Poll

I'd like to buy a used Fitbit ($50Cnd)  I think it'll encourage me to walk/bike more.

yes, buy a used Fitbit for $50
33 (19.8%)
Monitor kijiji for a month or more first to ensure best possible deal
2 (1.2%)
Pay off $20,000 line of credit (8%) first
72 (43.1%)
Not necessary. Just use the ap on your phone
60 (35.9%)

Total Members Voted: 166

Voting closed: March 07, 2018, 09:10:34 PM

Author Topic: Permission to buy a Fitbit  (Read 14021 times)

BabyStash

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Permission to buy a Fitbit
« on: February 05, 2018, 09:10:34 PM »
I'm interested in buying a Fitbit. I hardly walk or bike anywhere, but I want to change that. I am competitive though, and a few of my siblings have them and do challenges with each other. I hope to do more walking and biking when the snow melts. I live in a rural area in Canada. The closest town is 7km  no grocery store, but there is a variety store, post office, library, hardware store. So I can see myself biking to town more often. I found a Fitbit on Kijiji (Canadian Craigslist) for $50. I downloaded the ap on my phone. But I don't like carrying my phone around with me all the time.

accolay

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #1 on: February 05, 2018, 09:55:07 PM »
Sounds like you want one and are attempting to justify it.

I wouldn't since it's more crap to clutter up life and time and something to throw away when it breaks. Plus the phone is paid for.

letired

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #2 on: February 05, 2018, 09:59:10 PM »
That's a negatory space captain, especially with that much high-interest debt.

Complainy-pants: I don't like carrying my phone with me everywhere.

Mustachian: There are a million free phone apps that let me track any aspect of my fitness I could possibly imagine!

Peachtea

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #3 on: February 06, 2018, 06:33:42 AM »
20k at 8%??? https://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/04/18/news-flash-your-debt-is-an-emergency/

1) The first rule of becoming more active is to not buy a bunch of crap to be more active. It’s just a passive way to feel like you’re doing something when your not. Instead throw on your boots and go for a walk. Or google body weight exercises you can do in your house for free with household things you already own.

2) The effectiveness of fitbits is questionable https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/09/20/494631423/weight-loss-on-your-wrist-fitness-trackers-may-not-help

3) You don’t need to carry your phone. Use the MapMyRun website to calculate your distances when you get home. And consider using a paper and pen method to log your activities. It might motivate you more if it’s somewhere you see it daily, rather than something you have to log into.

inline five

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #4 on: February 06, 2018, 06:52:40 AM »
I lost 50 lbs and never once tracked my daily habits.

Dee18

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #5 on: February 06, 2018, 06:59:13 AM »
Do it the old fashioned way.  Pick several walking routes you like and measure them, by car or by using your phone.  Carry your phone a couple days at work and see how much you usually walk there.  Now with simple math you can estimate your daily walking. Record it on your calendar.
« Last Edit: February 06, 2018, 11:42:24 AM by Dee18 »

ReadySetMillionaire

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #6 on: February 06, 2018, 07:02:24 AM »
I'll tell you what my wife tells me whenever I want something fitness related -- make it a habit for three months before you buy it.

The logic works because, as a threshold matter, it's silly to think that buying something will change your behavior.  You have to change your behavior first.

Then, once you've changed your behavior, you realize you didn't need that consumerist gizmo in the first place.

Sibley

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #7 on: February 06, 2018, 07:53:51 AM »
ReadySetMillionaire - that's genius.

OP, park your car and put the keys in ice. And pay off that debt.

CheapskateWife

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #8 on: February 06, 2018, 07:56:51 AM »
I tried this fitbit thing and found that it didn't add value to MY life.  However, you may find that it does add value to yours.  And isn't that what this is all about, determining what is of value to you and spending your resources there?

Oh and that debt...you get a facepunch for that right there!  You should be asking the community how to better tackle that!

MayDay

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #9 on: February 06, 2018, 08:29:52 AM »
I was in the yes camp until I saw the debt.

I use mine instead of a watch so it isn't more stuff.

They fail at about the 1 year mark so I'd want to know exactly how old the used one is.

Consider the cheaper models, new. I have seen older models at tjmaxx for 30$.

GuitarStv

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #10 on: February 06, 2018, 08:30:22 AM »
Denied.

zygote

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #11 on: February 06, 2018, 08:38:20 AM »
I agree with ReadySetMillionaire.

I started running this fall, and finally decided to ask for a fitbit for Christmas. I didn't buy it for the steps, though. I requested the slightly more expensive one that monitors heart rate. In my situation:

1) I had been consistently running three times a week for several months and was confident I would keep it up.

2) I was noticing that I felt like crap quicker than expected and wanted to know whether I was being a wimp. Turns out I'm just that out of shape and my heart rate was actually getting up to dangerous levels for a novice (80-90% of max heart rate). So I really appreciate the heart rate monitor when running. I can see when my heart rate is creeping up too high and slow down before I feel like garbage. I can run longer and I feel better afterwards.

3) The steps are totally not accurate. It thinks you're taking a step anytime you move your arm. I'll stand at my kitchen chopping veggies and it thinks I've taken 100 steps...no. Putting my phone in my pocket and monitoring steps that way is better. It's what I used to do before I got the fitbit. As for the challenges with your family? My friend does those, and when she's behind for the day, she just waves her arm around in bed until she beats their number. Not exactly a great fitness routine.

For the record, the moral of the story is not to go spend more money on a fitbit heart rate monitor. The moral of the story is to build your habits and use your (more accurate!) phone step count to motivate you. If you still really want it and see how it could be useful after you've built the habit, and you've made progress on the debt, maybe.

Just Joe

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #12 on: February 06, 2018, 08:42:49 AM »
Does it need to be the Fitbit brand? There are many other brands that can be had at a lower cost.

Same with smart phones. You can buy a Samsung Galaxy or Apple iPhone or you can shop Motorola/Asus/Blackberry/Sony/Lenovo/Huawei/etc.


Morning Glory

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #13 on: February 06, 2018, 08:52:32 AM »
Reward yourself with the Fitbit after you have paid off the debt. 8% is high. I like my Fitbit but others are right about them failing after a year. I also don't pay for phone data so I use it instead of a GPS app to track running miles. And I don't have any debt besides my mortgage.
I'm not sure if this works in Canada, but in the US you can link your Fitbit to your Walgreens account and get points for your miles. You also can sign up for Achievemint and get a reward once in a while for selling your data. Between these things you might get $20 or $30 back in a year.

BabyStash

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #14 on: February 06, 2018, 09:03:58 AM »
Wow this forum is much better than the Facebook group I'm in. I deserved s face punch and no one there gave me one. It's all "if it improves your health than go for it". I decided to just use the phone for the fun challenges with the family or for walking to town. I'd take my phone with me when walking on the road anyways. You guys are right; Buying a gadget won't change behaviour. I hope to pay off that debt in a year. If I still desire it at that time then maybe I'll get it.

ketchup

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #15 on: February 06, 2018, 09:24:06 AM »
Personally, I have one because my health insurance (United Healthcare) bribes me to use one.  I get deposits into my HSA based on my activity levels up to a max of $3/day ($57 in January).

My girlfriend has one and it helped her lose 50lbs over the course of about five months.  It was far from the only reason she was able to do that (she also did some interval training and 3x/week weightlifting, plus she maintained a constant calorie deficit with food as nutrient-dense as possible), but it helped.  Being able to cross the 10,000 step goal literally every day since owning the thing (with the exception of two days where she was injured and could barely move) helped her stay the course. 

Sleep tracking is also nifty, and helps keep us honest about how much sleep we're both getting.  It's not perfect; it thought I took a two-hour nap when I went to go see the new Star Wars in December.

A hundred bucks or whatever is nothing compared to the long term benefits of say, dropping 50lbs, but spending that hundred bucks won't magically put you in better shape.  It has to be part of a larger effort.  Only you can know whether that's true.  I like the strategy someone mentioned of developing the habit before you buy a tracker.  Look on Craigslist at all the barely-used fitness equipment available.  It's really easy to buy stuff in the name of fitness, pat yourself on the back for being so responsible, and then proceed to not use it.

The step count is definitely not 100% accurate, but it's a lot better than the phone apps everyone keeps bringing up.  The only way you can make those accurate is to have your smartphone in your pocket during 100% of your waking hours.  I certainly don't do that, nor would I want to.

CSuzette

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #16 on: February 06, 2018, 09:25:05 AM »
Someone just gave me one. So I guess I will at least have to try to use it. :)

zygote

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #17 on: February 06, 2018, 09:36:06 AM »
Great choice, Razor burn! Glad to hear you're holding off.

A tip for you and everyone else who may shop at Walgreens/Duane Reade...you can link the steps your phone counts to the Walgreens app to get the coupons. I used to max out the points with the phone step counter before I ever had the fitbit. I don't remember how to set it up since it was a while ago, but it's worth trying.

FireHiker

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #18 on: February 06, 2018, 09:58:42 AM »
I voted to pay off the debt first. If you still want it after the debt is gone, then it's a reasonable enough frivolous purchase. At 8% though, OMG, no one should be telling you to "go for it" on any spending that isn't essential, yikes!

I am on my second fitbit and I LOVE it, but like another poster I have incentive through the "wellness" thing at work to use it. We get HSA money from our employer based on activity and it's easier to track with a fitness monitor. We actually won a cash prize last year (or the year before?) when our "team" had the most steps in the entire company, so that prize more than paid for the cost of it. I'm not sure I'll replace the second one when it dies, but I might. I don't know that they all die at one year though. I had a Fitbit One that lasted for 3+ years before the battery life really went downhill and it quit syncing consistently. I replaced it with a Flex 2 over a year ago and it's still just fine, although it's so tiny that it has to be charged a lot more often. I find the sleep tracking depressing though. I know I'm a crappy sleeper. Seeing it on a graph is just even more depressing.

My husband did get a Garmin with HR monitor for his running. I gave him a hard time about it because it was WAY more than my fitbit, but two years later he's still running consistently. He was a pretty sedentary couch potato prior, so I'm still amazed that he is keeping the running up. He really likes looking at his run data afterwards. If that is what it takes for him to be active, then it's worth it, but we don't have any consumer debt.

alanB

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #19 on: February 06, 2018, 10:17:42 AM »
You guys are right; Buying a gadget won't change behaviour. I hope to pay off that debt in a year. If I still desire it at that time then maybe I'll get it.
Unless you are Batman you do not need gadgets.  You can do more with your brain and your body than you think is possible.  Good luck :)

Noodle

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #20 on: February 06, 2018, 10:41:00 AM »
Fitness items are often perfect for "putting the word out" as the Tightwad Gazette used to say. Tons of people have gotten Fitbits through gifts, workplace fitness programs, or just misplaced purchases and never really used them...if you keep mentioning you are interested and looking for one I bet it will not be long until someone says they have one in a drawer you can have.

Or if you have family members who still like to give gifts, a Fitbit (or a giftcard toward one) could be a good suggestion.

Do not buy one.

mm1970

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #21 on: February 06, 2018, 10:49:30 AM »
I can see the desire to get such a gadget.  I have some gadgets myself.  When I first started running a lot about 10 years ago, I wished for, and got, a Garmin.  It was a few hundred dollars.  That thing was glorious, though - helped me a lot to track distance, speed, splits, and it was fun to go back and see where I'd been on a map.

Software was glitchy though, then I got injured, and it gathered dust.

Fast forward many years through injury and childbirth and hey, now I'm running again.  Several friends have Fitbits and do challenges.  My husband started checking reviews on various types of fitness trackers.  I then followed his links and realized - pretty much every one dies at about 1 year.  So even though at this point, they are only $100 or so, I am not willing to pay $100 for something that will need to be replaced in a year (some last longer, a lot die earlier).

So.  I use the app on my phone.  There are many.  I have friends who enjoy Strava and runkeeper.  I use Map My Run/ Map My Walk/ Map My Ride.  They are all the same.  I have four friends on there, only one that's active.  We do a challenge or two every year, but I cannot beat him.  Even when I was training for an uphill half marathon...apparently a 225 lb man walking 6 miles burns more calories than a 135 lb woman running 11 miles up hill. Who knew?

I agree that you need to get into the habit first.  Use what you have.  I do LOVE being able to look up my old runs, paces, etc on Map My Run.  My neighbor with the Fitbit?  She started getting obsessed with the numbers and had to take it off.

For the record, last year with half marathon training I dug out that Garmin again.  It's a beast!  I mean, it's huge.  People make fun of it.  I no longer have the software.  I charge it up and use it as a pacer/ timer.

obstinate

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #22 on: February 06, 2018, 11:01:02 AM »
Fitbits don't cause you to walk or bike. Getting up and walking or biking does. If anything, you should start that for a while and then buy the Fitbit.

Don't deceive yourself into being a slave to your devices and desire for shiny new toys.

diapasoun

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #23 on: February 06, 2018, 11:06:07 AM »
I've used some sort of pedometer since 2013, and a Fitbit since 2014, and love having a pedometer. Using it has given me a lot of information about how my body reacts to different activity levels, and has helped me quantify how my activity levels change based on other things (for example, if my gaming group is doing a Saturday session, I have to go for a long walk early in order to get a reasonable activity level overall for the day -- and I might not think to do that if I weren't going for the steps).   It makes me get out and get moving when I wouldn't otherwise, because I want to reach the goal I set for myself. I don't find the Fitbit challenges at all useful or compelling; I just don't care about them, because I'm not a competitive person. For me, it's just about setting and reaching goals, and that's something I could easily do in other ways -- walking a certain number of minutes, for example.

In your case, given the debt, I'd probably do what ReadySetMillionaire suggests and get the habits started and locked in before doing anything that's not attacking that debt. The Fitbit is a useful gadget, but it's not a magic wand. Like you said, buying it won't change your behavior. Take this time to get your habits settled, and figure out what it is that really motivates you. If you're competitive, maybe training for a race would get you going. Maybe joining a running or hiking or biking club is what would do it for you. Whatever it is -- you can do it without the gadgets. :)


Greenback Reproduction Specialist

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #24 on: February 06, 2018, 11:32:12 AM »
I'll tell you what my wife tells me whenever I want something fitness related -- make it a habit for three months before you buy it.

The logic works because, as a threshold matter, it's silly to think that buying something will change your behavior.  You have to change your behavior first.

Then, once you've changed your behavior, you realize you didn't need that consumerist gizmo in the first place.

I wish I could get my wife to understand this...

hadabeardonce

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #25 on: February 06, 2018, 12:19:55 PM »
Not worth it.

I used a fatness tracker for a while and it didn't do anything beneficial. Yeah, I knew numbers of steps and had charts to look at, but it didn't trigger a change in my lifestyle. There have been a few articles saying that using one of these devices actually does the opposite of the intended effect, you gain weight:

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/09/20/494631423/weight-loss-on-your-wrist-fitness-trackers-may-not-help
https://arstechnica.com/science/2016/09/fitness-trackers-may-actually-make-you-gain-weight/

undercover

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #26 on: February 06, 2018, 12:20:57 PM »
It's $50. Sell it back if it doesn't do what you want. I've never personally understood their value because all they do is record data that you could record yourself...and even then the data isn't that useful. They're purely psychological, not actual useful tools in my opinion, especially over the long run. Once the habits are developed, you're not going to care about seeing the data even though you know it exists. The data is only there to motivate you and keep you accountable. You could write this down yourself though.

merula

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #27 on: February 06, 2018, 12:41:57 PM »
A FitBit will not help you log your biking, FYI. I'd recommend Map My Ride for that, and you could also use that for tracking walking/running. (Although not all the time since it's a real battery hog.)

I got the cheapest model as a gift in 2013. It died at a year but I got a warranty replacement then lost the replacement but found an internet fix for the original, used that until the battery cover broke. Currently using a 3-year-old hand-me-down, going strong. Maybe things have changed, but I don't really agree with the "they all die after a year" stuff.

Denied.
Thanks, Stvze Orman.



JSMustachian

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #28 on: February 06, 2018, 12:47:42 PM »
An 8% debt is an emergency. I would freeze all unnecessary spending and pay that off like your ass if on fire. By the time that is knocked out you prob won't even want a fit bit.

FireLane

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #29 on: February 06, 2018, 07:08:27 PM »
I had a Fitbit, and it was useful for keeping myself honest. As long as I was carrying it, I had an incentive to get up from my desk every hour and get at least 10,000 steps a day.

But it died last month (right after the warranty expired, which seems to be common, judging from this thread), and at its price point, I can't justify replacing it every year. If I feel the need to keep track, I'll use a pedometer app on my phone. It's not as accurate, but it'll do.

That said - you have $20,000 of debt at 8% and you're contemplating buying fancy consumer gadgets? Facepunch! Pay that off first!

LWYRUP

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #30 on: February 06, 2018, 07:13:28 PM »
I think it would definitely be something to consider once you figure out how to deal with the fact that YOUR HAIR IS ON FIRE, AAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!

EDIT:  I also spent $250 on a fitbit I rarely use.  : (  "It's for my health so it will be worth it!" 
« Last Edit: February 06, 2018, 08:56:14 PM by blinx7 »

GU

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #31 on: February 06, 2018, 07:29:14 PM »
No, don't buy a fitbit.  The "establish the habit for 3 months before buying stuff" rule stated above is a pretty good idea.

Also, anecdotally, possession of a fitbit and actually being fit seems to be inversely related.

driftwood

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #32 on: February 07, 2018, 12:59:11 AM »
I haven't seen a fit person wearing a fitbit yet.  Take that for what it's worth. 

Just Joe

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #33 on: February 07, 2018, 10:17:20 AM »
I saw a fair number of them right after Christmas. Not so much now. ;)

Acastus

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #34 on: February 07, 2018, 11:34:29 AM »
I recommend the HR 2 over the older model. The battery lasts 7-8 days vs. 3-4.

WSUCoug1994

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #35 on: February 07, 2018, 01:19:16 PM »
FWIW - our insurance company (BCBS) gave us free Fitbits and I wear it every day and it does motivate me to stay active during the day.  It also helps me meditate and I need a lot of help in this area. Mindfulness.

GuitarStv

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #36 on: February 07, 2018, 02:01:03 PM »
Lol . . . this disposable electronic device (designed to provide me with unnecessary information all the time), is my key to mindfulness and peaceful contemplation.  :P

kaizen soze

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #37 on: February 07, 2018, 07:52:58 PM »
I used to keep a wall calendar in my apartment. I would mark an X over each day that I exercised. Actually pretty motivating.

big_slacker

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #38 on: February 08, 2018, 05:33:16 PM »
Most of us have smartphones and most of those have step count. They also have excellent calorie trackers like cronometer available for free or very low cost. I don't get the whole fitbit thing and how that helps you go take a walk. Just go take a walk. And eat more veggies.

That said I don't like to totally poo poo electronics. If you are a fairly serious athlete and have specific training sessions that require you to keep HR or Power at a certain level for a certain time, calculate VO2 Max over time, you need GPS tracking longer than a phone battery lasts (endurance racing) and so on you can invest in something. It won't be a fitbit. :)

Mezzie

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #39 on: February 08, 2018, 06:14:42 PM »
Nope.

They're not that great, anyway. But if you still want it after you pay off all your debt, I will confer my blessing. :)

AnnaGrowsAMustache

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #40 on: February 11, 2018, 02:15:53 PM »
I have one. It was a gift. I use it sometimes, as a pedometer. Which would have cost $5.

clarkfan1979

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #41 on: February 12, 2018, 12:16:06 AM »
My wife and I each got one. Mine lasted 6 months. Her's lasted about 2 years. I run harder and sweat more. The sweat corrodes the plastic band. Same thing happened with two different fit bits.

ketchup

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #42 on: February 12, 2018, 07:57:13 AM »
My wife and I each got one. Mine lasted 6 months. Her's lasted about 2 years. I run harder and sweat more. The sweat corrodes the plastic band. Same thing happened with two different fit bits.
The bands are definitely a weak point, but you can buy replacement bands on Amazon for a few bucks.

WSUCoug1994

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #43 on: February 12, 2018, 08:53:01 AM »
Lol . . . this disposable electronic device (designed to provide me with unnecessary information all the time), is my key to mindfulness and peaceful contemplation.  :P

Now you have some insight in how far I have to go......lol

NoraLenderbee

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #44 on: February 12, 2018, 04:30:43 PM »
Th thread below this one is "What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?"

Goldielocks

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #45 on: February 12, 2018, 06:21:32 PM »
I was the only one to say to watch the craigslist / kijiji ads, maybe because the fitbit zips appeared at $10, and right now I see Fitbit flex for $15 (including a charger and a newish band) on Craigslist.

Yes, your $20k debt is the emergency at 8%.   However, if you have an allowance, say $20 a month to spend on anything you want, the fitbit (used) could certainly fit in there...   give up a couple of coffees, or that pair of socks, or whatever.  You can likely find $15 in your budget for this short term perk.


merula

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #46 on: February 12, 2018, 08:13:41 PM »
I don't quibble about stuff that makes me alive.  If there's even a 1% chance that it will improve OP's health 1%, isn't $50 worth it?  I agree that equipment alone won't make you healthy -- that exercise is more about attitude and habits... but if the Fitbit purchase can positively affect attitude and habits, is it really so bad?

I just bought a $1,500 dollar treadmill.  Because it's cold as fuK outside and I'm tired of driving to Planet Fitness.  If I lose my mustache, whatever.

Based on this post, doesn't seem like you had one.

From the poll results, posters are, generally, not objecting to the concept of a FitBit, only to the concept of buying one with $20,000 of debt.

Dagobert

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #47 on: February 13, 2018, 01:46:39 AM »
I have a Charge 2 Fitbit. For the mustachians, this does not work with a older mobile phone (with Windows 8.1 in my case). The app for windows 8 doesn't support a Charge 2. Communcation about this is not clear.
So i now have a 150 euro wristband that only displays 'sync with the app'. I should now by a newer phone to use it.

Getting the app installed on an other phone get you past the message, but you than loose all the trackingdata after a week of not syncing to a phone, so unless you see that person with the other phone at least weakly the data is not retreivable. 


alanB

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #48 on: February 13, 2018, 05:55:46 AM »
[...]bought a $1,500 dollar treadmill.  Because it's cold as fuK outside and I'm tired of driving to Planet Fitness.  If I lose my mustache, whatever.

Could have bought $150 worth of winter clothes, pile on those layers until you are puffed up like a snowman.  Problem solved, you will be toasty warm and get some resistance training while you are at it!

GuitarStv

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Re: Permission to buy a Fitbit
« Reply #49 on: February 13, 2018, 08:58:10 AM »
I don't quibble about stuff that makes me alive.  If there's even a 1% chance that it will improve OP's health 1%, isn't $50 worth it?  I agree that equipment alone won't make you healthy -- that exercise is more about attitude and habits... but if the Fitbit purchase can positively affect attitude and habits, is it really so bad?

I just bought a $1,500 dollar treadmill.  Because it's cold as fuK outside and I'm tired of driving to Planet Fitness.  If I lose my mustache, whatever.

Based on this post, doesn't seem like you had one.

From the poll results, posters are, generally, not objecting to the concept of a FitBit, only to the concept of buying one with $20,000 of debt.

I object to the concept of a fitbit.

If you want to get in shape, you don't need electronic fitness tracker doodads designed designed to have a relatively short life.  You need to exercise.  If you want a fitness tracker, keep a pen and paper and write down times/distances that you run or weights/reps that you lift.  This is cheaper, just as motivational, just as useful, and significantly less environmentally damaging.




[...]bought a $1,500 dollar treadmill.  Because it's cold as fuK outside and I'm tired of driving to Planet Fitness.  If I lose my mustache, whatever.

Could have bought $150 worth of winter clothes, pile on those layers until you are puffed up like a snowman.  Problem solved, you will be toasty warm and get some resistance training while you are at it!

You'll find that even when it's very cold you don't really need that much clothing to stay warm.  Exercise will generate a lot of heat.  When it's extremely cold you only need a good hat, a face mask, some warm gloves, boots that aren't too heavy, and skipants/skijacket.

Protip - when temperatures are in the -30s (C) and you're out jogging in skipants . . . only wear underwear beneath them.  It helps to keep you from overheating as much.