What is really worth spending $$ on?

sassylilmama
sassylilmama Posts: 1,493 Member
edited September 25 in Health and Weight Loss
I have some extra money and was sure I would spend it on a HRM. But now I am looking at all the different HRMs I cannot decide what to get. It is all sooo confusing. I am losing weight very well without one so maybe its not necessary after all. Is there anything else that is a "must have"?
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Replies

  • Barelmy
    Barelmy Posts: 590 Member
    A food scale.

    Other than that, not so much. I use encyclopaedias for weights, for instance.
  • Samerah12
    Samerah12 Posts: 610 Member
    I looooooove my heart rate monitor. Next to the gym its been the most helpful thing I've spent money on.
  • jparson714
    jparson714 Posts: 171 Member
    I have a HRM... bought mine at Walmart for $45 and have no complaints!
    I also recommend the food scale, if you don't have one.
  • sassylilmama
    sassylilmama Posts: 1,493 Member
    I do have a food scale and I LOVE it.
  • LindaSueBakk
    LindaSueBakk Posts: 145 Member
    An HRM is worth the money. I love my Polar f4t - around $100 is a sporting goods store, cheaper online.
  • queen220
    queen220 Posts: 8 Member
    I have been using the Polar F6 HR monitor for 4 yrs. Best investment. I'd be lost w/o it.
  • shanny78
    shanny78 Posts: 2
    Protein...Protein...Protein. It is the key to success. It is really not necessary to use a heart rate monitor. Zumba is also pretty awesome.
  • lnadeau66
    lnadeau66 Posts: 135 Member
    Food scale, measuring cups and measuring spoons....theres definitely something to be said for portion control!:smile: Also some type of inhome exercise (ie exercise dvds and my second hand treadmil) has been great for me who has 2 young children and a husband that works shift work.
  • sassylilmama
    sassylilmama Posts: 1,493 Member
    I have a HRM... bought mine at Walmart for $45 and have no complaints!
    I also recommend the food scale, if you don't have one.

    What HRM do you have, I looked and there are a few on their site in the $45 range?
  • Jacquelyn913
    Jacquelyn913 Posts: 300 Member
    Polar HRM, definately worth the money!!
  • hooah_mj
    hooah_mj Posts: 1,004 Member
    Before I even purchased an HRM, I bought several cute workout outfits:laugh: !! Nothing like looking and feeling good :bigsmile: & don't forget to buy a real good pair of sneakers!
  • Jacquelyn913
    Jacquelyn913 Posts: 300 Member
    If you decide to get a HRM make sure it has a chest strap, anything cheap will not be worth it in the long run. I learned that the hard way.
  • pinkgigi
    pinkgigi Posts: 693 Member
    Scale that includes BMI and Fat %, it gives more feedback than just the weightloss.

    Gym membership, cute workout gear, good shoes for workouts.

    GG
  • husker_gal
    husker_gal Posts: 462 Member
    I bought a Polar ft60 HRM and I absolutely L-O-V-E LOVE it!! It does soooo much and is so specific to you and your heart rate and fitness level and everything. It's wonderful for keeping you on your plan and for challenging you and for giving an accurate calories burned number after your workouts. Plus everything can be tracked online for free so you can see how you are doing fitness wise. ( you still need MFP for the weight monitoring but polarpersonaltrainer.com tracks your fitness level.)
  • husker_gal
    husker_gal Posts: 462 Member
    If you decide to get a HRM make sure it has a chest strap, anything cheap will not be worth it in the long run. I learned that the hard way.

    me too.
  • spacecase76
    spacecase76 Posts: 673 Member
    don't forget to buy a real good pair of sneakers!

    Indeed! I have started running and I was having pain in my calf. Getting fitted for running shoes has kept me at it.

    I don't have a HRM yet, but, I have a feeling that once I get closer to my goal, and losing gets harder, I will want one so that I am not just "guessing" at my calorie burn...
  • indigochilds
    indigochilds Posts: 69 Member
    Polar Heart Rate Monitor. I have the FT4. ( its my precious). A food scale. measuring cups/spoons.
  • HungryMom
    HungryMom Posts: 280
    I could not live without my Polar HRM or my Enell sports bra. I love not having to guess at my calorie burn and am motivated watching the calories add up during my jogs. And OMG did supporting the girls properly make a difference. And once I hit the 40lb mark I am investing in a pair of good running shoes. Whatever you choose, enjoy!
  • foxyforce
    foxyforce Posts: 3,078 Member
    people can lose weight without the hrm, thought it might motivate you. i would just get some good equiptment so you can work out at home all the time without getting bored. some ankle weights, a skipping rope etc
  • bluespring
    bluespring Posts: 201 Member
    I bought a Polar ft60 HRM and I absolutely L-O-V-E LOVE it!! It does soooo much and is so specific to you and your heart rate and fitness level and everything. It's wonderful for keeping you on your plan and for challenging you and for giving an accurate calories burned number after your workouts. Plus everything can be tracked online for free so you can see how you are doing fitness wise. ( you still need MFP for the weight monitoring but polarpersonaltrainer.com tracks your fitness level.)

    Me too. It's sooo worth the money....
    Get yourself a good HRM...you will not regret it.
    Check out the best deals on Amazon or local sports shops.
    Good luck!
    :bigsmile:
  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,423 Member
    Good shoes and sports bra.
    In my opinion, other stuff is a luxury but these are necessities!
  • NatalieWinning
    NatalieWinning Posts: 999 Member
    I bougt a heart rate monitor half way into the effort. Best thing ever! I had a food scale already, which is essential. I spent money on Wii Zumba, Wi EA Sports Active Personal Trainer, and already had wii fit plus. At a discount store I got some Biggest Loser DVD's and they are WELL worth the money!! Work out clothes came after 30lbs lost, half way in. They were not necessary, except stretchy pants were helpful, and once I started walking instead of just DVD's I needed some comfortable shoes. I had a nordic track ski machine, if I had bucks I would buy a good treadmill from craigs list.
  • NatalieWinning
    NatalieWinning Posts: 999 Member
    If you get a HRM do get one with a chest strap. It's going to be up to $100 for one decent enough to have not wasted your money. I got one half price on e-bay Polar 7 and it was "new".
  • dengarrett
    dengarrett Posts: 367
    HRM definitiely - and agree with food scale also. And a good pair of shoes for working out.

    For strength training - $25 or so will buy resistance tubes and give you everything you need.
  • taletreader
    taletreader Posts: 377 Member
    Food scale. Bicycle.
  • Balishdear
    Balishdear Posts: 60
    I have a heart rate monitor, but not for the reasons indicated. I used to be OCD about my heart rate when I had heart problems, but now, the batteries are dead and I have not touched the thing. I have come across an idea. Replace all your large plates with medium sized ones if your really aiming to control portions.
  • MamaLeague
    MamaLeague Posts: 148 Member
    1. Good shoes. Go get fitted at a runners store.
    2. A HRM. Mine is a New Balance from Target. LOVE it. It does have the chest strap
    3. A good bra. I'm STILL searching for this one, however.
  • jbug100
    jbug100 Posts: 406 Member
    I like my kettlebells for strength training and cardio. Well worth the cash.
  • corpus_validum
    corpus_validum Posts: 292 Member
    Scale that includes BMI and Fat %, it gives more feedback than just the weightloss.

    +1. Ditch a weight scale and go for a good body fat/composition monitor like a Tanita. To be blunt, weight scales provide a single useless info. A body fat/composition monitor isn't the most accurate device, but at least it will paint a better, more informative picture of what's taking place with your body over time: body fat %, body water %, muscle mass and more in addition to weight.

    Other items worth $$ IF you put them to use on a regular basis: medicine balls, resistance bands, BOSU trainer, TRX bands, jump rope
  • Ange_
    Ange_ Posts: 324 Member
    I got a Suunto M4 heart rate monitor. I love it because not only does it measure your HR but it also plans how much exercise and at what level each week to loose your goal weight or to get to a goal fitness. it also does fitness tests.

    It works pretty well as a watch too. So i get to wake up in the morning and it tells me if it is an exercise day or not and how long and how hard i should work out that day.

    i totally recommend it.
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