Is a fitbit worth it?

I have the fitbit and I like it for the motivation but I have had problems with the connection. In fact, I decided just today to disconnect it but I plan to keep wearing it. I like challenging myself to move more and I like that it monitors my sleeping patterns. I have difficulty sleeping so it has been providing me with data that seems to be helping.

Good luck with your decision.

I got the fitbit and I am on the fence about it. I wore it for a while and realized that my daily steps didn't really change all that much and I have a very consistent pattern. As for the sleep thing, it told me what I already know (once I fall asleep, I sleep really, really well ... just need to get a couple more hours every day!). I don't have a lot of opportunity to "up" my steps, so any additional exercise I do is just that, additional. It did confirm how sedentary I am, though, which is helpful/eye opening. I hope it gets more use in the summer when I will have the opportunity to walk outside with the kids after I get home from work.

In retrospect, I wish I would saved the money, but I can't say it hasn't provided some useful information.

Hope that helps!

Can anyone offer a better suggestion?

If you want total day calorie burn, a Bodymedia Fit of Bodybugg are other options. They are more advanced than the Fitbit which is basically a jumped up pedometer. The down side with them is you need a paid account to get your calorie information (although apparently there is a workaround for that at least with the Bodymedia Fit) and their information is not integrated with MFP like the Fitbit stuff is.

If you want exercise only calories, the option for doing that is a Heart Rate Monitor with a chest strap (without a chest strap HRMs are basically useless for calorie calculation even if they will give you a number as the number is only useful with constant HR monitoring). Polars are by far the most popular ones in this area. Here is a good post on HRMs. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Azdak/view/the-real-facts-about-hrms-and-calories-what-you-need-to-know-before-purchasing-an-hrm-or-using-one-21472

I have a HRM although not a polar which I use for exercise calories. I considered getting a Fitbit, but for the $50 or so dollars more I am currently leaning toward a Bodymedia Fit. I just with Costco in Canada would start carrying them since they have had some really good deals on them at Costco in the US.

My fitbit picks up all the car movement. I have a fitbit and a polar HRM. I like my HRM for exercise. But I do like the fitbit for steps but somedays it is way off

I really lilke mine...had it a few days now, and I really like all the info. I get. Not only my activity and steps, but it adjusts my calories based on my activity. I've figured my BMR and TDEE on some sites, and the fitbit actually has it the closest to what it "should" be. I have a nice Timex HRM which tracks my weight, height, etc. for calorie burn, and this helps complement the fitbit info. It's really helping me tweek my intake, as I'm basically on maintenance and some days I need more, some less.

I kept mine for two days before returning it. It's a fancy pedometer so I got a HRM (polar) instead and am very happy with it.