I’ve had a FitBit pedometer for over a year now. Actually I’m on my second one, as I lost the first one. They are so darn unobtrusive that you hardly know they are missing. At $99.00 a pop, though, it it is worthwhile keeping track of your tracker.
The FitBit is a pedometer on steroids. It counts your steps each day, and automatically uploads them to your account on the FitBit web site. The FitBit will also track changes in height; so if you climb five flights of stairs, it will record that effort, and incorporate the altitude change in its calculations of expended effort. The web site encourages goal setting, and allows you to plot changes over time.
The FitBit will also plot sleep time by determining when you go to sleep, and the level of activity or restlessness that you show during your sleeping hours. The unit comes with a wrist band to fasten itself to your wrist. For counting steps, you can wear the FitBit clipped to a belt, or left loose in a pocket.
Setup can be a bit finicky, especially for Mac users. Once you have established an account at the FitBit web site, you plug in the docking station via USB to your computer, and then place the FitBit into the dock. In theory there is a step-by-step set of instructions on screen. Despite any difficulties, once it is set up it works reliably, and requires little in the way of maintenance. If the docking station is plugged in, and the computer is turned on, the FitBit will wirelessly transmit the current readings every 15 minutes or so. These will then be available instantly on the web site for viewing and comparisons.
Using FitBit
The FitBit is rediculously easy to use; Step 1. Put in pocket, Step 2. Walk. I carry it around most days, and, every once in awhile, check to see how the steps are going. On an average work day, despite my attempts to get up and walk around at least once an hour, I get up to maybe 3500 steps, which is pathetic, of course. It just goes to show how a suburban, car-dependent lifestyle sucks away opportunities for walking. So far, my best day has been 18,000 steps which reflects a 45 minute walk first thing in the morning, and then mowing both of my front and back lawn with my tiny electric push mower.
Weekends, I’ve had more time to enter data into the web site, by tracking my food intake. This is a useful exercise which provides lots of interesting information and more than a few surprises. (Yes there is sodium in yogurt.) All-in-all, a very handy gadget for those of us trying to crank up our activity, and keep track of our weight.
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