[Avalon1957]

I have become addicted to using this tiny "step tracker" called the FitBit in my dieting journey. Has anyone else tried this or any other sort of step tracking technology?

https://www.fitbit.com/store

In the ideal protein diet, you are not supposed to do strenuous exercise, but I think walking is perfect. It helps to strengthen bones and muscles, improves cholesterol levels, reduces depression and anxiety, strengthens the heart, and kicks up your metabolism. Just so many benefits.

A friend of mine talked me into buying the version called "One" which you can clip onto your clothes or simply hold. It even comes with an elastic band that you can wear around your wrist.



There are other models more like watches. They all do basically the same thing.

What has helped me most -- is I have found it kind of addicting to watch your progress as your step totals mount each eay -- and it's motivated me to get out and walk more -- which has really benefited my weight loss.

Every week it emails you, your weekly totals. I never thought it was possible that I could walk so much, and I really feel a lot better and a lot healthier.

[alshims]

I LOVE my fit bit, it is definitely motivating to get the cheers and weekly report. I also belong to "Every Move" which along with cheering me along my stepping they donate to non-profits. Recently I joined FITT 90 day Million Step Challenge.
I currently have the fit bit Force which was recalled, I am looking forward to their new ones coming out early 2015. I use My Fitness Pal to log my food and it also syncs with fit bit for activity.

[stephascope]

Hi Avalon,

I have been using a Jawbone Up tracker since April and I love it! I usually shoot for 10k steps/day. Easy on a work day but harder on a holiday like today and it's too cold to walk/run outside. When I run, sometimes I can pack up to 20k steps which is awesome! I love being able to track my activity and anything that encourages us to move more is great.

[scorbett1103]

I've had my fitbit for a long time and I love it! You can integrate it with MyFitnessPal so that it automatically loads your steps.

[pishposhappelsauce]

I also have a fitbit and I was just thinking today I wanted to pose this question to those of you who also use it. In MFP, do you let it add calories for the steps logged? I agree it's fun to see but, even if I get all my steps in I'm not sure I trust the calorie calculations it does. As I move into maintenance and am paying close attention to calorie intake, I'm thinking I'll only track exercise if it's strenuous and enter it manually.

[Avalon1957]

WOW!! It's great that so many others use this or other similar trackers! Thanks for responding everyone.

Alshims, yes, the little cheering emails one gets is nice.

Steph, I will look for Jawbone Up online. I am curious to see that. Wow, 10k steps a day and some days 20k. You are my new hero!

Scorbett, I will have to look for MyFitnessPal.

PishPosh, I agree with you that the calories burned estimate might be a bit excessive. Not sure how they calculate that.

[SallyE]

I also love my Fitbit Flex..my DH has the Fitbit One like you Avalon! We have an Aria scale that syncs via wifi to our fitbits so I LOVE being able to look at my weight patterns (I am a daily weigher!).

[Briael]

Garmin, foot pod and heartrate monitor here - purchased by hubby as a reward for losing some weight back in 2010, and designed to spur me to further loss.

[mike7059]

I love the Aria scale. Since the data I get from that gives me a fat to lean mass measurement I don't do the composition test at my weigh-ins anymore. Basically has paid for have of itself from skipping those. Besides it automatically graphs out the data for me. Plus I use a Fitbit Flex to help keep me moving.

[disgal]

LOVE my Fitbit!! Hubby has the "flex" ....prefers having a wristband. I also enjoy "mapmyrun" so I can see the actual map of where I walk....and hearing when I reach a mile (and how long I've been walking) is fun tool!!

[Avalon1957]

Thanks for all the posts, everyone. It's cool to see that we have quite a few step trackers here!

[rsach312]

I don't have fitbit but track my steps. Any given day my steps counts are between 9000-10000.

[lese1030]

Love my Fitbit and I'm always in challenges with my coworkers and friends on steps accomplished. I don't like to lose so it motivates me to get out there and MOVE!

[flbeachgirl]

I had the Fitbit Force that was recalled so replaced it with the Fitbit Zip. Love it but have received info from Fitbit that they are coming out with 2 new designs around the first of the year. I plan to get the new one that is replacing the Force.

[darthkitten]

I have the fitbit flex and love it! Like scorbett, I also sync mine with My Fitness Pal - I love tracking!