Tell Fitbug your tips for squeezing exercise into a regular day and read MNers feedback on the Fitbug Orb. Chance to win two free Fitbug Orbs. NOW CLOSED

[MichelleMumsnet]

This is the feedback thread for the 50 Mumsnetters who tried Fitbug Orb.

Here’s what Fitbug say: “The system sets you personal targets each week for steps and food, helping you improve your lifestyle at a rate you can gradually adjust to, so it’s not a hardcore exercise regime or a diet that you do for a short time, but a way of improving your habits for the long term."

Testers: We’d like you to post on this thread twice. First with your initial impressions, and then a couple weeks later letting us know how you got on. Please answer the questions below but feel free to add any other thoughts you may have.

First impressions:

Q1. Why did you want to take part in this product test?
Q2. What were your first impressions of the Fitbug Orb when you opened it? Did you like the look of it? If so, why? If not, why not?

Non-testers: What’s the easiest form of exercise that you manage to squeeze into a regular day? Do you have any tips to fit exercise easily into your day to share with other Mumsnetters? Maybe it’s taking the stairs to your office on the top floor of the building, or walking your children to school each day. Whatever it is, we’d love to hear it.

Everyone who adds their thoughts to this thread will be entered into a prize draw to win a pair of Fitbug Orbs (worth £50 each).

Thanks,

MNHQ

[titchypumpkin]

With two pre-schoolers I don't really get a chance to do a set exercise regime, the main thing I do is trying to walk everywhere, pushing 2 DDs on the pram/buggy board is hard work uphill!! :-)

[affafantoosh]

As my patience seems to have recharged a bit, I decided to randomly try it again this morning. It only bloody worked!

So here goes - I have two days of nonsense on it because it hasn't been working but now I am clipped up and will have to spend my eening going back through all the support emails that I didn't read because it wasn't working!

[BigfootFiles]

Non-tester. I try and fit exercise in around my kids' clubs. So I drop one at Scouts, say, then go for a run while I wait to pick them up. Other times, I just stick the TV on for half an hour while I do 30 mins of weights training down the other end of the room. Using the TV as a babysitter, yes, but the kids accept that I need to do exercise! They get the benefits of a more active mother so it's pros and cons really. It's only really been possible since my youngest turned 3. Before then it was a case of getting up early.

[ThePortlyPinUp]

Non Tester- my tips for squeezing exercise in is to find something you enjoy, I love to jive with dp which is excellent exercise, we manage a couple of nights out a month dancing. In between we quite often put some records on, push the furniture back and just dance indoors. It's fun and a good work out. I've also been following the couch to 5k programme, the hardest part is mustering up the enthusiasm to leave the house but the dog has got so used to it now she makes my mind up for me.

[Autismmumma]

Non tester
I would have loved to trial one of these, keep reading reviews about hoe good they are.

We walk everywhere as I don't drive. Tips would be:
If without w buggy, use stairs not lifts in shopping centre, get off the bud one or two stops earlier and get bouncing with the children on the trampoline (as long as the neighbours curtains aren't twitching!)

[NellVarnish]

affafantoosh budge up, non that sofa

Mimsy & Incul, I turned the wrong way too. So I make four.

Angus brilliant loss, well done


Ok sorry to derail thread. It's the stress you see, of my bug not working. Grrr.

Latest email says to ignore the fact it hasn't passed the Windows software whatsit and install it anyway so will try this tomorrow and report back.

[Greenrabbit]

Tester here.

Q1.
I have a significant amount of weight to lose. (At least 4 stone) Since having my second child last year I've struggled with dieting (tried 5:2 and WW) and haven't got round to any real exercise. I wanted to try the Fitbug mainly because I thought it would be a good way to help with motivation. I'm a visual sort of person, so the idea of seeing that I haven't done enough steps that day might be the kick up the behind that I need to help me get up and do more. That and the fact you can record food on the website sounded great.
I also like gadgets, I firmly believe that they make life easier!

Q2.
I liked the packing that the Fitbug came in, looks modern. Makes me think I could actually get fit!
I received a black Fitbug, which looks really nice and also discrete. The shape looks great, very sleek. I found the back difficult to remove so I asked my DH to remove it as I was worried about scratching it (I'm clumsy).
The only thing I was disappointed with was the lack of display.

The App was easy to download onto the iPad, the website was okay to use. I struggled to get it to work at first, but it was late at night and I figured it out the next day.

[ToddlerTyrannyZen]

Non Tester

Walking my Kid everywhere sometimes at high speed and within a time limit hels me burn calories

I also wake up just that little but earlier to get a workout using one of those xbox fitness workouts or go out on my bike for an hour long ride minimum. Dragging myself out of bed is usually the most difficult part but the buzz I get from the satisfaction of working out keeps me going all day.

[Iamnotanugget]

I try to squeeze a little exercise in by taking the long route. Once I've dropped off at school I take the long route home. If I'm seeing friends I'll go the scenic way. All these extra 5, 10 or even 20 minutes walking all add up and really help.

[Jellylove]

Tester.

Q1, I wanted to take part as I need to lose weight and get fit and thought something different like the fitbug may give help/ different perspective and motivate

Q2,

Arrived quickly, the packaging was a nice slim design and looks professional. It was compact yet contains all hardware needed.
I like the black, I would have hated pink. I have decided to use mostly wrist strap and no one ahead really noticed, which is good.
The setting up was fine as far as instructions are concerned but orb would not pair with iphone. It took several emails to resolve but I got very quick, polite and helpful responses from fitbug team.
I still can't figure out the nutrition and wish this was in the app but I will persevere and report back.

[SuedeEffectPochette]

Non tester here - I squeeze in exercise by parking my car a 30 min walk away from work. The added bonus is that I don't have to pay for parking there!

[Moid1]

Non tester

I try and do yoga everyday, super flexible to fit in at home. Remarkably good for core strength and flexibility.

[silverlace]

Tester

Q1 I wanted to try it as I have lost 2 stone the year with 4:3 diet and want to lose another 2 stone but have got stuck and think I need to increase my exercise to help shift it.

Q1 The packaging looked good, very neat and easy to open.

I had quite a few problems setting it up, it was far too complicated and the instructions were vague and unhelpful. It took me 3 goes to get it all to synch. Why is the dashboard on the website? Why isn't it all on the app?. I was also disappointed that I can't link it to my phone ( a fairly new model) so I can see how I am doing during the day instead of having to wait until I get home and use my tablet.

When I first put it on I had it on my wrist and it recorded an impressive 18,000 steps during my work day at an office. After posting about this someone suggested I put it in a pocket which I have since done and now get far more realistic readings.

I find synching very hit and miss and also the sleep recorder is very dodgy. I got up to go to the loo and it automatically turned sleep mode off and only recorded half of my sleep. Last night despite setting it it didn't record at all.

I am not sure it is helping much at the minute but I may get some benefit after the first week when there will be some targets to beat.

[chickydoo]

I have my yoga mat on the floor by my bed, I roll on to it each morning while DH is in the shower. I do my 15 min practice, then carry on with my day. I also walk the kids to school in term time. I do all the gardening myself ( love it) I cycle to the local shops.
I try & fit in a 90 min yoga class several times a week.
I think if exercise is part of your everyday life, you don't really think of it as exercise, it's just getting on with daily life, using your body to help you.

[drinkyourmilk]

Ahh! Lost my feedback. Will try again.

I'm a tester.
1- why did you want to take part?
Over the past 3 years I've become quite inactive, mainly due to very long work days, despite being quite a keen runner previously. I am getting married soon and I've had enough of being lardy and lazy! I have looked at other, more expensive gadgets, but this seems to do the same job. If it does all it claims I'll be very impressed!

2- what were your first impressions?
Overall I'm quite impressed. The orb itself looks nice and sleek, the accessories have a nice texture and everything is small enough to be unobtrusive. I personally don't wear a watch so plan to use the clip for the majority of the time, only using the wrist strap at night for the sleep function.
I had no problem at all registering and downloading the app- I have a samsung S4. I rarely use a laptop, so was pleased it could all be done on my mobile. When I registered I found I couldn't have 'loose weight' as my primary goal and had to switch to 'improve fitness'. I found this odd as my weight and height clearly indicate a need to loose weight! The message that kept coming up said that I was entering an incorrect goal weight when the question was what is your current weight?

Overall I'm impressed and excited to see what it can do.
I'm looking forward to results from the sleep function (I feel dreadful in the mornings and feel barely rested), and seeing exactly what the KiK coach does.

[rachaelsit]

Didn't test but for me it's all about the 7 minute workout. Website and app!
Brill!

[ataraxia]

non tester - Taking things to the right place in the house as I find them, rather than piling them up to take them all together

[HeySoulSister]

Mine has arrived!! It's pink!

Set up was fine, it's all going well, will add proper feedback when I've had it a few more days

[Keepcalmanddrinkwine]

Non-tester
I don't do enough really, apart from walking whenever I can but am getting lots of great ideas from this thread and feeling more inspired.

[JemimaMuddledUp]

Non tester.

I get up early and exercise before work, then it is done for the day. I used to run every morning before the DC got up, but I injured my knee and can't run at the moment. Next month I plan to swim every morning between the DC going to school and me getting to the office.

I also walk a lot, get off the bus a few stops earlier or go for a walk at lunchtime. It all adds up.

[peaz]

Tester

1. the one and only time I've lost weight was by using an online calorie counter which showed what is burned and what I was consuming. So this is perfect as it tracks my exercise. It will hopefully motivate me by showing where I am going right and wrong.
   
   
2. first impressions, well I am not a pink girl so not too keen on the colour but I like that there are a variety of ways for me to wear it, especially as I can hide it from my inquisitive toddler. Love the fact that I don't have to charge it.
   
   Setting up isn't great although I've not been able to really sit down and figure it out yet (neighbour took it in for me while I was away, and then they were away!). BUT I can't open the app on my ipad. Frustrating! I can only do it on my iphone. Any idea why?

[Nigglenaggle]

Non-tester - darn wish I'd seen this one! My tip is Jillian Michaels 30 day shred - 20 minutes, and I'm done. Painful, but efficient :)

[telsa]

Tester
Q1
I wanted to take part because I have long been wanting shift about 2 stone, after birth of children. Also I realised that I need to get fitter after I had a spot NHS check on fitness and cholesterol and got poor results. As A result of that I have 4 free months gym membership, which I am using, but I need more motivation. Family are not helping me, so I need another eye on me!

Q2
Well I found it a little difficult to open the package, but once in saw a little white disc. Rather plain. Plus various options for wearing, which needed to be figured out but did not take long. Set up was fiddly and I was convinced I was not doing it right, but it worked OK. I misread the Q in the code as a O which flummoxed me for a while. It all looks slick,, but I have found that it is not that easy to work out what it is for or how to use it. I had to google for instructions. So far it just seems like a pedometer, which seems fairly uninteresting. I am not sure why one would want to record sleep. I try to sleep as best I can, and can't do anything about it if I don't. I have not found a way of being able to set goals or do anything more than record steps. Am googling and reading others experiences to try to work this out. Am wondering how long the battery lasts. How do I get to the website? I can only get to a promotional website, but nothing with a health questionnaire or anything like that.
I am using an Ipad. The devices seemed to recognise each other. The app downloaded OK.

[marssparklesdownonme]

Equestrian Dream... Ten splendid acres of paddocks lie here, with Olympic-sized menege so fine. There are glorious riding opportunities around, in countryside so sublime. Inside this welcoming property youll find period features youre sure to love. An impressive kitchen is the heart of the home, flooded with sun from the roof light above. Dont miss your chance this one is hard to beat, so come book a viewing. Youre in for a treat!
www.fineandcountry.co.ukThese lot are notorious for it !!