Fitbit and 10000 steps

I got a Fitbit for Christmas (lost it on holiday and replaced it with a cheaper Chinese version, Mi Fit, that works well - battery stays charged for ages). I got a bit obsessed with trying to get to 10000 steps and only managed it once or twice a week. Funnily though, the Mi Fit challenge is 8000 steps and, although I certainly don't do it every day, find it much easier to get to with general walking. Walking is a good exercise and I think if a Fitbit motivates you to do more, that can only be good but I expect it would take a lot of steps (+ really cutting down on calories) to lose much weight (I haven't lost any but feel fitter).

I got one for Christmas. I aim for 10,000 steps a day, used to manage it most days but lately probably only about 3 days in the week. However, twice daily dog walks go quite a way to achieving this goal! Add in shopping one day a week, and grandson sitting another day and those are my most likely days. Sunday's tend to be my least active days (DH does the morning dog walk so I get a lie in)

I always aim to do 10000 steps a days however just recently I am struggling to achieve it. I too am amazed at how long it seems I have to be walking to manage it.

I used to have one, difficult to get to 10000 steps till I discovered that if I put it on my dominant hand whilst knitting I reached my goal in no time!

Ha Ha! Irma, sounds like a good idea to me

irma.

I've just this minute come back from buying a shiny new fitbit which I'm in the process of syncing.

Can't wait to get going.

I find wandering round the shops looking at clothes uses up lots of steps. Also causes me to spend more.
I actually have to walk to get any extra 'steps', just swinging my arms doesn't work. No idea how these Fitbits work. Clever little things!

Dangerous things Fitbits. I fell over trying to get my last 1000 steps and broke both arms.

Can't find the blasted thing now, but my mobile tells me its battery is low....no idea where it is. Been wandering around the house with a wifi spotter on my mobile, a bit like water divining, but no luck

On the tv programme, Trust Me, I'm a doctor, they tested Fitbits and found that they were unreliable at measuring the correct number of steps and also heart rate. Just saying

Tablet converted that to Titbits!

I used to like reading my nan's Titbits - don't know how much energy it used though.

I've got one that I have been wearing for a week but I've only reached 8000 twice. I didn't know that the battery needed charging!

Found it, in my sock drawer

Put it on change.

Kitty I take mine out of its rubbery holder, attach it to the small cup-like thingy that came with it. This has a lead with a USB port at t'other end which plugs into m iPad charger.

Here you go.

I'm only using mine as an estimate of how many steps I do. I've only had it a couple of weeks and it has motivated me to get of the sofa and move which must be a good thing.
Anya,I managed to fall and break my wrist and sprain my ankle earlier this year. Hated being dependent on others. Has made me quite nervous of falling again.

Sorry to disappoint you, sunlover, but I don't think you will lose any weight just doing 10,000 steps a day, it needs a change in eating habits too. I have been doing 10-15,000 daily for a year or so, but only lose when or if I am eating more healthily. Quite depressing really, as the walking can be a chore some days. I do an hour (about 7,000) first thing each morning and make up the rest over the day.

Recently on holiday with friend wearing one She claimed one day she had walked the equivalent of 7 5 miles. If she had, we had too and there was no way we'd walked that far . The following day she realised it was registering steps while she was standing still getting dressed I.e. raising her arms up and down ..........was going to buy DH one but am now dubious

That should be 7.5 not 75....

Thanks Anya, I'll investigate.

neversaydie see my post at 14.47.

Shysal, I have also started to eat more healthily. Cut out bread and other things like cakes and biscuits. So fingers crossed!
Neversaydie, I tried standing still and moving my arms but no steps get recorded. I know the Fitbits are not really accurate to the exact number of steps taken but seem much more reliable than the pedometer that I tried years ago. Anyway, I'm walking and moving more and more each day so I'm happy with what my Fitbit tells me.

I've got a Garmin vivofit which counts steps, and usually manage the 10,000 as I'm out of the habit of driving these days. It counts extra steps if I wind wool (and also when I'm plaiting my hair), but not if I knit. It also counts extra if I'm weeding and shaking the earth off the weeds, so I put it on a belt loop when I'm gardening.

It also gives you a goal for each day, which seems totally arbitrary, and is supposed to count the calories used, but that bears no relation to reality. You are meant to wear it 24 hours a day and it'll tell you how you sleep but I don't think I want to know. It connects to the computer but then refuses to tell me what I've done, so I just note the steps and the distance. Although it's not perfect, I have increased my walking since having it, and feel fitter, if not thinner

Heeeeelp someone? My new fitbit is up and running (so to speak). It's counting steps ok, and logging food ok.

However it won't log exercise. . It says "not connected", but it IS connected.

I've just walked 15,000 steps buying the thing and now I can't log the buggers!

Where am I going wrong?

I'm still a newbie using mine. TBH I don't log what I eat. I'm just interested in steps and distance. I'm a bit disappointed that it doesn't register riding a bike.
Which Fitbit did you buy gettingonabit?

sunlover I've got a flex. I'm already a bit obsessed with logging things.

I've been playing with it for 4 hours..

For best results wear your Fitbit on your torso. I clip mine to the waistband of my jeans. Will indeed get weird results if worn on wrist.,