FitBit Review

I mentioned ordering the Fitbit one activity and sleep tracker. I originally ordered it from Amazon, but the release date got pushed back by a month, whereas it was already released by BestBuy so I canceled my Amazon order and bought it throught Best Buy. I was a bit disappointed in my usual go to Amazon (That on top of charging sales tax now!- It’s ok Amazon… I understand.)

Thus far- I love the fitbit! 

• (+) It is very accurate at counting steps. I have counted my steps and it is almost on the dot every time.
• (-) It, however, does not count if you walk in place or side to side sometimes as I try to do to burn a couple extra calories in small spaces without looking like a total weirdo.
• (+) It DOES count if you jog in place.
• (-) It sometimes counts “steps” while driving. I read this is other reviews and checked it out. For the most part I do highway driving, which so far has never been a problem/ it does not count any steps, but the other day I was on back roads and it was counting up a storm! Adding a “drive” function would be great. It seems slightly less accurate after is gets a little wet. I wore it to a hot yoga class, which shockingly, I sweat a lot at, on the drive home was when it was going haywire counting like a fiend.
• (+) Along with just steps it also counts distance! Some people have found this inaccurate- but I find it to be pretty on point.
• (-) however, once I put in my stride length it then started to overestimate, so I think going with the default works better since the stride you walk at when walking may be different than what you do just puttering around the house etc.
• (+) Flights of stairs! I work on the 13^th floor and this is great motivation to take the stairs.
• (-) I have no idea how many steps count as a flight… usually a “flight” is 10 stairs but my work has the double flights and I still only get 13.
• (-) It does not seem to count other stepping activities. I was at 49 flights one day and really wanted to get to the 50 flights but since I live in a house with zero stairs, I tried to do step ups on my ottoman, and despite stepping up 100 times, I did not get my final flight! It does count as a flight if you go up an incline, like hiking up hills etc.
• (-) It does not count other activities other than walking/ running. So, my 90 minutes of hot yoga or weight lifting etc counts as being inactive.
• (+) you can add these activities in after the fact on the website.

• (+) The sleep tracker is pretty cool, though I am not sure how to judge how accurate it is. You have to wear the fitbit in the wrist band for it to work at night since your arms apparently are what moves the most when sleeping.
• (+) I like the general idea that it makes sleep an important aspect of fitness/ health, which it is! 
• (+) I like seeing my “sleep efficiency” by how much I was “awake” at night. It seems relatively accurate based on how much I feel I was awake at night versus what it tells me I was up.
• (-) You are supposed to start a timer when you go to sleep and stop it when you wake up but I think I screw this up every time, and you still have to input it into the computer every time too so I do not really understand the point of this.

• (+) Overall style and size, its tiny! Which I guess is good so it doesn’t take up much space or look awkward.
• 
  





• (-) Everyone hates on the clip, so to be safe I bought a $1 pedometer clip to ensure it doesn’t get lost.
• (-) that being said, I did not wear the pedometer clip to bed and it feel out of the wrist band a few times.
• (+) vibrating alarm clock is a nice little feature.  
• (+) Battery life – in a world where my cell phone dies every 2 hours, I am utterly amazed that this thing only needs to be charged once a week for 2 hours. I think I have only charged it once since the initial charging and that was just because I was sitting at the computer for a long time.
• (+) Ease of use- there is only one button on it! You just click to cycle through to get the various numbers of steps, miles flights etc.
• (+) Bluetooth sync makes it super easy to sync without having to plug it in anywhere. I do not have a iphone to sync it with but I am ok with that.
• (+) built in clock and displays date and time. It helps justify the cost by saying I do not have to buy a watch too!
•  (+/-) at $100, it is pretty pricey, but considering how accurate and functional it is, I think it is justified. I also had a gift card and a coupon code I found online so that helped.
• (+) Easy to use website/ dashboard. Self explanatory.

• (+) Great motivation and a way to keep track. I love the “badges” you get for how many steps you take and floors climbed etc.

• (+) It has a pretty comprehensive nutrition data base to track your intake.. .I tried it for a day or two but not that motivated.  

Fitness Survey

I saw this fitness survey on so many people’s blogs, (most recently Amy's) so I decided to go ahead and do it. It made me realize I am a bit of a fitness minimalist. I do enjoy using equipment but frankly I do not have than much so if it is not around I make do!

Five Fitness Things I can’t Live Without:

• A wall: I love utilizing the wall for working out and stretching. Wallsits, handstand push ups

• Yoga mat: The rug is slippery yo!

• My dog: Leo is a pain in the butt when it comes to trying to do yoga- but he really keeps me going on a run.

• Sneakers: no shoes are great for yoga, but sneakers definitely help for running/ and other workouts.

• Deodorant: I don't know if this is too obvious, but I prefer to not be too smelly.  


Most Embarrassing Song I Listen to While Working Out:

I am not really embarrassed by anything I listen to. You can friend me on Pandora and check out my “Don’t let them see you sweat” mix including Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Pitbull, Katy Perry, Black Eyed Peas, Rihanna, etc.

I will admit I like me some angry Eminem while I workout sometimes.

Favorite Pre-Workout Snack or Meal:

Smoothies or banana or apple with peanut butter: If I am at home I usually do a smoothie, but if I workout after work I usually go for the apple or banana with peanut butter if I have it.

On My Fitness Bucket List:

I used to want to run a marathon, but really I have no desire to. My current goal is to become a group exercise instructor so I can help motivate other people and stay in shape myself!

Overall my goal is to keep pushing myself and making my body do more and keep fitness fun.

Must-Have Tech Tools:

My laptop or ipad: I often require some form of external motivation, often in the form of yogadownloads.com, bodyrock or a random pinterest or blogger workout.
ex:

MP3 player? I have a Sansa clip, which I recently accidentally deleted all of the music off of. I have now commadered an Ipod  Jordan acquired from a shoplifter who dropped it whilst he broke into Tropical Foods, attempted to shoplift and then spit in his eye when he was caught...   we recently received a court ordered apology from the individual. But anyway, I still have his Ipod as he has not come back to the store to claim it.
I actually haven’t been listening to music lately when I run since I am usually doing it at night so I get scared, plus I like to be able to hear the traffic coming. Since I am usually running near the ocean I have decent background noise.

shop lifters Ipod

My phone/ Mapmyrun app: I love tracking my mileage and I have no sense of direction so I admittedly sometimes get lost—I would have been in big trouble if I didn’t have this on a recent hike!

Fitbit?? I actually do not even have this yet! But I am soo excited for it. It claims to be arriving at my house between 10/31-11/3.

Top Exercise Gear:
Spandex/ polyester pants/ leggings: wicks away sweat and no chaffing (TMI?) I have no real brand loyalty but I have a new-ish pair of MPG (Mondetta Performance Gear) that I really like.

Sports Bra: If for nothing else, I use it to hold my chapstick when lacking a pocket. I think most of mine are the Champion ones from Target.

Motivational Mantras:
I sometimes go on Pinterest to pump myself up before a workout!  Some of my favorite inspirations include:

Favorite Cardio Exercise:

Intervals—I love combining cardio and strength and just making it fast to get my heart going.

Running – I go through phases of hating and loving running. The phases shift suddenly so today I like it, I cannot guarantee for tomorrow.

Zumba! I haven’t done it in a while, but I love getting my groove on.

Favorite Strength Move:

Almost anything body weight. Squats, pushups, sit ups, planks, handstands/ headstands. Walking lunges used to be my all time favorite, but since having foot surgery I can no longer bend my toes so this is a lot harder!
So that is my fitness survey! What's yours?

Fit In Fitness!

Health experts agree we need at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day for children and adults.

But you are busy! - We get it.

Did you know the 60 minutes does not have to all be at once? You get the same benefits of exercise even if you break up the 60 minutes into 4- 15 minute sessions, 6- 10 minute sessions or even 20- 5 minute sessions! 

Here are some tips for fitting in fitness into your day: 

·      Take the stairs instead of the elevator.

·      Take breaks and walk around at least 5 minutes for every hour of sitting.

·      Go to the bathroom on another floor.

·      Walk to see a colleague rather than phoning or emailing

·      Parking off site somewhere with a shuttle? Walk, don’t wait for the shuttle.

·      Walk or bike to errands that are a mile or less away,

·      Park your car further away. Leave close spots for the the elderly, disabled, and mothers with small children. Get in some extra steps while being considerate.

·      On the phone? Get up and walk around.

·      Trade out your desk chair for a stability ball,  you will engage your core, and improve posture.

·        Watching TV? Use commercial breaks to do squats, lunges, pushups, sit ups or jog in place.

·         Keep a light weight or resistance band on your desk or somewhere convenient, do a few moves for three minutes every hour.

·       Stuck in line? Do calf raises, or mini side lunges.

·       Waiting for a train or bus? Stuck on hold? Pace back and forth, do a little dance.

·         Do a wall sit, leg raise, or V step while brushing you teeth.

·      Meet up with friends for a walk or workout date instead of going out the eat.

·      Have a pooch? Take him/ her for a walk! Or offer to walk a neighbors dog – everyone will appreciate it.

How do you like to fit in fitness into your day?