Useless junk.
You don't need a device to get and be active. You need to go out and get some exercise. If you like tracking performance, great! This will help you stay motivated! Get yourself a pencil and notebook, and write down your numbers (max weight, reps, distance run, time swimming, etc.). No need for some electronics that will last a couple years and then be thrown onto the ever growing pile of short term temporary junk that served no real purpose when it was around but will now be in a landfill for the next millennia.
OP
@englishteacheralex , I would listen to this above post.
Like you, I had pretty much already made up my mind about wanting a Fitbit, thinking it would motivate me to do more because of its data. I similarly came to the forum for some reassurance that it was a smart purchase --
https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/ask-a-mustachian/fitbit-recommendations/msg2147429/My weight when I bought my Fitbit (last September): 188.2
My weight today: 190.6.
Now, I did get as low as 182, which is pretty good for me, but I put the weight back on these past couple months due to (a) moving my law office and (b) having a kid in March. Home cooking and time to exercise dramatically decreased -- or put more bluntly, health wasn't a priority while other things were going on.
Health simply has to be a priority, and it doesn't matter what product you have. The Fitbit is NOT going to make you more active. YOU have to WANT to be more active and DO IT.
With all of this said, some pros and cons:
Pros
-The app is the best health and wellness app out there, including calorie counting.
-The app adjusts your calorie intake goals based on your physical activity, which is very useful.
-The Fitbit Alta only needs charged about once per week, so it's not a nuisance.
-The sleep data is interesting, although I'm not sure how useful it is.
Cons
-The Fitbit almost makes me obsess over step count instead of actual exercise. I've seriously run errands for the sake of getting steps, which is absolutely ridiculous.
-I'm not sure how accurate the heart rate is
-The straps on mine have broken twice. Customer service was great, but it was annoying
-Overall, it simply hasn't made me healthier
***
This last point is the biggest. We live in a consumerist world where we are taught that some sort of product is the answer to our problem. Here on MMM, we know how stupid most financial products are; we know super fancy cars won't make us happier; we know we don't need every kitchen gizmo out there. Yet when it comes to health, we somehow think that justifies the purchase.
I think the Fitbit is certainly fun and providers interesting data, and the app is great; but honestly, I'm ready to stop wearing it.