Fit Bit Question

I have been looking at different HRMs and since the Fit Bit is connected with MFP I thought that would be the beset choice to go with. But my question is, does it log all the walking I would do throughout the day and automatically count it as exercise? As a personal choice, I don't count daily activity (ie, walking to classes, playing with the kids I nanny). To me that doesn't count as exercise (some of you may think otherwise).

Also, what are your general thoughts of the Fit Bit?

I love my fitbit. If you're wearing it, it counts whatever steps you take or stairs you climb. It takes into account a lot of things that I normally wouldn't (like mowing the lawn last night). For me, it's more about the steps & activity level than the calories. I also like that it measures my sleep, since I have sleep apnea, it give me an idea about how the night went.

It does count everything you do but the adjustment it gives MFP (ie how many calories you burned) is what is OVER the amount MFP has in for you for your activity level. As we are more aware, we do more moving than we used to even if it isn't traditional exercise.

(For example, I noticed when I'm set as sedentary, I actually don't get any adjustment until I've gone past 5,000 steps for the day. This is because MFP has already figured that as your daily activity level).

The above poster is correct though. It is not an HRM. Some exercises are better off being measured by an HRM and overriding your fitbit calculations. Having said that, fitbit is great for measuring your overall activity level and for walking activities.

Yes, I'd like to know that question as well. What is the best for logging calories burned? I've been looking for something but then just get overwhelmed so then I stop. I guess there is a lot to learn!

I set my activity to sedentary (which I am at my job) and then just let Fitbit calculate the rest for me. I know there are days when I actually work out harder than it says but I just let it count that and go from there. I have lost 30lbs since Dec. 20th, so it must be working somehow.

Good luck!

Even though the fitbit isn't a HRM, I really like having it in addition to one. I like being able to say, oh dang I was a little lazier than normal today, better take the dog for a walk tonight.

I do still use a HRM for workouts other than walking, and input that manually.

I'm looking into either getting a FitBit or a Polar HRM. If you could only afford to buy ONE, which would be most beneficial when just starting out?

That depends on what you want to know.

General daily activity=fitbit
Working out at target HR/accurate cals burned for workouts=HRM