The FastDay Forum

hmmmm, so what exactly is fitbit?.... (yes I know, google is my friend... )

Fitbit is a company that makes a number of devices that measure number of steps taken, number of floors walked, number of minutes of very active walking and so on (mine can keep track of how many hours you've slept and within that time, how much was actual sleeping and how much was restless etc). They are like your basic pedometer on steroids. You can sync them to a computer or mobile device to keep track online of your statistics. And because you can track your activity online, you can link up with other users to share statistics and keep each other motivated.

Mine is a Fitbit one. The website is www.fitbit.com - I encourage you to check it out and, if you like, please join us!

I've also got the Fitbit One - bought a new one after my Ultra broke. It came on Monday so started wearing it on Tuesday.

My target calorie burn is 1939 calories a day and I have it set on -750 deficit for the 1.5lbs loss a week.

So far:

Tuesday - burned 2,368, ate 1,300 = deficit of 1,068
Wednesday - burned 2,372, ate 1,144 = deficit of 1,228
Thursday - burned 2,241, ate 1,490 = deficit of 751

My TDEE is 1604 so I'm slightly under but thats partly due to eating less in the heat (and I don't eat breakfast) , and my calorie burn is from mainly from dog walking. We are puppy walking a german shepherd for the police so he needs 2-3 walks a day so that bumps up my steps therefore meeting my calorie target.

Debbie

Dog walking is great isn't it? My daughter loves dogs and we are on holiday at the moment, so spend lots of our day walking other people's dogs I'm not sure what impact our move to Manchester on Sunday will have on my steps though.

Today is too hot for much walking at least right now. I'm hoping for at least one big walk around 7/8 o clock this evening.

I love dog walking. I'm lucky enough to live next to a huge park so we go in at 6am every morning and its lovely and cool then. Puppy is only 7 months so is full of energy so we have a good walk for about 90 mins (I have my own dog too).

Do another one in the evening about 9ish when the heat has died down.

Umleilla, just wanted to thank you for opening the fitbit group. That is a great initiative and it is making me strive to do even more. It is the hottest day of the year in NY today (I think) I attempted to run 3 miles but ended up running 2 and walking about 0.5 miles and then I had to go inside to my air conditioned basement where I completed my workout on the elliptical for 20 min. Tomorrow it is gong to be hot too but Sunday looks a bit better

They are like your basic pedometer on steroids.

Sounds interesting. Do you have to measure your stride and do they work under all conditions? I found basic pedometers a bit hit and miss.

[Betsysgr8]

Hmmmm, this has me thinking I want a fitbit, just so I can join in on the group.

They are like your basic pedometer on steroids.

Sounds interesting. Do you have to measure your stride and do they work under all conditions? I found basic pedometers a bit hit and miss.

Hmmm...don't know what you mean - I certainly haven't done anything like measuring my stride. They are meant to work in rain and lots of sweat (and sleep!), but not while swimming. Does that help? I've never had a pedometer before. I think these are better at motion sensing. They are certainly more expensive - mine was about £79 from Amazon, which I justified by all the money I was saving by not buying breakfast and lunch 2 days a week

Congrats Einatbl that sounds like a great fitbit day apart from the heat that is. I have attempted to run in the past. Actually a while after I first got the fitbit but I got really bad shin splints and have resigned myself to walking for now.

When I'm back home, I use an elliptical trainer and I do hiit three times a week, but I haven't done any for almost two months.

The heat has kept me in here today and I've not made any of my targets but am quite close and I went for a swim this morning.. I'm hoping for a better day tomorrow.

Hope everyone had a good day

Thank you Umleilla. I hope you'll have a better day tomorrow. I started running at the end of last year, before I worked mainly on the elliptical. I also hurt myself probably by progressing too fast, had iliotibial band syndrome, so had to stop and got some physical therapy and on March I started again, this time more gradually and only about 2 weeks ago I reached my target of 3 miles. At first you should do walking/running and don't increase your mileage in more than 10% in a week. Don't run everyday so your body will get some rest ( you can do elliptical in the days you don't run, or walk).
On a different note, I also wanted to say something important to all those in the 5:2 forum who are planing to get a fitbit to make sure that they have a smart phone that is compatible with the device otherwise they will not be able to synch it and to join the group etc...

My phone is not compatible. Actually, it is a dumb phone...not smart at all. LOL But, it also synchs through wifi to your laptop, pc, netbook, etc.

Yes, you are right. I forgot about that

Anne, you do not "need" to measure your stride as it calculates if from your height. However, it does allow for you to modify it. For instance, while I am fairly tall at 5'9", I have a 36 inch inseam...very long legs and short waist.

I just have to say I LOVE my fitbit. I don't go anywhere without it, except swimming of course. In the beginning I was logging 3-5,000 steps a day for just a normal work day. I now make an effort to get 10,000 a day. I usually try to roll out of bed and get a 30 minute walk in before getting ready for work. (Due to bad knees, I can only walk, no running, so it takes me more time) If I don't have my goal by 8 p.m., out the door I go to get er done.

I started 5:2 very close after I started aiming for 10,000 steps a day. It's working for me. Even though I have had 3 different weeks of no weight loss, I'm still averaging slightly over a pound a week and have to say they both help with mental clarity.

See you in the 5:2 Fitbit group standings....

so what's the group URL ? should look like http://www.fitbit.com/group/2299NC tell us the last 6 characters