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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Fitbit cheating

88 replies

EndoplasmicReticulum · 31/05/2016 17:58

So, if you were spending an hour in the back garden sawing wood, is it cheating to swap your fitbit to your sawing arm in order to gain extra steps? (I got 3,000. It was a lot of sawing).

I think it's fair enough. Husband is saying it's cheating.

OP posts:
DoesAnyoneReadTheseThings · 31/05/2016 17:59

In my mind sawing would burn off more calories than walking so YANBU Wink

PotteringAlong · 31/05/2016 18:00

Embrace it Smile

MyNewBearTotoro · 31/05/2016 18:00

I dont know much about fitbits - are they designed to work out how much energy you've used or how much distance you've covered?

If it's how much distance it's probably cheating but if energy used perhaps less so, although I've no idea whether sawing burns a comparable amount of calories to walking.

eurochick · 31/05/2016 18:02

I accidentally did about 5000 'steps' sawing up my Christmas tree just after I got my Fitbit. It probably burned at least as many cals as walking!

Panicmode1 · 31/05/2016 18:05

I joked to my riding instructor that I should halve my number of steps after a recent lesson, owing to the fact I would get double steps. I've only recently returned to riding, so am not 'riding fit' yet. After my 45 min lesson she asked if I felt I had cheated....as I could barely speak or walk, I decided that I hadn't!

Autumnchill · 31/05/2016 18:06

Sawing is bloody hard work, YANBU or cheating Smile

EndoplasmicReticulum · 31/05/2016 18:14

Riding is tricky because you won't get steps. Unless you can put the fitbit on the horse?

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EndoplasmicReticulum · 31/05/2016 18:16

Totoro - they count "steps" although I've found that you can get steps for waving your arms about generally too - changing beds also gets more than it should. You're supposed to do 10,000 steps a day although who knows how that was decided.

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Pringlesandwine · 31/05/2016 18:18

Driving along a bumpy road will also add 'steps' to a fitbit!

MarkRuffaloCrumble · 31/05/2016 18:20

My partner jiggles his arm around to take him over his steps target if he hasn't quite made it! Now that is cheating! Doing some actual physical exercise is fair enough in my book Smile

Twowrongsdontmakearight · 31/05/2016 18:57

I have to switch arms otherwise my Fitbit counts my counting money as steps. (I work in a bank). I was 'doing' 15000 step till I realised.

Junosmum · 31/05/2016 18:58

DH did 25000 steps one day. About 22000 was jiggling the baby to sleep!

MyNewBearTotoro · 31/05/2016 19:02

So what is the benefit to 'cheating?'

I can understand if you're doing an activity that burns similar calories to walking why you might want them to be counted but for those saying they 'chest' by waving their arms etc - why? Presumably the 10,000 aim is to stay healthy but why make it think you've done 10,000 if you haven't? Without wanting to sound cliche aren't you only lying to yourself?

MyNewBearTotoro · 31/05/2016 19:02

Sorry, 'chest' = 'cheat'!!

MaidOfStars · 31/05/2016 19:04

I wouldn't cheat on the steps but log the hour of exercise as a separate activity.

Smurfingreat · 31/05/2016 19:04

I think I did that at the weekend, I was trimming a hedge and I'm sure I got more steps than I should have!

MaidOfStars · 31/05/2016 19:06

MyNew Some workplaces etc are offering staff bonuses for highest step count!

OooLookShoes · 31/05/2016 19:07

I don't think it is cheating, the Apple Watch actually recommend you move the watch onto the more active wrist, if for example you are pushing a pram or something.

Florinda2016 · 31/05/2016 19:07

When I ride my horse,even in walk, it registers the horse's steps on my Fitbit. I can do thousands extra from just sitting.

Shadowracer · 31/05/2016 19:12

mynew you can do challenges with other people who have fitbits so there maybe an impulse to cheat! esp. If the 'loser' has to pay for the next round!

StillRunningWithScissors · 31/05/2016 19:18

I think sawing (unless using an electric one) counts. It's physical exertion, and I think even gets tour heart rate going. Not cheating.

However, sitting in the sofa crocheting has given me some impressive step counts, and there is no way I can justify that. If you can drink tea while doing it, it isn't exercise.

BigGreenOlives · 31/05/2016 19:21

Doing the laundry is pretty good at gaining steps & flights of stairs

BankWadger · 31/05/2016 19:21

I hit my step target while pulling my tights back up post wee today! Confused

I have to take it off to wash the dishes because it suddenly thinks I've gone for a trek not just stood on the spot.

SpaceDinosaur · 31/05/2016 19:23

I speak sign language.

Enthusiastic signing is a good few steps Grin

EndoplasmicReticulum · 31/05/2016 19:23

Crochet counts? Wow. Knitting doesn't, and neither does playing the violin (although maybe it would if it was on my bowing arm?)

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