Have you got a fitbit?

I have a Fitbit One. I aim for 70000 steps a week - my seven day total at the moment is 72582, and I'll do a few more steps before midnight. I also have the 'My Fitness Pal' app on my 'phone, which I really like as I can zap the bar codes for most foods and easily enter everything I eat. I don't do this all the time but for some weeks to keep an eye on my diet.

My Fitbit steps come up on 'My Fitness Pal' and if I have walked enough it raises the amount I can eat without going into the red. Very motivating. One of my sons was talking to me recently from his mobile 'phone and was sounding a bit breathless .... he was going up and down the steps while waiting for the train so that he could have a beer when he got home without going into the red.

When I swim I can enter that manually onto MFP.

One of my daughters-in-law started me on both of these. Several members of my family, including a grandson, have the same Fitbit and I cheer my grandson whenever he overtakes me on the step count. Even though two of my sons are overseas at the moment we sometimes challenge each other to a 'Daily Showdown' or 'Weekend Warrior' for example. I don't often challenge the daughter-in-law as she runs and is on over 134000 for the week as I write.

I have had my Fitbit less than two years. My highest number of steps in a day is 40000 and I have walked over 4000 km since i got the device.

You can probably tell I am a fan.

Insurance

Daughter has friend who ties the fitbit to his dog - something about being monitored by health insurence co.....

Well, now you mention it!

Oh well, another reason not to do all that ridiculous walking.

In the same way I wouldn't keep a mobile phone near my breasts

I have a Fitbit. I live in a small flat but if it's bad weather or I don't want to go out I just "walk" in my flat. I don't go by the amount of steps I do but the active minutes I do. I do 30 minutes at least every day. I have heart problems that are ongoing so exercise is important.

You don't need a lot of space to walk. If I'm not out I just go back and forth in my flat listening to the radio or whatever. 30 minutes or more soon passes.

Thank you, gransnetters. I had been wondering about buying a Fitbit recently and you have introduced me to the Fitbit zip which sounds good . Debenhams have them on sale just now at £15 off and I have bought one. Years ago I lost a lot of weight and got fit by wearing a pedometer and doing the 10000 steps a day routine. It was an easy and effective way to get me moving more. I was horrified at how sedentary a life I led. I chalked up the steps by moving about more in the house as well as walking. I didn't achieve 10000 steps every day but I was certainly much more active and I was pathetically pleased when I achieved a personal best.

Whaaat?!!!!!!!

I'd be worried about cancer clipping one to my bra?!

I think you'd have to fidget on your feet loopy!

That's a thought Ana! Does fidgeting have the same effect? I'm good at that!

loopy, apparently you can cheat use a Stepper instead of braving the Great Outdoors! I have a mini-trampoline that I sometimes have a session on. It's all exercise, after all...

My bits aren't fit I fear
What's 10,000 steps in real life? 5 miles?

With a largely sedentary job I'm a bit about just how little exercise I do, especially in the winter which I hate.

Is one type better than another?

The little green one that clips on your bra. Or on your belt.

I'm intrigued having read this. I googled Fitbit but was overwhelmed with info. Don't know where to start. Which version would be most suitable for a big couch potato (in both senses of the word?)

10541 today. I find that going for a walk along the cycle track for half an hour, sitting down on a seat for a bit, then walking back is 8000 steps minimum, so not much more needed to get the 10,000.
Taking my granddaughter to school and coming back home is 4000 steps. I always think they should count more if it's uphill, as it is on the way back.

I have a Fitbit. It lives on my dressing table. Permanently.

The 10,000 steps thing was a number plucked out of thin air by some Japanese marketing people when they began selling the first pedometer invented. There is no scientific basis for the number.

I've had one for a year or so, really like it. Mine clips to my bra and the battery lasts for months. It's a Fitbit Zip. I do about 15,000 steps a day, so well over the recommended amount but then, I do have a dog and we both really enjoy long walks.
Wait until Shysal finds this thread - she's the Fitbit queen and walks more than me!

Yes, I have one - it's great as long as you remember to replace the sensor once it's charged!! I have forgotten a few times and got half way through the day before I discovered

Certainly you can - please post photo.

Aha, Brummiegran - was just going to look on the fb web site to try to find out what it was all about - so they say 10,000 steps and someone said you work up to it gradually - that means i have done one twentieth of the recommended number of steps today.

Ooer....so a "proper walk" would be for five hours??? Half an hour round park was less than 5,000. Feeling faint, will go and lie down for a bit. Can you make up steps by waving legs in air?

I got one for my birthday and I'm loving it. You do need to have a proper walk and or exercise to reach the 10000 steps. It has made me realise how little aerobic exercise I took despite keeping busy. Persevere, it gets easier!

All my bits are fit!