Anyone Tried Fitbit yet?

kgool

This thing looks really interesting and does a lot for the price. Website is fitbit dot com (cannot remember if links are allowed).

I would probably just lose the darn thing, but wanted to see if anyone was using one and had feedback.

Thanks,

1113cw

Yep.. I have one and LOVE it to pieces!! I feel naked without it and now get mad if I forget to put it on. I wanted something simple, realitively affordable that would help me track my daily activities as well as my workouts and miles (running) and this fit the bill perfectly!

Onesnap

You're better off with a pedometer from New Balance or similar brand. You'll save $$. Just make sure to do 7,000 steps/day (not the 10,000 suggested by weight watchers). 7,000 is the number from the time you get up to the time you go to bed and is accomplished by adding a 1/2 hour walk to your normal day! The CDC recommends 7,000 not 10,000. Don't waste your extra $ on a Fitbit.

bzmom

bump

pearlof69

I wonder if that is like the Fitbug we have in the UK which looks pretty impressive but the cost puts me off.

jmmtaylor

Interested in finding out more! Every pedometer I have gotten does NOT track my steps accurately at all. I'd take 20 steps and the stupid thing would say that I took like 9 (yes, I measured the stride length the way it said to and wore it right). I like the fact that it tracks your sleep habits too! Would be interesting to see what they are now and what they will be when hubby gets home. LOL. He snores!

kgool

Thanks, I am using the Virgin Healthmiles pedometer now and I am way over 7,000, but I probably need to not wear it when I do my treadmill workouts, I am probably skewing the number. I don't see the fitbit as being that expensive though for all you get and am still considering it. What I hate is having to update two websites, the Virgin Healthmiles website and this one. Now if MFP would partner with a pedomoter/healthtracking device company that would be perfect.

scottb81

I use it and like it a lot. http://www.fitbit.com/user/224BSC. It provides a very good running estimate throughout the day as to how active you have been. It also provides me with some extra motivation not to slack off.

crystal10584

You're better off with a pedometer from New Balance or similar brand. You'll save $$. Just make sure to do 7,000 steps/day (not the 10,000 suggested by weight watchers). 7,000 is the number from the time you get up to the time you go to bed and is accomplished by adding a 1/2 hour walk to your normal day! The CDC recommends 7,000 not 10,000. Don't waste your extra $ on a Fitbit.

It's more like a bodybugg, it' monitors calories burned as well. and sleep.

bzmom

Im sorry to jump in with a question rather than a comment but does it track work out? and if so will it tell you how many calories a specific workout burned or does it just tell you the whole calories burned total in a day?

kgool

No problem bzmom, more questions are appreciated.

1113cw

It tracks calories all day long. I usually take a peak at it when I get on the treadmill and then again when I'm done to calculate calories. It's fairly accurate. Keep in mind its designed for runners/walkers and basic motion. It can't track calories for activities such as cycling and obviously not swimming. They have a neat web interface too. I log my food here on MFP still but enter the total on the FitBit site as well so I can see calories in vs. out. They have an online community too just like here but I haven't really ventured on it.

epj78

I love mine and no chance of losing it because it literally goes from outfit to outfit with me and is only off when I'm in the shower or swimming. I bought a podemeter leash for it so it won't take an accidental plunge into the toilet or fall off. It's saved it a few times.

I really like mine better than a pedometer for a few reasons:

1. Tracks my "very active" minutes (jogging, jumping, etc)
2. Has stop/start function for individual workouts --- but for things that aren't step based you enter in similiar to MFP - it doesn't give you a calorie reading like an HRM does (will give the calorie count for a workout - just not based on HR). I find it is VERY close to my HRM for my step based workouts (even aerobics).
3. Uploads to a website - I'm a gadget geek
4. Gives calories burned the entire day which makes me more active throughout the day.
5. Sleep tracker - just like to see it - so I know if I'm getting my 8 hours that is suggested for optimal weight loss

If you are just getting it for step count --- yeah, I'd go with a pedometer. If you already have an HRM and are strapped for money, I'd probably go for a cheap pedometer just to make sure I get extra steps in. But, if you don't have an HRM or if you have some extra money --- I'd definitely purchase the FitBit again. I like it more the longer I have it!!