Pedometer nerds (1 Viewer)

[Long Ball Larry]

Just a heads up on these things....

My BIL got burned by the Fitbit flex; it literally burnt his wrist. Something about it being a toxicity burn or something like that. He's had a pretty big scabby looking rash for 3 weeks from where the battery sat on his wrist and another small spot where the charging port sat. Dr. told him expect it to last 4-6 weeks before totally clearing up.

Yeah, also see this post above: http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=702830&p=16567718

It might be a non-issue for a lot of people, but a problem for sensitive people.

 

[Ned]

Just a heads up on these things....

My BIL got burned by the Fitbit flex; it literally burnt his wrist. Something about it being a toxicity burn or something like that. He's had a pretty big scabby looking rash for 3 weeks from where the battery sat on his wrist and another small spot where the charging port sat. Dr. told him expect it to last 4-6 weeks before totally clearing up.

The Flex or the Force? The Force has been recalled because of that. I haven't heard of it with the Flex.

I'm not sure to be honest. I only half listen to him when he talks. It was a pretty ugly burn, whatever it was though. So be careful.

 

[Otis]

Which Fitbit: water resistance

Sadly none of the Fitbit activity trackers can monitor your swimming, and you cant later log this fitness info into your numbers yourself. But you can at least wear your Flex in the shower, unlike the other Fitbits that are less happy getting wet.

I did wear my Flex while swimming and after a few months the rubber wristband did begin to perish a little, and my wife claims that it started to smell so best taken off for long periods of liquid submersion.

The Fitbit One, Zip and Force are splash proof, but should not be submerged more than one metre.

The Flex is water resistant, and can be submerged up to 10 metres.

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/features/gadget/3501231/which-fitbit-is-best-buy/

I've been looking at these the past several days.I really just need to know if I can wear the thing in the shower.

PIA to take it on/off.

BAsically my question as well. Looking to get it as a gift for my gf and it seems clear that the Force is probably the best, but yes, if there is little water-resistance, that is a pain and maybe the additional digital features are not worth it.

I opted for the Flex over the Force specifically so I don't have to take it off to shower. After a bunch of showers, it's still working flawlessly. The additional data available on the Force display is a nice benefit, but since I pretty much have my phone with me at all times to access the data, that really wasn't enough to overcome the benefit of being waterproof.

BB-when did you start using this, and how do you use it? I'm tempted if it will help incentive getting in shape, even if only a little. TIA

Have had it about a week. Have hit my 10k goal everyday, along with my daily 5 mile distance goal and 30 active minutes goal. But I've had to do 30 minutes on the treadmill every day to get there. The Fitbit app on the phone tracks everything in real time. As I mentioned up thread, I'm a bit OCD, do the obsession with getting all the bars green (meaning you achieved the goal) is a great motivator for me to exercise daily. (I've heard of people walking around the block at 11pm at night just do they can hit their goal for the day.). It's a genius motivator for someone like me.

I also purchased the Aria Fitbit wifi scale. So when I weigh myself each morning, it automatically logs my weight and body fat percentage in the Fitbit app and tracks it over time.

Yesterday was my first day logging food, so I'm still figuring out if that aspect of the app (tracking calorie intake and degicits) is worth the effort.

Thanks, very helpful. Re: the bolded, I saw that scale and was considering same. It's a stupid gadget maybe, but that's the kind of stuff I'm a sucker for, and it can tend to help get me motivated and adopting better habits.

The one thing that will annoy the crap out of me is logging food. I did that for a while when I was on MyFitnessPal and it worked, but I just found it so tedious/annoying. I'm curious to hear what your experience is like on that front.

May seriously consider jumping in on this with the scale by the end of the week.

re: the 10k number, that's been my experience. For office job guys like us, the only way to hit that number regularly is to supplement with exercise. I'm lucky in that sense in that my commute is a whole lot of walking, to a commuter rail, through the subway, through the city, so I end up getting into the 6-8k pretty much every normal day. And I can hit 10k on the days I go for added walks in the city (walk out for lunch, errands like a haircut or the bank). But in order to hit 10k regularly, I would need to supplement with some kind of a run each morning. Maybe I need exactly that incentive.

Super #### question of the day: how does the thing look? Does it look totally dorky and awful with business attire, or not too bad?

I found it pretty easy to hit 10K steps, but I worked about 2 miles from where I lived, so I just walked to and from work. A partner at the office I'm in now actually has a treadmill desk.

For you, could you try to catch the train a stop or two further away from your office? Or just take 20 minutes of the lunch you skip to walk a mile? You're there.

Yup, probably doable, so long as I make the time for a midday walk. Some days it's tough because I'll have a con call right at or around lunch hour that I'll need to be on or prep for, or I'll have a work lunch or something. I wish I had a distinct "free hour" every day at a given time, but some days it's tough.

But yeah, I suppose I need to start making time for a midday walk somewhere in the city. That will also be a lot more pleasant as the weather here warms up.

 

[belljr]

Which Fitbit: water resistance

Sadly none of the Fitbit activity trackers can monitor your swimming, and you cant later log this fitness info into your numbers yourself. But you can at least wear your Flex in the shower, unlike the other Fitbits that are less happy getting wet.

I did wear my Flex while swimming and after a few months the rubber wristband did begin to perish a little, and my wife claims that it started to smell so best taken off for long periods of liquid submersion.

The Fitbit One, Zip and Force are splash proof, but should not be submerged more than one metre.

The Flex is water resistant, and can be submerged up to 10 metres.

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/features/gadget/3501231/which-fitbit-is-best-buy/

I've been looking at these the past several days.I really just need to know if I can wear the thing in the shower.

PIA to take it on/off.

BAsically my question as well. Looking to get it as a gift for my gf and it seems clear that the Force is probably the best, but yes, if there is little water-resistance, that is a pain and maybe the additional digital features are not worth it.

I opted for the Flex over the Force specifically so I don't have to take it off to shower. After a bunch of showers, it's still working flawlessly. The additional data available on the Force display is a nice benefit, but since I pretty much have my phone with me at all times to access the data, that really wasn't enough to overcome the benefit of being waterproof.

BB-when did you start using this, and how do you use it? I'm tempted if it will help incentive getting in shape, even if only a little. TIA

Have had it about a week. Have hit my 10k goal everyday, along with my daily 5 mile distance goal and 30 active minutes goal. But I've had to do 30 minutes on the treadmill every day to get there. The Fitbit app on the phone tracks everything in real time. As I mentioned up thread, I'm a bit OCD, do the obsession with getting all the bars green (meaning you achieved the goal) is a great motivator for me to exercise daily. (I've heard of people walking around the block at 11pm at night just do they can hit their goal for the day.). It's a genius motivator for someone like me.

I also purchased the Aria Fitbit wifi scale. So when I weigh myself each morning, it automatically logs my weight and body fat percentage in the Fitbit app and tracks it over time.

Yesterday was my first day logging food, so I'm still figuring out if that aspect of the app (tracking calorie intake and degicits) is worth the effort.

Thanks, very helpful. Re: the bolded, I saw that scale and was considering same. It's a stupid gadget maybe, but that's the kind of stuff I'm a sucker for, and it can tend to help get me motivated and adopting better habits.

The one thing that will annoy the crap out of me is logging food. I did that for a while when I was on MyFitnessPal and it worked, but I just found it so tedious/annoying. I'm curious to hear what your experience is like on that front.

May seriously consider jumping in on this with the scale by the end of the week.

re: the 10k number, that's been my experience. For office job guys like us, the only way to hit that number regularly is to supplement with exercise. I'm lucky in that sense in that my commute is a whole lot of walking, to a commuter rail, through the subway, through the city, so I end up getting into the 6-8k pretty much every normal day. And I can hit 10k on the days I go for added walks in the city (walk out for lunch, errands like a haircut or the bank). But in order to hit 10k regularly, I would need to supplement with some kind of a run each morning. Maybe I need exactly that incentive.

Super #### question of the day: how does the thing look? Does it look totally dorky and awful with business attire, or not too bad?

I found it pretty easy to hit 10K steps, but I worked about 2 miles from where I lived, so I just walked to and from work. A partner at the office I'm in now actually has a treadmill desk.

For you, could you try to catch the train a stop or two further away from your office? Or just take 20 minutes of the lunch you skip to walk a mile? You're there.

Yup, probably doable, so long as I make the time for a midday walk. Some days it's tough because I'll have a con call right at or around lunch hour that I'll need to be on or prep for, or I'll have a work lunch or something. I wish I had a distinct "free hour" every day at a given time, but some days it's tough.

But yeah, I suppose I need to start making time for a midday walk somewhere in the city. That will also be a lot more pleasant as the weather here warms up.

oats try the pedometer on your note and compare it

 

[Keerock]

A couple questions on the FitBit Flex...

1) How thick is it (how high will it sit on my wrist)? Some pictures on their website make it look like a LiveStrong, then others look like it's an inch thick.

2) How often does it need to be charged, and how long does it take to charge it?

 

[Otis]

oats try the pedometer on your note and compare it

Been using that and really like it (it's what got me wondering about all this). But during the workday I don't always carry it around with me -- it usually sits on my desk charging while I carry my work cell with me during the day. So I think something like the flex that is on my all the time will be a lot more accurate, and I wonder if there's added value in the "integration" with the fitbit scale etc.

 

[Otis]

A couple questions on the FitBit Flex...

1) How thick is it (how high will it sit on my wrist)? Some pictures on their website make it look like a LiveStrong, then others look like it's an inch thick.

2) How often does it need to be charged, and how long does it take to charge it?

Link above says the Flex has 5 days on a charge. That's pretty good. Shame it can't go a full week, that would be money, but charging twice a week isn't the end of the world.

 

[Ignoramus]

A couple questions on the FitBit Flex...

1) How thick is it (how high will it sit on my wrist)? Some pictures on their website make it look like a LiveStrong, then others look like it's an inch thick.

2) How often does it need to be charged, and how long does it take to charge it?

1) At its thickest point, it is 1cm thick. It tapers so most of it is about as thick as a LiveStrong but the part where the "brains" go is thicker. Here are a couple of shot of it on my wrist -- I wear beefy watches but this should give you some reference.http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/xranduio/fbg/B9FDAF88-BBC1-4381-8546-70496ABBA46F.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/xranduio/fbg/FC13D9BD-0707-442C-A5DA-F789EE84450B.jpg

2) I charge about once a week and it takes maybe 3-4 hours. I'll usually charge when I'm at the office sitting at my desk so I get credit for my more active times and don't do it overnight so I can track my sleep.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

oats try the pedometer on your note and compare it

Been using that and really like it (it's what got me wondering about all this). But during the workday I don't always carry it around with me -- it usually sits on my desk charging while I carry my work cell with me during the day. So I think something like the flex that is on my all the time will be a lot more accurate, and I wonder if there's added value in the "integration" with the fitbit scale etc.

I don't think there's much value added in the integration (the Jawbone UP) touts that as well. If you have any of the major workout/running/activity tracking programs on your phone (MapMyFitness or whatever) that integration is already there. And body fat measuring scales (which measure by electrical impedence) are inaccurate and crazy-making.

 

[Keerock]

A couple questions on the FitBit Flex...

1) How thick is it (how high will it sit on my wrist)? Some pictures on their website make it look like a LiveStrong, then others look like it's an inch thick.

2) How often does it need to be charged, and how long does it take to charge it?

1) At its thickest point, it is 1cm thick. It tapers so most of it is about as thick as a LiveStrong but the part where the "brains" go is thicker. Here are a couple of shot of it on my wrist -- I wear beefy watches but this should give you some reference.http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/xranduio/fbg/B9FDAF88-BBC1-4381-8546-70496ABBA46F.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/xranduio/fbg/FC13D9BD-0707-442C-A5DA-F789EE84450B.jpg

2) I charge about once a week and it takes maybe 3-4 hours. I'll usually charge when I'm at the office sitting at my desk so I get credit for my more active times and don't do it overnight so I can track my sleep.

Awesome. Thanks!

 

[bigbottom]

oats try the pedometer on your note and compare it

Been using that and really like it (it's what got me wondering about all this). But during the workday I don't always carry it around with me -- it usually sits on my desk charging while I carry my work cell with me during the day. So I think something like the flex that is on my all the time will be a lot more accurate, and I wonder if there's added value in the "integration" with the fitbit scale etc.

I don't think there's much value added in the integration (the Jawbone UP) touts that as well. If you have any of the major workout/running/activity tracking programs on your phone (MapMyFitness or whatever) that integration is already there. And body fat measuring scales (which measure by electrical impedence) are inaccurate and crazy-making.

But you'd still need a wifi scale, right? What I find useful about the Aria Fitbit scale is that I can weigh myself (usually before or after showering) and I don't have to go log my weight into my app. I needed a new scale anyway, so this seemed like a no brainer. As for the accuracy of body fat %, I have no doubt you're right.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

oats try the pedometer on your note and compare it

Been using that and really like it (it's what got me wondering about all this). But during the workday I don't always carry it around with me -- it usually sits on my desk charging while I carry my work cell with me during the day. So I think something like the flex that is on my all the time will be a lot more accurate, and I wonder if there's added value in the "integration" with the fitbit scale etc.

I don't think there's much value added in the integration (the Jawbone UP) touts that as well. If you have any of the major workout/running/activity tracking programs on your phone (MapMyFitness or whatever) that integration is already there. And body fat measuring scales (which measure by electrical impedence) are inaccurate and crazy-making.

But you'd still need a wifi scale, right? What I find useful about the Aria Fitbit scale is that I can weigh myself (usually before or after showering) and I don't have to go log my weight into my app. I needed a new scale anyway, so this seemed like a no brainer. As for the accuracy of body fat %, I have no doubt you're right.

Yeah, that's right. And if you're not logging food or something, I guess that's a plus. When I'm using any of these devices, I'm so obsessive that I'm in the app so much that it doesn't seem that big a deal to just dump the weight in.

 

[Keerock]

So now this is where the REAL FFA steps up...

any place I can get the FitBit Flex for less than the $99 price on the FitBit site?

 

[bentley]

Oh look. Otis has found a new group of fitness enthusiasts to pontifictae to at great length about things he already knows he should do. I'm sure this gadget/diet/etc will totally take the place of self-discipline and work this time.

I love my Force. It sits right next to my watch on my non-dominant hand. Once you've taken it on and off a few times it becomes easy to do quickly. I think the advantage of just being able to push a button and see the full range of display stats is worth 20 seconds of taking it off/putting it on in the shower.

Also, I love it so much that I'm refusing to send it back even though I have a rash from where it touches my skin. I will swap it out once they get the new version out.

 

[Wrigley]

So now this is where the REAL FFA steps up...

any place I can get the FitBit Flex for less than the $99 price on the FitBit site?

ebay?

Craigslist?

 

[Otis]

So now this is where the REAL FFA steps up...

any place I can get the FitBit Flex for less than the $99 price on the FitBit site?

I think I'm in for a Flex and the scale.

 

[Otis]

BB, I assume the scale allows for multiple people, so my wife can also use it if she wants to without screwing up my logging?

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

BB, I assume the scale allows for multiple people, so my wife can also use it if she wants to without screwing up my logging?

Fitbit site says the Aria recognizes up to 8 users.

 

[bigbottom]

BB, I assume the scale allows for multiple people, so my wife can also use it if she wants to without screwing up my logging?

Yeah, like RHE states, you can have multiple FitBit users. Actually, anyone can use it without a FitBit account and it will just work like a regular scale. But when someone steps on the scale wearing the Flex it will recognize the account and log the weight in as that user.

 

[Otis]

BB, I assume the scale allows for multiple people, so my wife can also use it if she wants to without screwing up my logging?

Yeah, like RHE states, you can have multiple FitBit users. Actually, anyone can use it without a FitBit account and it will just work like a regular scale. But when someone steps on the scale wearing the Flex it will recognize the account and log the weight in as that user.

That's pretty cool.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I wonder how soon it is before restaurants just offer a barcode to scan into your phone of certain menu items. I guess we already have picture recognition based calorie-estimators. But between wearable technology, GPS enabled smartphones, and Google Glass tech its probably already possible to pretty much track calorie/input output with some minimal accuracy without any real manual intervention. You can pretty much imagine a near future where your calories ingested/expended are constantly shown on Google Glass or something.

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

I wonder how soon it is before restaurants just offer a barcode to scan into your phone of certain menu items. I guess we already have picture recognition based calorie-estimators. But between wearable technology, GPS enabled smartphones, and Google Glass tech its probably already possible to pretty much track calorie/input output with some minimal accuracy without any real manual intervention. You can pretty much imagine a near future where your calories ingested/expended are constantly shown on Google Glass or something.

Next step is an unremovable shock collar that links up to your Google glass and zaps you every time you eat a donut.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I wonder how soon it is before restaurants just offer a barcode to scan into your phone of certain menu items. I guess we already have picture recognition based calorie-estimators. But between wearable technology, GPS enabled smartphones, and Google Glass tech its probably already possible to pretty much track calorie/input output with some minimal accuracy without any real manual intervention. You can pretty much imagine a near future where your calories ingested/expended are constantly shown on Google Glass or something.

Next step is an unremovable shock collar that links up to your Google glass and zaps you every time you eat a donut.

Or your phone just shame tweets you.

 

[Frank Drebin]

Just a heads up on these things....

My BIL got burned by the Fitbit flex; it literally burnt his wrist. Something about it being a toxicity burn or something like that. He's had a pretty big scabby looking rash for 3 weeks from where the battery sat on his wrist and another small spot where the charging port sat. Dr. told him expect it to last 4-6 weeks before totally clearing up.

Yeah, also see this post above: http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=702830&p=16567718

It might be a non-issue for a lot of people, but a problem for sensitive people.

My other concern on this is that if they are recalling these AND stopping sales of them, then I would assume they are also going to stop supporting them with updates. Never a good thing when you're electronics stop receiving any kind of software support.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I don't think Fitbit will stop support. They'll almost certainly re-release the Force. The software support is the same for the One and the Flex, so there's no reason to stop supporting the app and PC software.

 

[glock]

This is an option for our heath plan at work. I have it attached to my dog's collar.

 

[Otis]

So now this is where the REAL FFA steps up...

any place I can get the FitBit Flex for less than the $99 price on the FitBit site?

I think I'm in for a Flex and the scale.

Picked these up today.

 

[Keerock]

So now this is where the REAL FFA steps up...

any place I can get the FitBit Flex for less than the $99 price on the FitBit site?

I think I'm in for a Flex and the scale.

Picked these up today.

I ordered one for me, one for the wife, and one for my 20 year old son who wanted one.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Ordered one too. Hopefully it won't fry in 2 months like the UP did.

 

[culdeus]

I wonder how soon it is before restaurants just offer a barcode to scan into your phone of certain menu items. I guess we already have picture recognition based calorie-estimators. But between wearable technology, GPS enabled smartphones, and Google Glass tech its probably already possible to pretty much track calorie/input output with some minimal accuracy without any real manual intervention. You can pretty much imagine a near future where your calories ingested/expended are constantly shown on Google Glass or something.

IR Spec systems are already being tested which can distinguish the macro % in your food. If you can ballpark calories for it for awhile it eventually will basically passively monitor your intake.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I wonder how soon it is before restaurants just offer a barcode to scan into your phone of certain menu items. I guess we already have picture recognition based calorie-estimators. But between wearable technology, GPS enabled smartphones, and Google Glass tech its probably already possible to pretty much track calorie/input output with some minimal accuracy without any real manual intervention. You can pretty much imagine a near future where your calories ingested/expended are constantly shown on Google Glass or something.

IR Spec systems are already being tested which can distinguish the macro % in your food. If you can ballpark calories for it for awhile it eventually will basically passively monitor your intake.

The thing is, I think accuracy is mostly beside the point. Before these newer, less goofy systems, I wore a Body Media armband for a while. It was supposed to have a more accurate algorithm for calories burned (because it measured temperature and had an altimeter and multiple accelerometers). But I suspect it wasn't really accurate. It didn't matter, because the very act of counting made me take the stairs or walk to the salad place that was 2 blocks further away from the closest salad place.

I think it's the same with food. I doubt I log it all that accurately. But if I log it, I know I eat less of it.

 

[Da Guru]

Just use the Nike Free running app. Hit start and it will track how far you go and the route the whole time it is on. Just make sure it is not on in a car or subway and it will track that as well.

I had over 1500 miles walk/run and it breaks it down by your best mile, you best 5K, 10K, marathon how many day you ran or walked in a given month.

Then I forget to turn it off after a run. Drove 40 miles and when I looked at my phone it said I had smashed all my records for fastest times in every category.

 

[Keerock]

Just use the Nike Free running app. Hit start and it will track how far you go and the route the whole time it is on. Just make sure it is not on in a car or subway and it will track that as well.

I had over 1500 miles walk/run and it breaks it down by your best mile, you best 5K, 10K, marathon how many day you ran or walked in a given month.

Then I forget to turn it off after a run. Drove 40 miles and when I looked at my phone it said I had smashed all my records for fastest times in every category.

Congrats!

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I have the Nike app and Map My Fitness and maybe even RunTracker. I think all the GPS based apps work. Only Nike has Lindsey Vonn congratulating me after a 5K, but as she didn't offer a celebratory snuggle, I found that less of a selling point.

I can't decide whether the whole "Fuel Points" eco system is stupid or brilliant. In effect, it completely insulates Nike from any criticisms about accuracy. Nobody knows what a Fuel Point is, but it's better to get more of them. It's kind of like the fitness equivalent of cricket.

 

[Keerock]

I have the Nike app and Map My Fitness and maybe even RunTracker. I think all the GPS based apps work. Only Nike has Lindsey Vonn congratulating me after a 5K, but as she didn't offer a celebratory snuggle, I found that less of a selling point.

I can't decide whether the whole "Fuel Points" eco system is stupid or brilliant. In effect, it completely insulates Nike from any criticisms about accuracy. Nobody knows what a Fuel Point is, but it's better to get more of them. It's kind of like the fitness equivalent of cricket.

Any chance those crickets are chocolate covered?

 

[culdeus]

I wonder how soon it is before restaurants just offer a barcode to scan into your phone of certain menu items. I guess we already have picture recognition based calorie-estimators. But between wearable technology, GPS enabled smartphones, and Google Glass tech its probably already possible to pretty much track calorie/input output with some minimal accuracy without any real manual intervention. You can pretty much imagine a near future where your calories ingested/expended are constantly shown on Google Glass or something.

IR Spec systems are already being tested which can distinguish the macro % in your food. If you can ballpark calories for it for awhile it eventually will basically passively monitor your intake.

The thing is, I think accuracy is mostly beside the point. Before these newer, less goofy systems, I wore a Body Media armband for a while. It was supposed to have a more accurate algorithm for calories burned (because it measured temperature and had an altimeter and multiple accelerometers). But I suspect it wasn't really accurate. It didn't matter, because the very act of counting made me take the stairs or walk to the salad place that was 2 blocks further away from the closest salad place.

I think it's the same with food. I doubt I log it all that accurately. But if I log it, I know I eat less of it.

Everyone logs food with a bias. As long as that bias is consistent it doesn't matter, you will come to some level of equilibrium after about 6 weeks.

I suspect macro bands as they will come to be known will also settle into a bias and ultimately an equilibrium.

 

[bigbottom]

Thanks, very helpful. Re: the bolded, I saw that scale and was considering same. It's a stupid gadget maybe, but that's the kind of stuff I'm a sucker for, and it can tend to help get me motivated and adopting better habits.

The one thing that will annoy the crap out of me is logging food. I did that for a while when I was on MyFitnessPal and it worked, but I just found it so tedious/annoying. I'm curious to hear what your experience is like on that front.

May seriously consider jumping in on this with the scale by the end of the week.

re: the 10k number, that's been my experience. For office job guys like us, the only way to hit that number regularly is to supplement with exercise. I'm lucky in that sense in that my commute is a whole lot of walking, to a commuter rail, through the subway, through the city, so I end up getting into the 6-8k pretty much every normal day. And I can hit 10k on the days I go for added walks in the city (walk out for lunch, errands like a haircut or the bank). But in order to hit 10k regularly, I would need to supplement with some kind of a run each morning. Maybe I need exactly that incentive.

Super #### question of the day: how does the thing look? Does it look totally dorky and awful with business attire, or not too bad?

I found it pretty easy to hit 10K steps, but I worked about 2 miles from where I lived, so I just walked to and from work. A partner at the office I'm in now actually has a treadmill desk.

For you, could you try to catch the train a stop or two further away from your office? Or just take 20 minutes of the lunch you skip to walk a mile? You're there.

Yup, probably doable, so long as I make the time for a midday walk. Some days it's tough because I'll have a con call right at or around lunch hour that I'll need to be on or prep for, or I'll have a work lunch or something. I wish I had a distinct "free hour" every day at a given time, but some days it's tough.

But yeah, I suppose I need to start making time for a midday walk somewhere in the city. That will also be a lot more pleasant as the weather here warms up.

The additional walking will get you to your 10,000 steps goal and your 5.0 miles goal, but likely not your 30 active minutes goal. That takes something more than walking.

 

[bigbottom]

So now this is where the REAL FFA steps up...

any place I can get the FitBit Flex for less than the $99 price on the FitBit site?

I think I'm in for a Flex and the scale.

Picked these up today.

Got it up and running yet?

 

[Otis]

So now this is where the REAL FFA steps up...

any place I can get the FitBit Flex for less than the $99 price on the FitBit site?

I think I'm in for a Flex and the scale.

Picked these up today.

Got it up and running yet?

All fired up. Pretty cool. Love the way the scale works, so easy. Have my account hooked up, and the Flex hooked up to my Galaxy phone. Cruising.

Another neat benefit I didn't know about -- the silent alarm. So awesome. Normally I had my phone alarm going off at 6 so I could go downstairs for a quick 15 minute workout to start the day. Problem is it would wake up everyone else too. The vibrating bracelet is a much nicer way to wake up.

I won't get a sense for the pedometer count until I go back to work and my normal routine next week. But already, comparing it with the count on the S-Health app on my phone, and it's capturing a lot more steps than my phone does (because of how much I leave the phone sitting somewhere during the day).

Again, these numbers aren't a typical day, but the Flex has me at 2760 steps, my Galaxy phone has me at 2285. That 500 missing steps will probably multiply by 3 or 4 in a normal workday, so I may be a lot closer to 10k on a regular basis than I had thought.

 

[James Daulton]

I wonder how soon it is before restaurants just offer a barcode to scan into your phone of certain menu items. I guess we already have picture recognition based calorie-estimators. But between wearable technology, GPS enabled smartphones, and Google Glass tech its probably already possible to pretty much track calorie/input output with some minimal accuracy without any real manual intervention. You can pretty much imagine a near future where your calories ingested/expended are constantly shown on Google Glass or something.

IR Spec systems are already being tested which can distinguish the macro % in your food. If you can ballpark calories for it for awhile it eventually will basically passively monitor your intake.

The thing is, I think accuracy is mostly beside the point. Before these newer, less goofy systems, I wore a Body Media armband for a while. It was supposed to have a more accurate algorithm for calories burned (because it measured temperature and had an altimeter and multiple accelerometers). But I suspect it wasn't really accurate. It didn't matter, because the very act of counting made me take the stairs or walk to the salad place that was 2 blocks further away from the closest salad place.

I think it's the same with food. I doubt I log it all that accurately. But if I log it, I know I eat less of it.

Disagree with Body Media not being accurate. I have a body bugg that I'll pull out from time to time, and I find it really accurate. It certainly knows if I'm sitting at my desk, working out, or simply taking a leisurely stroll. I've also worn it for 24 hours just doing my normal thing, no workout, and the calorie burn was remarkably close to an online TDEE calculator.

 

[Otis]

So now this is where the REAL FFA steps up...

any place I can get the FitBit Flex for less than the $99 price on the FitBit site?

I think I'm in for a Flex and the scale.

Picked these up today.

Got it up and running yet?

Oh and it also confirmed 5 hours and change of sleep. Thanks new baby!

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I wonder how soon it is before restaurants just offer a barcode to scan into your phone of certain menu items. I guess we already have picture recognition based calorie-estimators. But between wearable technology, GPS enabled smartphones, and Google Glass tech its probably already possible to pretty much track calorie/input output with some minimal accuracy without any real manual intervention. You can pretty much imagine a near future where your calories ingested/expended are constantly shown on Google Glass or something.

IR Spec systems are already being tested which can distinguish the macro % in your food. If you can ballpark calories for it for awhile it eventually will basically passively monitor your intake.

The thing is, I think accuracy is mostly beside the point. Before these newer, less goofy systems, I wore a Body Media armband for a while. It was supposed to have a more accurate algorithm for calories burned (because it measured temperature and had an altimeter and multiple accelerometers). But I suspect it wasn't really accurate. It didn't matter, because the very act of counting made me take the stairs or walk to the salad place that was 2 blocks further away from the closest salad place.

I think it's the same with food. I doubt I log it all that accurately. But if I log it, I know I eat less of it.

Disagree with Body Media not being accurate. I have a body bugg that I'll pull out from time to time, and I find it really accurate. It certainly knows if I'm sitting at my desk, working out, or simply taking a leisurely stroll. I've also worn it for 24 hours just doing my normal thing, no workout, and the calorie burn was remarkably close to an online TDEE calculator.

Comparing it to an online calculator really doesn't gauge the accuracy. You're comparing one algorithm to another algorithm. I wasn't disputing that the Body Bugg knows when you're moving. I'm disputing that it can take that data and come up with an accurate count of calories burned. All of those estimates, online calculators, fitness machines, etc. are just running data through an algorithm. Those algorithms are rough guides developed without the benefit of a Basal Metabolic Rate Test.

 

[Wrigley]

Fitbit scale $104

w/code: 126TAKE20

 

[The Flying Turtle]

I was worried about wearing the band all day so I bought the FitBit zip. It is a very small unit and I wear it on my waist on the inside of the pants. I don't notice it and nobody else can even see it.

It does everything the Flex does (except sleep) plus it has a display for $40 less.

It is not rechargeable though. They say the battery will last about 6 months.

 

[James Daulton]

I wonder how soon it is before restaurants just offer a barcode to scan into your phone of certain menu items. I guess we already have picture recognition based calorie-estimators. But between wearable technology, GPS enabled smartphones, and Google Glass tech its probably already possible to pretty much track calorie/input output with some minimal accuracy without any real manual intervention. You can pretty much imagine a near future where your calories ingested/expended are constantly shown on Google Glass or something.

IR Spec systems are already being tested which can distinguish the macro % in your food. If you can ballpark calories for it for awhile it eventually will basically passively monitor your intake.

The thing is, I think accuracy is mostly beside the point. Before these newer, less goofy systems, I wore a Body Media armband for a while. It was supposed to have a more accurate algorithm for calories burned (because it measured temperature and had an altimeter and multiple accelerometers). But I suspect it wasn't really accurate. It didn't matter, because the very act of counting made me take the stairs or walk to the salad place that was 2 blocks further away from the closest salad place.

I think it's the same with food. I doubt I log it all that accurately. But if I log it, I know I eat less of it.

Disagree with Body Media not being accurate. I have a body bugg that I'll pull out from time to time, and I find it really accurate. It certainly knows if I'm sitting at my desk, working out, or simply taking a leisurely stroll. I've also worn it for 24 hours just doing my normal thing, no workout, and the calorie burn was remarkably close to an online TDEE calculator.

Comparing it to an online calculator really doesn't gauge the accuracy. You're comparing one algorithm to another algorithm. I wasn't disputing that the Body Bugg knows when you're moving. I'm disputing that it can take that data and come up with an accurate count of calories burned. All of those estimates, online calculators, fitness machines, etc. are just running data through an algorithm. Those algorithms are rough guides developed without the benefit of a Basal Metabolic Rate Test.

You're dismissing the bodybugg much to quickly. The bodybugg™ has 4 main measurement components: 1) accelerometer, 2) heat flux, 3) galvanic skin response, 4) skin temperature. Our technology partner, BodyMedia, has spent the past 5 years optimizing all of these sensors, and fine-tuning algorithms that take the data to determine actual calorie expenditure. In studies, when comparing calorie expenditure measurements from the armband device to calorie expenditure measurements in a metabolic chamber (the “gold standard” of calorie expenditure measurement), the bodybugg™ armband achieved average accuracy rates of 92%.

Even assuming a 90% accuracy rate, that still +- 250 calories (on a 2,500 burn). Accurate enough to work with.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I wonder how soon it is before restaurants just offer a barcode to scan into your phone of certain menu items. I guess we already have picture recognition based calorie-estimators. But between wearable technology, GPS enabled smartphones, and Google Glass tech its probably already possible to pretty much track calorie/input output with some minimal accuracy without any real manual intervention. You can pretty much imagine a near future where your calories ingested/expended are constantly shown on Google Glass or something.

IR Spec systems are already being tested which can distinguish the macro % in your food. If you can ballpark calories for it for awhile it eventually will basically passively monitor your intake.

The thing is, I think accuracy is mostly beside the point. Before these newer, less goofy systems, I wore a Body Media armband for a while. It was supposed to have a more accurate algorithm for calories burned (because it measured temperature and had an altimeter and multiple accelerometers). But I suspect it wasn't really accurate. It didn't matter, because the very act of counting made me take the stairs or walk to the salad place that was 2 blocks further away from the closest salad place.

I think it's the same with food. I doubt I log it all that accurately. But if I log it, I know I eat less of it.

Disagree with Body Media not being accurate. I have a body bugg that I'll pull out from time to time, and I find it really accurate. It certainly knows if I'm sitting at my desk, working out, or simply taking a leisurely stroll. I've also worn it for 24 hours just doing my normal thing, no workout, and the calorie burn was remarkably close to an online TDEE calculator.

Comparing it to an online calculator really doesn't gauge the accuracy. You're comparing one algorithm to another algorithm. I wasn't disputing that the Body Bugg knows when you're moving. I'm disputing that it can take that data and come up with an accurate count of calories burned. All of those estimates, online calculators, fitness machines, etc. are just running data through an algorithm. Those algorithms are rough guides developed without the benefit of a Basal Metabolic Rate Test.

You're dismissing the bodybugg much to quickly. The bodybugg™ has 4 main measurement components: 1) accelerometer, 2) heat flux, 3) galvanic skin response, 4) skin temperature. Our technology partner, BodyMedia, has spent the past 5 years optimizing all of these sensors, and fine-tuning algorithms that take the data to determine actual calorie expenditure. In studies, when comparing calorie expenditure measurements from the armband device to calorie expenditure measurements in a metabolic chamber (the “gold standard” of calorie expenditure measurement), the bodybugg™ armband achieved average accuracy rates of 92%.

Even assuming a 90% accuracy rate, that still +- 250 calories (on a 2,500 burn). Accurate enough to work with.

Yeah, I had read that when I used it. The thing is that I've not reviewed that study and I'm always leery of marketing puffery. Without knowing exactly what the subjects did in the chamber, and how comprehensive the study was, I just don't think the accuracy has been proven. Again, I don't think it really matters. Food logging isn't very accurate on the other end either.

 

[culdeus]

I wonder how soon it is before restaurants just offer a barcode to scan into your phone of certain menu items. I guess we already have picture recognition based calorie-estimators. But between wearable technology, GPS enabled smartphones, and Google Glass tech its probably already possible to pretty much track calorie/input output with some minimal accuracy without any real manual intervention. You can pretty much imagine a near future where your calories ingested/expended are constantly shown on Google Glass or something.

IR Spec systems are already being tested which can distinguish the macro % in your food. If you can ballpark calories for it for awhile it eventually will basically passively monitor your intake.

The thing is, I think accuracy is mostly beside the point. Before these newer, less goofy systems, I wore a Body Media armband for a while. It was supposed to have a more accurate algorithm for calories burned (because it measured temperature and had an altimeter and multiple accelerometers). But I suspect it wasn't really accurate. It didn't matter, because the very act of counting made me take the stairs or walk to the salad place that was 2 blocks further away from the closest salad place.

I think it's the same with food. I doubt I log it all that accurately. But if I log it, I know I eat less of it.

Disagree with Body Media not being accurate. I have a body bugg that I'll pull out from time to time, and I find it really accurate. It certainly knows if I'm sitting at my desk, working out, or simply taking a leisurely stroll. I've also worn it for 24 hours just doing my normal thing, no workout, and the calorie burn was remarkably close to an online TDEE calculator.

Comparing it to an online calculator really doesn't gauge the accuracy. You're comparing one algorithm to another algorithm. I wasn't disputing that the Body Bugg knows when you're moving. I'm disputing that it can take that data and come up with an accurate count of calories burned. All of those estimates, online calculators, fitness machines, etc. are just running data through an algorithm. Those algorithms are rough guides developed without the benefit of a Basal Metabolic Rate Test.

You're dismissing the bodybugg much to quickly. The bodybugg™ has 4 main measurement components: 1) accelerometer, 2) heat flux, 3) galvanic skin response, 4) skin temperature. Our technology partner, BodyMedia, has spent the past 5 years optimizing all of these sensors, and fine-tuning algorithms that take the data to determine actual calorie expenditure. In studies, when comparing calorie expenditure measurements from the armband device to calorie expenditure measurements in a metabolic chamber (the “gold standard” of calorie expenditure measurement), the bodybugg™ armband achieved average accuracy rates of 92%.

Even assuming a 90% accuracy rate, that still +- 250 calories (on a 2,500 burn). Accurate enough to work with.

Interesting. I had no idea they took that much effort with this.

 

[James Daulton]

I wonder how soon it is before restaurants just offer a barcode to scan into your phone of certain menu items. I guess we already have picture recognition based calorie-estimators. But between wearable technology, GPS enabled smartphones, and Google Glass tech its probably already possible to pretty much track calorie/input output with some minimal accuracy without any real manual intervention. You can pretty much imagine a near future where your calories ingested/expended are constantly shown on Google Glass or something.

IR Spec systems are already being tested which can distinguish the macro % in your food. If you can ballpark calories for it for awhile it eventually will basically passively monitor your intake.

The thing is, I think accuracy is mostly beside the point. Before these newer, less goofy systems, I wore a Body Media armband for a while. It was supposed to have a more accurate algorithm for calories burned (because it measured temperature and had an altimeter and multiple accelerometers). But I suspect it wasn't really accurate. It didn't matter, because the very act of counting made me take the stairs or walk to the salad place that was 2 blocks further away from the closest salad place.

I think it's the same with food. I doubt I log it all that accurately. But if I log it, I know I eat less of it.

Disagree with Body Media not being accurate. I have a body bugg that I'll pull out from time to time, and I find it really accurate. It certainly knows if I'm sitting at my desk, working out, or simply taking a leisurely stroll. I've also worn it for 24 hours just doing my normal thing, no workout, and the calorie burn was remarkably close to an online TDEE calculator.

Comparing it to an online calculator really doesn't gauge the accuracy. You're comparing one algorithm to another algorithm. I wasn't disputing that the Body Bugg knows when you're moving. I'm disputing that it can take that data and come up with an accurate count of calories burned. All of those estimates, online calculators, fitness machines, etc. are just running data through an algorithm. Those algorithms are rough guides developed without the benefit of a Basal Metabolic Rate Test.

You're dismissing the bodybugg much to quickly. The bodybugg™ has 4 main measurement components: 1) accelerometer, 2) heat flux, 3) galvanic skin response, 4) skin temperature. Our technology partner, BodyMedia, has spent the past 5 years optimizing all of these sensors, and fine-tuning algorithms that take the data to determine actual calorie expenditure. In studies, when comparing calorie expenditure measurements from the armband device to calorie expenditure measurements in a metabolic chamber (the “gold standard” of calorie expenditure measurement), the bodybugg™ armband achieved average accuracy rates of 92%.

Even assuming a 90% accuracy rate, that still +- 250 calories (on a 2,500 burn). Accurate enough to work with.

Interesting. I had no idea they took that much effort with this.

Along with MFP, it's been the single most effective tool I've used to get a handle on weight loss. It has enabled me to really get a good grip on my calorie output and now when I workout, take a walk, cook, etc, I have a real good idea of my burn. I'd recommend it to anyone seriously interested in monitoring their caloric expenditure.

 

[-jb-]

A couple questions on the FitBit Flex...

1) How thick is it (how high will it sit on my wrist)? Some pictures on their website make it look like a LiveStrong, then others look like it's an inch thick.

2) How often does it need to be charged, and how long does it take to charge it?

1) At its thickest point, it is 1cm thick. It tapers so most of it is about as thick as a LiveStrong but the part where the "brains" go is thicker. Here are a couple of shot of it on my wrist -- I wear beefy watches but this should give you some reference.http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/xranduio/fbg/B9FDAF88-BBC1-4381-8546-70496ABBA46F.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/xranduio/fbg/FC13D9BD-0707-442C-A5DA-F789EE84450B.jpg

2) I charge about once a week and it takes maybe 3-4 hours. I'll usually charge when I'm at the office sitting at my desk so I get credit for my more active times and don't do it overnight so I can track my sleep.

Nice roadie

 

[St. Louis Bob]

I use this. I've lost too many pedometers and it's easier to accurately map your route. Peace.