VSG Maintenance Group

Fitness Bands

JoeyJo
on 2/15/17 10:12 am - NJ

My UP3 fitness band by Jawbone is officially kaput.  Now I have to decide whether to replace it or switch to a FitBit or something else.  What do you have?  What do you love and/or hate about it?

VSGAnn2014
on 2/15/17 10:31 am
VSG on 08/14/14

Everybody I know who has a Fit*****arge model is crazy about it.  

But after having 4 different Fitbits give up the ghost on me a few years ago, each after only 3-4 months of operation, I gave up on Fitbit.  

Recently at Aldi's I bought a step counter by Crane for only $35.  I still don't have the app downloaded to my cell phone, which is where I can manage all the data, but my other cheap friends who own the Crane tracker love the app.   

Here's a link to the Crane tracker reviews:  http://www.aldireviewer.com/2016/12/29/crane-wireless-activi ty-tracker/ 

BTW,  one of its great benefits is that it holds a charge for as long as 3 weeks!  Another reason I love the Crane tracker is that I don't have to wear it in a rubber-looking bracelet.  I just clip it to my bra strap.  Got so sick of the Fitbit messing up my dressier fashion ensembles, but was very unwilling to "lose steps" by leaving it at home.  

So other than all that ^^^, when I go on actual walks I measure my steps, distance, speed, elevation, etc. with a tracker app that came with my android Samsung phone.  

ANN 5'5", AGE 74, HW 235.6 (BMI 39.2), SW 216, GW 150, CW 132, BMI 22

POUNDS LOST: Pre-op -20, M1 -10, M2 -11, M3 -10, M4 -10, M5 -7, M6 -5, M7 -6, M8 -4, M9 -4,
NEXT 10 MOS. -12, TOTAL -100 LBS.

diane S.
on 2/15/17 12:46 pm

well I am on my fourth fit bit. two got lost and one went through the washer. I have the ultra that clips to your pocket or whatever. I don't like the idea of a wrist band. I wish the wrist band ones had a way of removing the band and clipping the device on so you don't have to wear it as a fashion accessory all the time.  The one suggested by Ann sounds good. Might be my next one when I lose or wreck this one. Diane S.


      
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Paula1965
on 2/15/17 3:00 pm
VSG on 04/01/15

I've had FitBits for years, way before they were cool and everyone had them. That being said, the last tracker I bought was a Garmin. I like that it is waterproof, has a band like a watch (doesn't fall off) and seems to be very sturdy - my Fitbits were breaking left and right! I don't like how clunky it looks, it doesn't talk with my computer or phone as nicely as the FitBits did and I don't think the numbers are as accurate as my last FitBits. If I needed to replace I would probably go back to FitBit but might just check out Ann's suggestion as well!



5' 4" tall, HW: 242, SW:215.4 Weight Loss - pre-op: - 26.6, M1: -15.4, M2: -16, M3: -11.4, M4: -11.2, M5: -12.2, M6: -7.4, M7: -7.8, M8: -2.0 Goal of 130 lbs. reached at 8 months, 2 days post-op!












akindofmagick
on 2/16/17 6:14 am, edited 2/15/17 10:14 pm - MD

I am still on my original Fitbit Flex, which I have been wearing daily for about three years. I have a variety of bands to change the look, although I typically wear the zebra one. The charger contacts do tend to get gummed up, and I have to scratch all three with a safety pin before plugging the unit in to charge. That is the only problem I've ever had. I also like that the aftermarket wristbands, which are so cheap on Amazon, come with silicon "keepers" to keep the band from separating and falling off. 

 I got my kids Fitbit Alta bands for Christmas. These are also narrow - I hate the clunky wide bands - but have the added advantage over the Flex in that they tell time, and give you a better count of your steps on the fly, without having to login to your iPhone and sync. I also got them both aftermarket bands with clasps so that they wouldn't lose their devices. They love them. 

 I love the various Fit*****allenges, and all the other benefits that come with wearing a Fitbit. I've been very happy with them. Except the bands that come stock with the devices are terrible!!

Sheri

I've been fat, and I've been thin - and thin is better.  

There is a better way. --Alaine of Lyndar 
--------------------------
HW: 234. SW: 228 (18 June 2015). GW: 137. Specs: 50ish, 5'4"

Shel25
on 2/16/17 8:47 am

I am fitbit all the way tho am always looking for the next best thing, too.

  Currently have the charge HR (might have the name wrong but is wristband and does heart rate) and have had it since Aug 2014.   I have lost a few of the fitbit's that clip on and lost my original wrist one too tho that was likely more my issue than the wrist band.  I do like having the heart rate on there for some reason.

I do love the app and tracking and that it syncs beautifully with MFP and my scale.  I like gazing at my metrics. 

My husband tried to be my "friend" and I declined LOL

I read a review of various products available in medical news (not a fancy study....just junk medical news) and take away is that none are perfect, there is always some variation/inaccuracy.   I'm aok with this tho I know people that hate the lack of precision.

 

HW:361 SW:304 (VSG 12/04/2014)Mo 1:-32  Mo 2:-13.5  Mo 3: -13.5  Mo 4 -9.5  Mo 5: -15  Mo 6: -15  Mo 7: -13.5  Mo 8: -17  Mo 9: -13  Mo 10: -12.5  11/3/2015 Healthy BMI Reached Mo 11: -9  Mo 12: -8    12/27/2015 Goal Weight Reached!

JoeyJo
on 2/17/17 9:00 am - NJ

Target was having a sale, so I got a Fitbit Alta on sale for $129 and got an additional 10% off by using their app.  Not a huge sale, but every little bit helps.  It's black but has gold on the sides, so it looks pretty.  It doesn't have the heart rate, but that's OK.

VSGAnn2014
on 2/17/17 10:13 am
VSG on 08/14/14

Yea!  That's a great new toy.  :)

ANN 5'5", AGE 74, HW 235.6 (BMI 39.2), SW 216, GW 150, CW 132, BMI 22

POUNDS LOST: Pre-op -20, M1 -10, M2 -11, M3 -10, M4 -10, M5 -7, M6 -5, M7 -6, M8 -4, M9 -4,
NEXT 10 MOS. -12, TOTAL -100 LBS.

akindofmagick
on 2/18/17 5:31 am - MD

You can get an aftermarket band from Amazon with a regular buckle clasp - more secure - for under $15. I bought the girls' Fitbits at Bed Bath and Beyond using 20% off coupons (on different days!!). 

If anyone wants to be Fitbit friends, I'm there under "akindofmagick".  :)

I've been fat, and I've been thin - and thin is better.  

There is a better way. --Alaine of Lyndar 
--------------------------
HW: 234. SW: 228 (18 June 2015). GW: 137. Specs: 50ish, 5'4"

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