Fitbit experience?

StephieWillcox

Hi all,

I have a bodymedia fit but I don't like wearing it as it's so bulky and obvious.

I was thinking of getting a fitbit, but have no experience of this device.

My main exercises are walking (a lot), yoga, and some jillian DVD's.

Do you think the fitbit is a good investment? Did it help anyone out there? And does my exercise seem suitable for the fitbit (I understand it will work well for walking, but not sure about anything else)

My main reason for needing a device like this is motivation to get my numbers up and keep my food at a deficit. Too many times I find myself saying "ah, one cookie will be ok, I'm sure my TDEE numbers aren't that accurate"

breezylee75

I love my fitbit. I am not sure as to the yoga and Jillian workouts, but you could always get a HRM to wear during those activities...I do. I didn't realize how sedentary I had become until I got my fitbit, I don't like to take a step without it lol!

StephieWillcox

Thanks for your input!

Yoga doesn't burn that much for me (using an average heart rate estimate it only comes out about 175 in addition to RMR cals for 30 minutes) so I am happy to manually add those on if fitbit is too low.

Definitely think I'm going to get one. At least it's someway to more accurately see the differences in TDEE through increased walking activities.

llangstraat

I love my fitbit! I wear it everywhere and it really helped me get a good idea of my tdee as even though I have a desk job, I am quite active at work lots of times and then others not so much. It also helped me realize how inactive I am on some days and that if I just get up and even walk around more that it really helps! For activities like Yoga and bike riding, etc. I just input them manually.

CanGirl40

I love love love my fitbit! I wear it on my bra every day and it really keeps me in check as to how "sedentary" I can sometimes be....like sometimes at work I'm at a desk a lot and other days I'm on my feet a lot. I check my steps and get moving if I'm on the low end. I even walked outside in a bit of a snowstorm yesterday to get in some steps! It "forces" me to be more active! (I wear a HRM for my "exercise" - strength training and other cardio) but I continue to wear fitbit as well. And I pretty much just use the number fitbit gives me. It is VERY accurate to the calculators on the net and Heybales' spreadsheet! Have fun, and feel free to "fitbit friend" me on the fitbit site! Message me.

KarenJanine

I love my fitbit, been using one almost daily since last July. I aim to get my 10000 steps per day which motivates me to get up a bit more and walk about during the day.

I log strength training and cycling separately.

StephieWillcox

Thanks guys - I've only had my fitbit for 3 days and I already love it.

Cycling my calories according to what I've actually burnt each day is SO MUCH more motivating for me than eating a standard number each day (and therefore allowing me to cheat on my exercises).

I have a HRM which I am now wearing for exercising, although it doesn't have a calorie count on it I just use the average heart rate and plug it into an online calculator. The burns seem reasonable compared to MFP numbers and things so I think I will keep that up until I can afford a better HRM!

I am SO active on weekdays as I walk to and from work, walk around town at lunchtime, walk around the office etc, but I am SO LAZY at weekends. This fitbit is going to be awesome!

I even went for a jog/walk using C25K for the first time IN MY LIFE to get some steps/ miles/ calories burnt!