Looked into FitBit, should I consider Jawbone UP?

I've used it in the rain with no trouble. I generally charge it when I'm in the shower. I got in the pool with mine, but took it off in just a few seconds and it was fine. They are "splash resistant" but not waterproof.

I would suggest getting the regular fitbit unless you really want to be able to monitor your HR. I ordered the regular charge but I thought I was ordering the HR version. I considered sending it back but I actually like it. Tracking calories burned throughout the day is more useful to me than knowing the exact calories I burn during exercise. And I don't even need to be able to view my stats on my Charge when I can just check it on my phone.

I researched all and went with garmin vivosmart with chest strap for HR. Best decision I made. Lasts 5-7 days depending on activity level.

_rachel_k wrote: »

You mean the FitBit flex?

Yes. My co-worker got hers the same time I got my Charge. It does the same thing but the Charge has bells and whistles that really aren't necessary IMO. Like I don't need a caller ID. Plus the flex is thinner. I guess since I always have my phone I don't have any use for being able to view my data on the fitbit device.

If all you need is calories burned, you can figure that out yourself.

If you're not gaining or losing, you found your maintenance level. Congrats.

Anything from an activity band isn't going to be 100% accurate, anyway. It certainly won't change how much you can eat without feeling hungry. Best case, it's going to give you a relatively dependable number that your going to have to adjust to match your actual results, anyway.

_rachel_k wrote: »

I thought I was able to figure it out myself but I can't. My TDEE says it's 1900ish so I eat 1700 and depending on how much I work out I will either eat some back or leave it and I don't lose weight or inches (but I am constantly hungry!!)

I am sticking to 1500 calories regardless of how much I workout. I was eating back exercise calories and found my progress to be really slow compared to last year. Granted I weigh less so that could be a factor. But when I looked at my diary last year I saw that I stuck to around 1,500 calories plus exercise and the weight fell off.

If you are constantly hungry you should eat foods that have more fat and more protein.

I used to have a BodyMedia arm band (2.5 years--JawBone bought them out). I credit it with keeping me accountable as far as activity intensity and calories burned goes.

I did a lot of research and recently bought a Garmin Vivoactive watch and chest strap. I was considering a Fitbit Surge, an Apple Watch, Mio Fuse and a Runtastic Orbit (I already use Runtastic to map my runs). I decided on the Garmin as a "best fit for me" for the following reasons:

I don't care about heart rate on a minute to minute basis, but do care about it when I'm training. Everything I've read says there's a larger margin for error with the wrist HRMs. I also don't like things tight on my wrist. So I wanted something with a chest strap.
I like getting the notifications on my phone. It's much more subtle during meetings to check my wrist for a text than to reach for my phone to see if it's something to which I need to respond.
I like getting the notifications, but I like that it only vibrates and doesn't make noise.
I like the apps and they are constantly adding new ones for more functionality.
I like the different settings for indoor vs. outdoor exercise.
I like the color interface.
Set-up was super easy.
Good phone app and website interface with the device.
Battery lasts well and charges really fast.


I love Apple, so it was hard to resist the watch, but I really want the HRM functions I get with what I've got.

Hope that helped a little! Here's a site with lots of reviews that I looked at:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2404445,00.asp[\url]

So which is the best Fitbit to get? Charge, Charge HR, Surge or Flex?