Fitbit and other fitness monitors?

[Melaine]

Annie's thread reminded me that I've been meaning to ask you guys about these. I'm interested in one but the reviews seem fairly mediocre across the board and narrowing down the various models and brands is daunting. If you have one, what made you get that particular one and how do you like it? I'm interested in the social media aspect of it because when I was counting calories I loved logging into myfitnesspal and having that friend connection to motivate me. I'm a little concerned about the exposure to the bluetooth all the time though.

[NCGrandma]

Can't comment about the social media aspect, but I turn Bluetooth on for only a minute or so once a day to sync my Fitbit with my iPad or iPod. I suppose you might want to sync more often if you really want frequent social media updates, but probably not enough to worry about exposure.


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[pastrygirl]

I don't think you can disable Bluetooth on the FitBit. At least not mine (FitBit One.) I've had it since January 2013 and it was motivating for several months, but not anymore. Now it's depressing, with my WAH job and winter blahs! I'm barely moving. ETA: also, it's useless for my workouts because I lift weights. I don't take many steps during my workout, so according to FitBit and MFP, I'm not burning any more calories on workout vs non-workout days.

[kboyle]

I got the charge hr and kept it for 2 wks. I liked it but felt I wanted it to do a bit more and purchases the Microsoft band, honestly I loved it but it did too much and not having a windows phone I wasn't able to use cortana and all the functions. I went back to the charge hr this week and it's nice having the heartrate monitor because I don't run, so it shows my cal burn for yoga and barre classes which I like. I have several friends with Fitbit but I didn't friend anyone. It is motivating to have it be more social, I just haven't done so yet.


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[NCGrandma]

I don't think you can disable Bluetooth on the FitBit. At least not mine (FitBit One.).

You're right, of course. Even if there's nothing actively receiving the BT signal (like an iPad while syncing), I guess it's still sending. I just got confused! Thanks


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[truly scrumptious]

I have the Jawbone Up24. I really like the app and it got better reviews than the FitBit app. It also syncs with MFP so I log my meals on MFP tho i don't use any of the social media features. It monitors sleep but I don't sleep with it (BT at night worries me more than BT during the day, for absolutely no rational reason) but I log my sleep manually too. It has some other nice features like an inactivity alarm which reminds me to get up and move around if I've been sitting at my desk too long during the day, a power nap feature and a gentle wake feature which wakes you during your lightest sleep (I've only used this for the Powernap since I've never slept with it overnight.) The app also has little motivational messages which I personally like ("your 5 day average was X - how about trying to beat it by 500 steps today?" Or nutrition tips etc. ) since I don't use the social media so I use it as motivation to compete against myself.


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[Melaine]

I have the Jawbone Up24. I really like the app and it got better reviews than the FitBit app. It also syncs with MFP so I log my meals on MFP tho i don't use any of the social media features. It monitors sleep but I don't sleep with it (BT at night worries me more than BT during the day, for absolutely no rational reason) but I log my sleep manually too. It has some other nice features like an inactivity alarm which reminds me to get up and move around if I've been sitting at my desk too long during the day, a power nap feature and a gentle wake feature which wakes you during your lightest sleep (I've only used this for the Powernap since I've never slept with it overnight.) The app also has little motivational messages which I personally like ("your 5 day average was X - how about trying to beat it by 500 steps today?" Or nutrition tips etc. ) since I don't use the social media so I use it as motivation to compete against myself.


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I am glad you commented on the up24. There are some amazing deals on that one in the amazon warehouse, so it is one I was considering. I am just not sure if there is any format for friending people, but other than that it really looks like a great option.

[truly scrumptious]

Because it syncs both ways with MFP I think you could just use MFP for the social aspect and either not use the Up app or use both like I do.


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[Melaine]

Because it syncs both ways with MFP I think you could just use MFP for the social aspect and either not use the Up app or use both like I do.


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That's true I guess. I just doing the fast diet now, so I don't want to go back to counting calories.

[Hemlock]

I have the Fitbit flex and the Aria Scale. I love them both. I'm generally a lazy person, but the Fitbit really motivates me to get up and move. I try to set mini goals throughout the day "walk 5000 steps before lunch...". The social aspect is HUGE for me. I have a small group of friends and we "compete" for most steps/week. Let's face it, nobody wants to be the "laziest" person in their group. I started logging my food in MyFitness Pal about 8 weeks ago and I have lost 16 pounds. In the interest of full disclosure, I do have an upcoming trip to motivate me (I'll be wearing a bathing suit).

[westwoodmom04]

I am a huge fitbit fan and I think it is probably the most cost efficient fitness monitor. I've had both the one and the zip and I like the zip better because it doesn't need to be charged and I don't monitor my sleep. I have an ongoing competition with a friend although this winter has slowed us both down.

[AnnieW625]

Can't comment about the social media aspect, but I turn Bluetooth on for only a minute or so once a day to sync my Fitbit with my iPad or iPod. I suppose you might want to sync more often if you really want frequent social media updates, but probably not enough to worry about exposure.


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I only turn on my bluetooth on a for a minute as well. Usually at night right before I go to bed.

[kboyle]

I'm eyeing the aria scale. Hemlock, is it *just a scale* that syncs with Fitbit?


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[pastrygirl]

I have the Aria scale, and the fat % is completely innacurate for me. It's correct for my husband, though. It's kind of a hassle because anyone who steps on it needs to have an account. If someone else is close to your weight, it will assume it's you. You can delete entries manually on the FitBit site or app, though. ETA: It's kept me at 37% fat despite a 40lb weight loss and serious muscle gain. Calipers register at around 22% fat.

[kboyle]

Hmmm, maybe I'll get it at best buy since they have a good return policy... We've needed a new scale for so long and I just keep hesitating getting it. I keep thinking the 30 yr old scale that used to be my parents is sufficient even though I know it's off lol.


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[♥ms.pacman♥]

i have a fitbit flex and the aria scale. i like really like the scale and how it logs everything so i don't have to keep track.

and yes, the best thing about fitbit is competing with friends/coworkers. i always feel bad when i see my weekly total drop down. or its 1pm and i see i've only moved 3,000 steps so far that day...guilts me into feeling bad about not moving around.

i bought mine from bestbuy almost a year ago. i've had to call Fitbit cs over a couple issues (band breaking, etc) but they always just had me email copy of my receipt and they send me a replacement. they can take some time but they do respond if you've been having issues with something.

[ang79]

I've had a Fitbit Flex since Sept. I like it and was very motivated by it the first few months but since winter set in I've been pretty lazy :( I don't really know other people IRL who have one to compete with them. I got a Fitbit Zip for DH to wear but he wasn't really into it and after a week (and losing it a few times) he gave up. I think if I had more friends to compete with it would make it more motivating for me. Anyone wanna be Fitibit buddies? :)

I like how the Flex is always on me and I've had no issues with it falling off. I only take it off to shower and to charge it. I do sleep in it and at first the sleep tracking was pretty interesting to see but I don't really look at it anymore. I don't think its the most accurate tracker, as it doesn't count steps if I'm carrying something, pushing a shopping cart, etc. I can work all day as a substitute elem. teacher and be on my feet all day and only get a few thousand steps on it, I think because I'm not actively swinging my arms as I walk around the classroom helping kids. I wasn't really looking to lost weight with it, just for it to help me be more aware of my daily activity levels. I do have it synced with MFP and tracked my food intake vs. exercise for about 1-2 months before I kinda let go of that too..... Oh, I do wish it had a watch on it, that would be helpful at times. I haven't worn a watch in years but now that I am running Girl Scout meetings, substitute teaching, etc., a watch would be nice. I'm too cheap to shell out for the newer models with watches on them though.

[essnce629]

I have a Fitbit One and chose it because it has the best reviews out of all the Fitbit devices (4.5 stars, while the rest have 3.5-4 stars). I wear it clipped on my bra and didn't want one that went on my wrist because I wanted to still be able to wear it when I was dressed up. Also, the reviews on the wrist ones say it doesn't count your steps accurately when you're pushing a shopping cart, which I do a lot of. Also, I read the wrist ones add steps when you're driving a car and I didn't want that either. I also wanted to be able to track my sleep, which the other clip on Fitbit doesn't do. I've been extremely happy with my One and even bought one for my mom.

[specialp]

I have a Fitbit One and chose it because it has the best reviews out of all the Fitbit devices (4.5 stars, while the rest have 3.5-4 stars). I wear it clipped on my bra and didn't want one that went on my wrist because I wanted to still be able to wear it when I was dressed up. Also, the reviews on the wrist ones say it doesn't count your steps accurately when you're pushing a shopping cart, which I do a lot of. Also, I read the wrist ones add steps when you're driving a car and I didn't want that either. I also wanted to be able to track my sleep, which the other clip on Fitbit doesn't do. I've been extremely happy with my One and even bought one for my mom.

:yeahthat: DH bought me the one a year ago and I love it. I didn't pick it out as it was a gift, but now that I know others who have the wrist version I am glad I have this one. One of the preschool moms says it doesn't count her steps accurately when she runs with a jogging stroller. (She is very into fitness - works out 7 days a week so I think she spent a lot of time monitoring it.) Our preschool is on a huge hill and she says it seems to count a few steps while she is driving up the hill, but not down the hill. She said she was going to replace it with a one, but not sure if she has done it. I do not use the social media aspect at all except to compete with DH, but a year later and I'm more active than I was then. I alternate clipping mine to my bra and my jeans. The bad part about clipping to your jeans is forgetting about it.