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).