Author Topic: fitness watches ... useful?  (Read 3232 times)

albireo13

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fitness watches ... useful?
« on: April 11, 2016, 09:42:27 AM »
I want to increase my level of fitness this summer, and drop some weight as well.
I am 60 yo, 195lb, and 5'-11".  I want to drop at least 15 lbs.
I used to be a runner but had a hip replacement 8 years ago so, have dropped that activity.
I was doing well then last year I had my thyroid removed (cancer) and am on thyroid meds now.
I've noticed a drop in my energy level so, it is a struggle getting back into shape.

  Anyway, I am thinking of trying one of these fitness watches to track my activity level, provide some progress feedback, and just get me motivated.
I will be concentrating on biking, hiking, and power walking.

Has anyone here used these?   Are these useful or, just another gadget?
Is the FitBit a good choice?


Thx,
Rob

hypocrispy

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Re: fitness watches ... useful?
« Reply #1 on: April 11, 2016, 10:05:04 AM »
For me personally, I've always found that if I can't motivate myself without a $100 device I won't be able to with one.

Make sure you think carefully about what exactly this device would be doing that will motivate you. Is there a way that you can recreate it to build up steam towards your goal before committing to the purchase? Number of days walking/biking/hiking a certain track with known distance, for example, will let you track your miles. Maybe not ideal, but better than a device to gather dust. That may not be an issue for you, but definitely has been for me in the past.

All that being said, I just purchased a FitBit Alta for $25 by taking advantage of a work sponsored wellness program. You may want to look into those to see if you have any available that will provide a discount on the purchase of a fitness tracker.

Good luck with all your fitness goals!

albireo13

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Re: fitness watches ... useful?
« Reply #2 on: April 11, 2016, 10:10:58 AM »
I think it would be useful in tracking my walking.  If I can measure my activity levels it will motivate me more.
I just don't want to drop more than about $100 for one.   



SeanMC

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Re: fitness watches ... useful?
« Reply #3 on: April 11, 2016, 10:25:24 AM »
Get a pedometer. It should cost you $5. Maybe $10 if you get a fancy one.

I have a fancier device, and 95% of the benefit comes from the built-in pedometer anyway.

Within 1-2 months, you'll see if it: (1) tells you something about your fitness; (2) motivates you do change your behavior; and (3) is missing something you need from a pricier device.

Cassie

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Re: fitness watches ... useful?
« Reply #4 on: April 11, 2016, 02:56:32 PM »
I used a Fitbit to help me drop 40lbs. I used it to track my calories in and fitness- # of steps per day and at what level.  My insurance company bought it for me and I had no desire for one but then it really helped me. When it died after a year I bought another. the first ones that came on the market did not last very long but that has changed.

sheepstache

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Re: fitness watches ... useful?
« Reply #5 on: April 11, 2016, 03:00:18 PM »
Do you have a smart phone? Just get one of the apps that tracks your walking. True, the watches are more accurate, but the phone app will give you an idea whether a tracking device helps motivate you or not.

sunnyca

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Re: fitness watches ... useful?
« Reply #6 on: April 11, 2016, 03:09:42 PM »
It depends on the type of person you are. I have a smart watch that includes a pedometer function, and it was extremely helpful in my losing a significant amount of weight. It was nice since it synced to MyFitnessPal, etc.

I have coworkers that have Fitbits and they're extremely competitive, so for them, having the step counter in conjunction with seeing their friends' steps has been great. I've even known them to pull over and start walking so that they could increase their step count. A little obsessive, but it works for them.

Dicey

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Re: fitness watches ... useful?
« Reply #7 on: April 12, 2016, 07:13:54 AM »
Ha! My mustachian solution was to find a walking partner who is less mustachian than I. When we walk together thrice weekly, her fitbit keeps track of my steps vicariously, lol. It does seem useful, but I don't feel the need to own one directly.

Jschange

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Re: fitness watches ... useful?
« Reply #8 on: April 12, 2016, 07:38:38 AM »
I was gifted an extra one.
I love love love tracking my sleep with it.

I like having an idea of what my sedentary (300 step) normal (5000) normal with a tiny walk because the bus is slow 7-10 000) and deliberately active (9-25000) days are.

I wear it about two weeks a month, and it helps with lifestyle but not weight loss. Some people have found they completely change their lives.

It also has a new feature that let's me set goals of steps per hour which is cool.