Fit Bits and Shape Up Sketchers

Sarah044217

Hi All:

Does anyone have any feedback on using FitBits? Do they really help your weight loss? How about the sketcher shape up shoes which are supposed to tone your legs while you walk? Any feedback would be great, I hate wasting money on gimmicks.

LosingLizard

As for the Sketcher Shape Ups, I will say this - I could feel it in my thighs the first day or so that I wore them. After that, they felt like normal shoes. But they are the most COMFORTABLE shoes I've ever owned. If I want to walk long distances, I pull these bad boys out. I spent 5 hours touring Manhattan in these, as well as 4 days in Vegas walking several miles per day. Long day shopping - no problem. Touring the zoo - no problem.

I cannot attest to their fitness function, but they are the best shoes I ever bought and I wear them regularly.

TwtyMami35

I have had 3 pairs of Shape Ups. Not impressed. They are fashionable, but as far as "really working", save your money.

_Ben

Hi All:

Does anyone have any feedback on using FitBits? Do they really help your weight loss? How about the sketcher shape up shoes which are supposed to tone your legs while you walk? Any feedback would be great, I hate wasting money on gimmicks.

Shapeups are currently being investigated by the better business bureau for false advertising. I wouldnt recommend them.


I am using a fit bit, been doing so for about a week now. I think the thing it helps with the most is making you realize how active you really are in a day. I realized that on days that I work, Im pretty active, but on my off days, Im VERY sedentary. Encourages me to get up and move around, go for a walk, just to keep active.

SalishSea

I would love to have a fitbit. But don't know if it will be compatible with my iPad 1. I don't use my computer very often.

****Does anyone know if the fitbit will load tracked data onto the fitbit website via the iPad?

As for the ShapeUps. Definitely not worthwhile.

Sarah044217

If your Ipad has internet access to myfitnesspal, I saw a page here where you sink the fit bit with MFP....I don't know if that helps or not.

Sarah044217

Thanks everyone, I appreciate it! FitBit seems cool, I dunno if I wanna spend 100 for something to tell me to move more. BUT, tracking caloric deficit with accuracy is a worthwhile investment...esp because we always overestimate how many caloires we burn and underestimate how many we eat.

MarchelleLynne

Great question, I just seen the fitbit in the tools and was fairly interested. I think I will save some money to buy one of these!!

IronSmasher

Shape Ups are a gimmick.

Google a body weight workout and stop wasting time and money.

Fit Bit does the same as this free website can when used properly.

redraidergirl2009

here is my experience with shape ups http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/322308-don-t-get-shape-up-toning-shoes-my-story?hl=shape+ups&page=2#posts-5452965

graysmom2005

I don't think I've ever seen a "fit" person wearing shape ups. Ever. They are always overweight, and I'm just making an assumption but is looking for a quick fix to lose weight...or to skip really working out. I don't want to paint a broad stroke...I'm SURE there are many who are doing it as well as other things to help lead a healthier life...but they don't work...I hate how they look actually...but I think they are just a gimmick. I'd put my money into some spin shoes.

MyOwnSunshine

Here's the deal with Shape Ups -- I've had mine for a while now.

I'm a nurse and they are extremely comfortable to wear when you are on your feet all day, especially if you have to stand in one place for long periods of time. I went from having chronic foot pain to no foot pain and can attribute that to Shape Ups. A lot of nurses swear by them.

On the other hand, I'm pretty sure they didn't make my butt any smaller.

Take it for what its worth. ;-)

LessMe2B

:happy: :bigsmile: I have the fitbit and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!!!

And yes, it did jump start my weight loss. I had plateaued, but have lost 6 lbs in 2 weeks of having it. It turned out I actually wasn't eating enough. The calorie burn it gives me is very close to my Polar HRM. It also sync's well with MFP!!

Ryder9902

I have a pair of shape up's which I originally bought because I get severe heel pain and they take the pressure off of my heels. However, since I have started walking at a brisk pace and working out I have found it much harder to stay stable while doing so. Not to mention I don't look very graceful. LOL. Good for when my heels hurt but bad for work-outs.

blondejillie

As for the Sketcher Shape Ups, I will say this - I could feel it in my thighs the first day or so that I wore them. After that, they felt like normal shoes. But they are the most COMFORTABLE shoes I've ever owned. If I want to walk long distances, I pull these bad boys out. I spent 5 hours touring Manhattan in these, as well as 4 days in Vegas walking several miles per day. Long day shopping - no problem. Touring the zoo - no problem.

I cannot attest to their fitness function, but they are the best shoes I ever bought and I wear them regularly.

DITTO THAT!

lissamok

I also got suckered into the shape-ups. Although they did absolutely nothing for me, I have to agree with the couple of women on here who have said they are the most comfortable shoes they have ever owned. I walk 3-5 miles a day and because these shoes are made with so much padding on the bottom, my feet never hurt from all the pounding on the pavement. Sure, you can't run in these because of the odd boat shape, but if you want a comfortable, well-padded shoe, go for it.

It doesn't really help you tone that much though. I got more toned from 5 days of 30DS than I did from 3 months of wearing these.

blondejillie

:happy: :bigsmile: I have the fitbit and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!!!

And yes, it did jump start my weight loss. I had plateaued, but have lost 6 lbs in 2 weeks of having it. It turned out I actually wasn't eating enough. The calorie burn it gives me is very close to my Polar HRM. It also sync's well with MFP!!

DITTO THAT!

jayb0ne

How about the sketcher shape up shoes which are supposed to tone your legs while you walk?

Just gonna throw this out there... There's no such thing as 'toning'. You're either building muscle, losing muscle or maintaining muscle.

Total gimmick.

Jay

trixirn

Here's the deal with Shape Ups -- I've had mine for a while now.

I'm a nurse and they are extremely comfortable to wear when you are on your feet all day, especially if you have to stand in one place for long periods of time. I went from having chronic foot pain to no foot pain and can attribute that to Shape Ups. A lot of nurses swear by them.

On the other hand, I'm pretty sure they didn't make my butt any smaller.

Take it for what its worth. ;-)

Also a nurse and this is my experience as well. I absolutely do not believe they do anything to shape me up but man my feet feel so much better!! I love my fitbit. I don't eat all my calories back, but I like to see an estimate of how much i move.

chelledawg14

Hi. I bought the Champion version of Shape-ups only because they cost me $7.50. The first few days, I could feel them pulling on my upper leg under my butt, but that was because of how you have to adjust to walking. I do not think they'll do anything for me, but they are really very, very comfortable shoes to wear when I'm doing my walking. I wear them on rainy days so I don't ruin my good tennies. I wouldn't purchase these as an exercise tool.

CarrieAnne22

As for the Sketcher Shape Ups, I will say this - I could feel it in my thighs the first day or so that I wore them. After that, they felt like normal shoes. But they are the most COMFORTABLE shoes I've ever owned. If I want to walk long distances, I pull these bad boys out. I spent 5 hours touring Manhattan in these, as well as 4 days in Vegas walking several miles per day. Long day shopping - no problem. Touring the zoo - no problem.

I cannot attest to their fitness function, but they are the best shoes I ever bought and I wear them regularly.

^^^this. They feel like walking on clouds, but I've had them for over a year now & haven't noticed any difference in the tone or shape of my legs. There is a specific way that you are suipposed to walk in them, very heel-to-toe using the full length of the sole, and when I'm thinking about it and walk that way I feel it in my thighs. But it's a very unnatural way to walk so I find that you lapse back into a normal walk very easily. Plus someone noticed me trying to walk like that here at work once & asked me what was wrong. They said it looked like I was a toddler trying to take her first steps without falling, lol.

lizard053

I have a pair of the Reebok Easytone shoes. Wow, they REALLY work my leg muscles. It helps me keep them strong. The key is you have to move around a lot for them to do anything at all. And NEVER wear them for a workout, you'll get hurt. They are comfy everyday shoes, but definitely not gym shoes. I can feel the difference in my legs that the shoes have helped me achieve. I could have gotten it without them, but I was not working out regularly at that point. To me the toning shoes are adding a little boost to my everyday movements. They help if you do a lot of walking or work on your feet. Otherwise, save the cash.

redraidergirl2009

yup awesome if you want irreparable foot damage, GO for it!

circuspixie

I'd love to hear more about Fit Bits... as for the Shape Up shoes- I HATED my pair! I spent top dollar on them (I am a nurse & when i wore them I worked 12-14 hr shifts on my feet) - I didn't notice any difference in "feeling the burn" of more muscle being used- however I did not feel like they were stable shoes or supportive for my feet & ankles. I would NEVER recommend them.

Also, I know someone who really jacked up their ankle (the rolled it) while walking in them.

glassyo

^^^this. They feel like walking on clouds, but I've had them for over a year now & haven't noticed any difference in the tone or shape of my legs. There is a specific way that you are suipposed to walk in them, very heel-to-toe using the full length of the sole, and when I'm thinking about it and walk that way I feel it in my thighs. But it's a very unnatural way to walk so I find that you lapse back into a normal walk very easily. Plus someone noticed me trying to walk like that here at work once & asked me what was wrong. They said it looked like I was a toddler trying to take her first steps without falling, lol.

That's interesting about walking heel to toe because that's exactly how I walk. Actually, I'd always heard the opposite and you're either supposed to put the weight on your midfoot or forefoot. I wish I could wear them (not for the fitness aspect but because of the comfort) but I can barely stand up straight without toppling over so trying to stay upright while walking in these shoes would probably be detrimental to me.

As for the fitbits...one of the best things I ever bought. It's sort of a glorified pedometer but it takes your bmr into account when counting activity/calories and I didn't start to semi consistently lose weight until I started paying attention to the fitbit numbers. It's wonderful at counting calories if you do a lot of walking and I'm assuming running (I pretty much just run to make a light so I don't have to stop walking).