Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Do you have a fit bit?

27 replies

Frequency · 01/01/2019 18:56

Do you love your fit bit? Would I love a fit bit?

I'm starting a new job tomorrow that involves walking a lot. I'm toying with the idea of getting a fit bit to wear while working. I use the endomondo app on my phone occasionally for walking and it does encourage me to walk more but it drains the battery so I don't use it daily. I really only use when I plan a long walk and I wouldn't be using it at work as I would need my phone to last the day.

I'm very overweight and kind of interested in loosing weight but not interested enough that I will be making any major changes to my diet or doing any exercise other than walking at work and with my dog. Maybe tracking food might make me question whether I really need to eat an entire packet of Reece's Pieces for my supper or whether a tube of Pringles is a good choice for lunch but it wouldn't make me rigidly stick to a calorie controlled diet.

Would I love a fit bit or is it going to get as much use as the step machine gathering dust in corner of my room?

OP posts:
OurChristmasMiracle · 01/01/2019 19:04

I’d advise to buy a cheaper version (you a
Can get them for less than £20) and see how you get on with that.

Mine is a god send but isn’t a Fitbit but measures heart rate. I’ve had mine from before Fitbit was even on the market and find it very useful.

sweetkitty · 01/01/2019 19:08

I have a FitBit Charge 3 and I love it.

I swapped my Apple Watch for it much prefer it, I’ve had 2 other Charges and a Surge (I think)

It counts my steps, I log my calories, it tracks my exercise and sleep. It’s fab.

Gotstuckwiththisname · 01/01/2019 19:09

Agree with maybe getting a cheaper version - I bought a Huawei pro band while I was recovering from an operation and couldn't do my usual exercise and it's pretty nifty.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Weight management
DramaAlpaca · 01/01/2019 19:10

I got mine last year for Christmas & have worn it every day since. It has absolutely increased my fitness. I walk a lot at work & try to get at least 6500 steps a day there, then an evening dog walk easily gets me up to 10000. DH bought it for me as a surprise as he thought the stats would appeal to my geeky side & get me competing with myself, and he was right.

CrispbuttyNo1 · 01/01/2019 19:10

My xmas present was a charge 3. I’m still getting to grips with it but I do love it and it does encourage me to walk more.

CatnissEverdene · 01/01/2019 19:11

I used mine loads initially, but as I more or less have the same routine, it got a bit pointless. I've had a lot of issues with it syncing with my phone too, I've lost days and days which is irritating. I'm not sure it was worth the £120 or so that I spent.

SweepTheHalls · 01/01/2019 19:11

Love mine. I like a lot of people upgraded at Christmas, fb market place has loads for sale so I would start there.

CrispbuttyNo1 · 01/01/2019 19:12

@sweetkitty. Did you have any problems with the sleep logging? I’ve had mine on for a week now and apparently I’ve only slept 3 times, and one of those nights there was no detail .

LastOneDancing · 01/01/2019 19:13

I'm motivated by goals, so it works very well for me. I'll go and do some exercise to get my steps/minutes. It's saved me a fortune in fat-fighter fees 😂

But my mum has the Alta & I think it's just a source of guilt for her, as she's not always prepared to put he effort in.

stoplickingthetelly · 01/01/2019 19:13

Dh bought me a cheap version for Christmas. He wasn't sure I'd like it so didn't buy a fitbit. So far I do like it and it does help to keep you moving because you're more aware of how many steps you've done.

Alwaysatyke · 01/01/2019 19:16

I've got a super cheap copy from Amazon (search letscom I think) and it's great as a simple pedometer/watch. For under £20 definitely worth it!

sweetkitty · 01/01/2019 19:17

No problems with the sleep, I have really vivid dreams every night and can tell that’s when I’ve been in R.E.M. it’s useful for me as I have fibromyalgia and don’t sleep well.

CrispbuttyNo1 · 01/01/2019 19:18

I have mine set to normal rather than sensitive and I don’t put it into “sleep”. I’m just not sure I’ve got it set right.

CrispbuttyNo1 · 01/01/2019 19:20

This is my pattern

Do you have a fit bit?
carrie74 · 01/01/2019 19:28

I used to have a Fitbit, I now have an Apple Watch. I love(d) both.

With the Fitbit, I liked the clear goal, being able to compete with friends, the little celebration when you reached 10k.

However, I didn't particularly like the arbitrariness of 10k steps, so much prefer my Apple Watch's 3-prong daily goals (standing for at least a minute for 12 hrs a day, being active for 30 mins and burning a determined number of 'active' calories a day), as well as the monthly goals, one-off goals and various other achievements.

Both have definitely made me much more aware of my activity and encouraged me to do more, I'd say my watch more so than the Fitbit did, but it was still a good place to start.

Original poster
Frequency · 01/01/2019 19:34

Apple watch isn't an option. I despise anything by Apple.

I might check out Facebook market place. Thanks.

OP posts:
soulrider · 01/01/2019 19:40

However, I didn't particularly like the arbitrariness of 10k steps

You can change your goals - i think you can choose between steps, distance, active minutes, calories and height gain and within each one set the goal itself - e.g. could choose 8k steps instead of 10k

Applepudding2018 · 01/01/2019 19:57

I've just had a fit bit for Christmas - it's showing me what I already know - that I'm a lazy cow who doesn't move enough!

Regarding the idea of getting s cheaper one - I would say that over the years I've had several cheap pedometers and a cheap fit bit copy a couple of years ago - and none of them have worked properly.

IceRebel · 01/01/2019 20:14

I've got a super cheap copy from Amazon (search letscom I think) and it's great as a simple pedometer/watch. For under £20 definitely worth it!

Another seconding Letscom. It does pretty much everything a fitbit does and the reviews for it speak for themselves

www.amazon.co.uk/LETSCOM-Fitness-Activity-Waterproof-Pedometer/dp/B07BSHZ922?tag=mumsnetforum-21

Feckitall · 01/01/2019 20:19

DD bought me Charge 2 for Xmas love it, definitely making me more aware of how much I move!!

Almostfifty · 01/01/2019 20:24

I've had a FitbitCharge2 for the last 18 months. Just upgraded to a Charge3, which is more sensitive apparently. I love mine. It makes me move around a lot more when I've a lazy day.

hippoherostandinghere · 01/01/2019 20:38

DH got me the Fitbit verse for Christmas and I love it. You can change the goals when you set it up. I've recently changed from an active job to a desk job so I set my step count lower as I know I won't be walking as much. It's picked up my sleep pattern really well, I don't have to change it to sleep mode it just knows when I fall asleep. It also automatically recognises a workout. I was out playing basketball with DS yesterday and it recognised I was playing sport and for how long. Would really recommend.

We got the DC the letscomm ones from amazon for Christmas and they are a great job. They were £20 each and they seem very reliable so far.

LIZS · 01/01/2019 20:41

Fitbit flex 2 here. Had it 2 years and it records steps, sleep, food, exercise. Fine as long as you aren't interested in functions such as heartrate , neat to wear and currently about £50.

Original poster
Frequency · 01/01/2019 21:22

I have some Amazon vouchers. I might buy the letscom one and upgrade later if I keep using it.

OP posts:
NicoAndTheNiners · 01/01/2019 21:23

I used to but then upgraded to a garmin vivosport which is loads better.