitness device (possibly any techy device!)
It tracks my movement throughout the day and syncs effortlessly to MFP. I use my "Fitbit calories" for extra snacks.
Since I got the Zip a couple of months ago I've gone from an average of 5k steps per day to 20k steps per day! I love fitting extra movement into my everyday activities and watching my name climb my friend leaderboard.
The interface is super user friendly and encouraging, I can't say enough good things about it.
If I somehow lost it tomorrow I would run immediately to the nearest store and buy another one.

elyanta

I have been using the fitbit one since February and I am a big fan. I walk a lot around campus and get a lot of steps from eliptical or treadmill workouts. I wish it worked with cycling as well. I cant compair it to other devices but I read that the calorie burn estimates are about the same. I mainly got the fitbit one for keeping track of my activity during the day and to help me stay more active on the weekends. I had been thinking about trying out the body media but I don't want to pay for the monthly subscription unless I really need help getting the last half of my weight off. Overall if u need help moving more or just want to track how much you walk and at what time of day you do the fitbit is great. If u want accurate all day calorie burn information the body media may be more of what you are looking for. From what I gather the body media uses heart rate to calculate calories burned and the fitbit uses your bmr + activity it records.

Bukawww

I have the BodyMedia Core and don't find that it calculates too many calories...My BMR is 1800 or so and a fairly lazy day shows me about a 2200-2300 burn...fairly lazy for me is chasing a 2yr old all day long, taking 3 others to school, never sitting down and making soap for my business. If anything, I think it underestimates which is fine by me lol.

zoeysasha37

Bump I'm also interested

lizcc13

I have a fitbit flex and I love it. I wear it on my wrist or if I want to hide it I place it in my pocket. It keeps excellent track of how much I walk and it also sync nicely with MFP.

beckyjeanleemaddox

Thanks Guys for all the posts!!!!!! I'm pretty new at this fitness thing and any comments and posts are greatly appreciated. Plus a few friends out there are interested also.

dawnie1313

FITBIT ONE vs BODY MEDIA:

Thought I would jump in here too. I have owned both and I REALLY loved the science and the numbers I got with Body Media. However, after spending so much money my band stopped working after two years. I was very disappointed.

I got a FITBIT ONE for Christmas and I love how simple it is and how effortlessly it syncs with MFP. But. I am starting to question the numbers it is giving me. Or maybe I am just not understanding it all.

The FITBIT One seems to focus solely on steps. Doesnt take into account heart rate, or any other movements. I have worn my FITBIT every day since Christmas. But yesterday it made me mad. I went to the gym yesterday did 30 minutes of cardio on the Arc Trainer, followed by 15 mintues of arm weights. Then last night the hsuband and I rode our bikes 2.5 miles mostly uphill...And my fit bit calorie adjustment for the day was only 208. 88 calories for the bike ride and 120 for the exercise...Huh?????

Seriously considering going to the FLEX or back to Body Media.

FireOpalCO

Dawnie,

For non-step activities (swimming, weight training, elliptical) you're supposed to log into the website and record the activity manually and it will estimate what you would have burned and add it in. Did you do that?

(Go to the "log" across the top of your webpage, go to the "activities" tab, and then scroll down to "log activities" type into search bar and go from there.)

/edited for glaring grammar error.

andielyn

Can't speak to them personally (I have a Polar HRM) but read this very good article in the latest issue of Fitness Magazine:

http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/gear/reviews/wearable-tech-gadgets/

*edit* Ok, I looked at the link after posting this and the online article is bare bones compared to the paper and ebook edition. If you can access either of those it's worth a look. Had a nice table of what your goals were and which one best suited those needs, and explored the use of these tools much more than this online article.

Plumpossum

I have the Bodymedia Core armband and I love it! I've worn it daily for three weeks now and have lost three pounds. I find it really motivating to try and meet my activity goals with it.

Part of the reason I bought an arm band is because I'm nursing and when I used online calculators, it was giving me 500 extra calories a day to eat. I found with the arm band that I'm only burning an extra 200 or so, and making adjustments for this has helped me get back on track.

If I were to buy a new one, I'd switch to one that syncs wirelessly (like the Bodymedia Link which uses bluetooth) because I like to check my tracker throughout the day. I have the digital display for the Core armband, but now that I have the info, I want ALL THE INFO.

Minnikka

I have the Jawbone Up 24. I use MFP for all my calorie tracking, and I wear the band 24 hours a day. My phone is an Android (Samsung Galaxy Note.) First I'm a swimmer, and mostly I'm a scuba diver. There is a company called Waterfi that takes existing name brand gear, and waterproofs it. I've been SO happy with my UP 24!! It sincs well to everything.

I highly recommend it. MFP is better in many ways - but Jawbone UP *helps* with making subtle lifestyle changes. A little nudge, a little encouragement - and it helps wake you up when you're not in REM!

If anyone has the Jawbone UP 24, and or is a swimmer/diver - Please friend me. :-) I'm kind-of flying solo on MFP...

ahoier

I've been wanting to get one......but yes, I've been concerned how it would react while driving.....lol. I drive a lot through the city......25-50 MPH......and have heard it will get stuck thinking you're actually exercising, when you are in fact sitting in a moving car......lol.

So currently, the only thing I use is a cheap "Crane" brand HRM +watch I picked up from ALDI Food Market for like 25$.....works great for my gym work outs, turn it on when I enter the gym, shut it off afterward

melissajane83

I had a Nike Fuel band and I loved it until it stopped charging. Now I have a fitbit. I like my fitbit better because I change out the bands to match what I am wearing plus it is more comfortable and it syncs with my phone. When I had my Nike Fuel band I had an android and it did not sync with it.

beckyjeanleemaddox

thanks all for the comments!!! I really appreciate it and so does few of my friends.

StaciMarie1974

Put the One on my Christmas wish list, and I am down about 25 pounds in the past 4 months. Its not a magic device but has become a way for me to be accountable to myself (and others) about my activity level. I use it with an app (Pact, available for Android or Iphone) in which I commit to doing a certain # of healthy activities a week. If I meet my goals, I make a few $ each week. If I don't - I pay based on the $ I've committed. (Those who meet their goals split the pot, so to say, from those who don't.) Its a good motivator as I do NOT want to pay.

The Fitbit is a great device but any basic pedometer could work in the same manner. Use it to gauge an activity level and then challenge yourself to be more active. I think Omron makes good pedometers for less $ than a Fitbit. But the Fitbit syncs wirelessly, connects with MFP (MFP food database is better), and logs my history online automatically. Plus there is a community feature where you can add Fitbit-friends and compete to move up your leaderboard.

My husband uses a pedometer app on his phone. What works for one person may not be suitable for another.

rm33064

I love my fitbit one. I just slip it in my pocket every day, set MFP to sedentary and it seamlessly tracks my calorie expenditure throughout the day. The more active you are, the more calories MFP gIves you to eat. It's pretty accurate too as the amount of weight I lose say in a week or a month matches up to the amount of calories MFP says I was in deficit during that time. I've had zero problems with it whatsoever. I even accidentally ran the thing through the washer and dryer twice with no damage. I have a bunch of family and friends on fitbit too which is great because it ranks you against them by number of steps which will really get you off your butt if you are a competitive person like I am. I urge you to check out some of the 6000 reviews on amazon to get an idea of how good it is and how great the company is too, they really stand behind their products. FYI a new wrist worn model is supposedly coming out soon which is supposed to have some new features.