please give advice on fitbit one vs other wt loss tools

I would be interested in hearing about this too.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.