I'm wondering if I should get a fit bit. I got my surgery December 16th and was looking into a couple things while I have some down time. Does it really keep everyone motivated or is it one of those things where you're over it by week 3?

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That would depend on the individual's interest in using it for its purpose. No electronic gadget will "keep" anyone anything. It's the individual's responsibility to find ways to remain motivated. In that way gadgets are just like surgery. It's all in the hands of the human.

Edited December 19, 20169 yr by WLSResources/ClothingExch

I'm motivated. I was just wondering if it's all it's cracked up to be or not

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I personally like mine but I prefer the Garmin vivio fit line because you can swim with it and not worry.

I personally like mine but I prefer the Garmin vivio fit line because you can swim with it and not worry.

Does it do all the same things plus the swimming?

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I got one yesterday. I got it to remind me to walk. But the buzz is so soft I wore it all day at work and never really felt the buzz all I have to double tap often before it displays stats. Headed back to khols with it

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I've had a fitbit for years now (actually on my 3rd one) and it definitely keeps me motivated/on track. I usually do at least 10,000 steps a day, but even for days where I'm not doing much, I try to get it to at least 5,000 steps - anything less than that and I know I will be sore or have back issues the next day from being so inactive the day before. I don't swim, so having something waterproof is not important for me.

I can say, from times when my fitbit has fallen apart (excessive sweating in tropical rainforests) or died (went through the wash unfortunately), that my physical activity did go down and I gained weight. I don't go to the gym for various reasons, so most of my exercise comes from walking, and the fitbit (or any other tracker, really) is great for pushing me to hit the minimum requirement everyday. It keeps me honest like nothing else does.

I have had a jawbone fitness band for a year now and I like it. Wear it everyday. Tracks sleep, heartrate, calories burned, steps taken, and much more. Seems to be pretty accurate.

I have owned and/or used a Fitbit for the last 5 years and when I stay on top of wearing it, it definitely keeps me on track. I motivate me, it just helps me know how well I'm doing and reminds me to push myself when needed! They also have a waterproof version.

I won a Flex at the office raffle back in July and started wearing it.. Then I got the: 'Lose 10 lbs in a month Challenge' from my surgeon. Started using it to track my activity, constantly trying to beat my previous day's/weeks averages. Combined with healthy eating, I ended up losing 17lbs in 5 weeks.. and 38 in total before Surgery. I haven't tried any other activity tracker, but as a process measure, a Fitbit is great.

I had a FitBit something HR. It was pretty decent, but I bought a Garmin Vivosmart HR around April of this year. It is not as forgiving as the Fitbit I can tell you that! I was routinely hitting my 10K steps a day with the FitBit, but my Garmin shows about half of that. I much prefer the Garmin.

lol... One time while on the motorcycle, my fitbit said that I climbed 200 flight of stairs and had some insane amount steps. There was no way to correct it either. That was the reason I decided to try something else. I personally still like the Fitbit software UI better, but the hardware is better on the Garmin.

Whichever route you go, remember that it's not so much about the steps as it is the heart rate. And while the hear rate may not be accurate for any wrist monitor, as long as you are only using it to track changes it's great. If your monitor says 60 is your resting HR and you workout and get it up in the 130's, all that is important is that you know you elevated it and by how much approximately. Who cares if your HR was really 63 and it ended up at 127 bpm?! You are moving and burning fat. The device will just be able to show you when you are being active and when you are being lazy.

I say get one!

I love my fitbit the challenges with my firbit friends keep me motivated, and my goal is to beat my hubby since he is on his feet all day!

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My phone tracks steps automatically; I don't see the need for a FitBit at all. Just more status symbol tech toys.

"When all is said and done, usually more has been said than done. "

I like mine a lot. I have the HR which is cool to see your heart rate level when you are working out. Shows when in cardio, peak, etc. Weekends I'm motivated to get lots of steps. Mostly during week it is helpful in that if my steps are low from desk work I'll do something to get some steps in.

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Edited December 20, 20169 yr by sc101071

I've had a fitbit for years now (actually on my 3rd one) and it definitely keeps me motivated/on track. I usually do at least 10,000 steps a day, but even for days where I'm not doing much, I try to get it to at least 5,000 steps - anything less than that and I know I will be sore or have back issues the next day from being so inactive the day before. I don't swim, so having something waterproof is not important for me.

I can say, from times when my fitbit has fallen apart (excessive sweating in tropical rainforests) or died (went through the wash unfortunately), that my physical activity did go down and I gained weight. I don't go to the gym for various reasons, so most of my exercise comes from walking, and the fitbit (or any other tracker, really) is great for pushing me to hit the minimum requirement everyday. It keeps me honest like nothing else does.

I'm the same. My Fitbit keeps me motivated to move more. Try to beat my steps or calories or whatever from the previous day. I do see the times my tracker broke I did not move as much. It's like if you can't see it it doesn't count (just in my brain. Lol). Unfortunately I haven't been doing much recently as I partially tore a tendon in my ankle as well as other sprained ligaments. My goal is the they back to the gym and get on the bike since that won't put to much pressure on my ankles.

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My phone tracks steps automatically; I don't see the need for a FitBit at all. Just more status symbol tech toys.

"When all is said and done, usually more has been said than done. "

That's great if you constantly have your phone in your possession. I don't. I don't always have it in my hand or on my body when I get up from my desk to use the bathroom or otherwise walk around my office. I'm a lawyer and I'd get fined or, in the extreme, held in contempt if I attempted to be at counsel table or question a witness holding my phone so my activity gets tracked. I much prefer to have a fitbit on my wrist so that my activity gets tracked. Do I believe it's a perfect system? No. My fitbit will count steps from exaggerated arm movements, but it does give me a general idea of my activity and does act to motivate me to move.