Got a FitBit - It's working for me, here's my feedback (now with pictures).

[FrenchTart]

seems a lot to me.

Garmin probably use a better algorithm for calculating calories burned as it takes the heart rate and stuff into the forumla they use if you have a HRM attached and I'd say these are still wildly exaggerated even though the device is supposed to learn the rider and get more accurate over time.

Your walking 12 miles probably at low heart rate can't be anywhere near cycling for 2-3 hours in calories burned?

Walking burns more kcal per mile than cycling as you're using more of your body and in a less efficient way. Obviously you can do a lot more miles in an hour cycling than you can walking so you can probably burn more kcal in a given time. Running is the fastest way to burn kcal though.

 

[FrenchTart]

Today is day 300 of my FitBit ownership and although things have again slowed a little, I've dropped fractionally over another stone in the last fifty days since I posted a weight update. I'm now down by 9st 5lb which is 131lb or just under 60kg lost.

Last weekend I ordered a t-shirt from eBay which turned up very quickly but I had to send it back because it was too big. It was a large size and I've exchanged it for a medium and I'm wearing it now. It's a bit tight but not uncomfortable and as I still have a little way to go, I'm happy with it. When I put the large on and it was too big, I had a huge smile on my face as I used to fill XXXL t-shirts!

So I'm very confident that when the next fifty day update rolls around that I'll have reached my size goal and be comfortably in my wedding suit from over twenty years ago. Expect pictures when that happens

I've not lost as much as you (14kg so far - 6 more to go) but I agree it's a really nice feeling when you notice clothes being too baggy/big for you that before would have been right or even a bit tight

 

[ic1male]

With you walking so much, Feek (and well done on all you have achieved so far) do you not get any inklings to want to start running?

 

[Feek]

Nope, no desire whatsoever. I've tried it very briefly a couple of times but I've still got bits that bounce uncomfortably and my knees aren't great. Last year in July I bowled a three game series and my left knee hurt for three months afterwards. It's a shame as I used to bowl twice a week and really enjoyed it.

But I really don't fancy running, I'm happy enough walking (done sixteen miles today at an average speed of just under 4.5 mph) and I clearly don't need to run to get the desired results.

 

[coupe69]

Great results Feek, congratulations! I bet you're over the moon looking at those before and after pics!

If you like walking how about taking up golf? it generally ruins a nice walk around the countryside for me

 

[godinman]

Still going Feek, nice one! What will you do when you reach your target? Keep the walking up but reduce the deficit slightly? Or just see where you balance out?

 

[Fuggan]

Well done Feek, great achievement!

 

[Hyburnate]

Holy crap, have you changed your diet at all?

 

[Feek]

Holy crap, have you changed your diet at all?

I still eat all the rubbish, just a bit less of it.

 

[Rids]

Hmm, the fitbit does sound tempting.

I have apps like MapMyWalk on the iPhone however they don't track steps without an accessorie and I find the GPS to be a little random and tends to overestimate the distance / speed (especially in the city)

Obviously you've had positive experiences and results with it. Had you tried any other sort of apps / devices previous to this (HRM watches etc)?

Cheers

 

[Feek]

No, I've not used anything apart from the FitBit.

 

[lordrobs]

Hmm, the fitbit does sound tempting.

I have apps like MapMyWalk on the iPhone however they don't track steps without an accessorie and I find the GPS to be a little random and tends to overestimate the distance / speed (especially in the city)

Obviously you've had positive experiences and results with it. Had you tried any other sort of apps / devices previous to this (HRM watches etc)?

Cheers

Endomondo Pro counts steps and is only a few quid to download

The main issue for me with a fitbit would be that I always end up driving somewhere so having to go back and edit the times that I was driving to ensure I don't get false readings would get old pretty quickly,

 

[d_brennen]

Well done feek, you've lost nearly a whole me in weight

 

[Feek]

The main issue for me with a fitbit would be that I always end up driving somewhere so having to go back and edit the times that I was driving to ensure I don't get false readings would get old pretty quickly,

The FitBit will add a few steps while driving but not many. My normal drive to work is about 40 minutes along the back roads which are quite uneven in places and it adds less than 50 steps. 50 steps extra over 16,000 is so little as to make no difference.

 

[lordrobs]

The FitBit will add a few steps while driving but not many. My normal drive to work is about 40 minutes along the back roads which are quite uneven in places and it adds less than 50 steps. 50 steps extra over 16,000 is so little as to make no difference.

I was under the impression that it added much more than that. An extra 50 or so makes very little difference as you say.

 

[Rids]

I've pulled the trigger on a Fitbit Flex.

The problem I've had with apps is starting them - I've probably missed well over 100 mile plus walks on MapMyWalk because I forget to start the workout. Therefore I just cant rely on the results.

I also find the chest strap you for my Heart Rate a massive pain in the balls. Its not comfortable enough to be worn throughout the day, and the constant on/off pairing stuff does my skull in.

I realise Fit Bit isnt going to offer everything that MMW does with a HRM but I'm hoping that since its simply going to be there, on my wrist all the time the results might be a bit more complete.

 

[Beasty]

Love my Fitbit, I've got the ultra, it's starting to fall apart after two years though! Great customer service, I dropped my original down the toilet somehow (standing up!) and they replaced it.

Think I've used it pretty much every day and it's great for tracking running when I play football.

Nice work Feek! The ultra along with fitbit's scales have really helped me.

 

[Feek]

I was under the impression that it added much more than that. An extra 50 or so makes very little difference as you say.

If you find it adding more, there's a simple solution. Keep the charging cable in the car and just plug the FitBit in when you're driving as it won't register steps when charging.

I did that to start with but soon realised that the number of random steps added is minuscule and I kept forgetting to unplug it and stick it back in my pocket!

 

[Rids]

My Flex arrived today - already worn it for about half the day. Today is my treat day so its hardly been put through its paces but first thought is that its a pretty cool little thing and the wristband is perfectly comfortable.

Spent the first 3 hours I had it at my desk, during this time it only picked up 20 steps so I'm not concerned about it massively over-reading. Did my usual journey home, tracked at just over 4000 steps and 28 minutes.

Setting an initial goal of 13000 steps a day - should equate to the walk to work, the walk back from work and a brief jaunt at some point during the day. A perfectly achievable amount that hopefully doesn't carry too much of a threat of burn out.

I'll let you know how I get on!

 

[oulton]

Congrats on the weight loss!

I have been using my samsung health app and i really enjoy using the stop counter. My target is 10,000 per day which i usually manage (if i have my phone on me )

The other day I wen't for a walk in the morning then played 18 holes of golf and i walked 19000 steps

So far I have lost 7kg in 2 months.