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Health

A bit fitter

(45 Posts)
DoraMarr Thu 16-May-19 21:47:07

I know I’m twelve years out of date, but I’ve just bought a Fitbit. My sister has an Apple Watch, and was tracking our steps on Monday. We walked 6 miles, but that only amounted to just over 10,000 steps, which surprised me. I’m hoping this device will motivate me to get off my rapidly spreading bottom and move a bit more. Has anyone else got one, and if so do you find it useful? Motivating? A waste of time/money?

crazyH Thu 16-May-19 21:51:44

Can't afford it and also too lazy ?

Ailsa43 Thu 16-May-19 23:43:41

Well done for wanting to get fit! 2,000 steps are approx one mile so if you're walking at an average pace and length of step, then 10,000 steps is 5 miles, and at an average speed should take about an hour and 40 minutes..

grannyqueenie Thu 16-May-19 23:45:40

One of my girls gave me hers, I’ve had it about 6 months now and I love it! Just looking at it makes me realise I’ve not walked much, at the same time I’m sometimes surprised how many steps i do just in and around the house and garden. Like you I’m disappointed that what seems like a decent walk isn't as many steps as I’d hoped. I wish i could say that my rapidly spreading bottom is slimming down! grin

tanith Fri 17-May-19 07:34:30

I have an app on my phone that counts my steps so no need to spend on one.

BlueSky Fri 17-May-19 10:01:25

I have an app on my phone to count steps and I average 8000 when out just looking around the shops or strolling. On a nice day I can go up to the 10000 but anymore leaves me drained.

Pollyanna2 Fri 17-May-19 10:13:54

I've had a fitbit for a couple of years - sometimes wonder if I've become a bit too obsessed with the info from it - same with smartphone hmm

Matelda Fri 17-May-19 10:19:32

You can do the steps in your living room in the warm by following one of the many "Walk at Home" videos on YouTube.

shysal Fri 17-May-19 10:24:51

I just use a reliable 3 axes pedometer. I do at least 10,000 steps every day, but unless I alter my eating habits I don't lose weight.
Good luck with your Fitbit.

DoraMarr Fri 17-May-19 10:31:40

Thanks, Fitbit users, on the whole you seem positive! I’ve set my goals quite low, but already this morning I am half way to my steps goal- taking the stairs rather than the lift, doing some singing games with my grandson, and walking around the apartment while he sleeps. A long walk in the park this afternoon and walking a couple of stops when I catch the bus this evening should crack it.

Pudding123 Fri 17-May-19 10:32:16

I walk with my neighbour 5 mornings a week and have done for 5 years now used a pedometer and do around 8000 steps a day .It really does is both the power of good ,we walk in all weather's except ice and snow.We set the world to right every morning.

dirgni Fri 17-May-19 10:39:56

I too use my phone.

Diggingdoris Fri 17-May-19 10:40:51

My children clubbed together and bought me one last July for my birthday, as I was going to treat myself to one. I have lost a stone so far. I try hard to reach 10k each day but don't always manage it, but over a week I always achieve 70k. My dog is slimmer as well and we both enjoy two walks per day. I feel so much better and being lighter has eased my knee problems so replacement not needed yet.

Blinko Fri 17-May-19 10:43:59

I read that over age 65, fewer steps are required to keep things ticking over - say 7,500. So that's my target each day. Some days I exceed it, some days I don't reach it. Hey ho, let's not be ruled by our fitbits...just enjoy walking.

kackie Fri 17-May-19 10:47:30

Yes and I wouldn’t be without it. I have a couple of heart conditions, had an ablation and my son bought me this to build up my fitness levels. I started off 2 years ago aiming for 10,000 steps and now my target is 17000. A very good day this month was over 25000 steps!! The best for me though is the heart rate monitor. As I have svt I now know if my heart rate is rising before I feel anything so I then rest for a couple of hours and am in control. I am not saying it is medically accurate but for me it works and motivates me. I walk now rather than drive if I can, am linked up with friends and we all compete with each other and motivate each other if we have a slow day. Great fun. Mine also vibrates if I am not moving, and tells me if I am on target. Great fun.

Riverdaffyd Fri 17-May-19 11:07:42

I am surprised that 10,000 steps equated to six mile, for me it is almost four miles. Have you measured the length of your step?

Annaram1 Fri 17-May-19 11:09:33

I have a basic fitbit. Due to asthma and a bad knee I am happy to walk only 2500 steps a day. My knee screams if I do more. Now my doctor is going to give me a steroid injection so I can go to Egypt and do some of the long walks and standing involved, so I might be able to do more steps. Has anyone had this injection?

Emelle Fri 17-May-19 11:38:14

I bought a Fitbit last December and have found it really motivates me to walk and I have now set my daily steps target to 15000. I am fitter but not losing any weight as I have an even better appetite!

NaughtyNanna Fri 17-May-19 11:54:03

My daughter just sits on the sofa and does her crochet. She clocks up 10,000 steps in no time!!!

Butweam1952 Fri 17-May-19 12:19:46

I had one for my 65th birthday. Think they really make you aware of how much exercise you are doing or not! Also love the fact that you know when someone is phoning or texting on it. My 9 year old granddaughter has a kid's one and she is always comparing steps with me. Needless to say her's is always much higher but then again so is her boundless energy ?!

Mauriherb Fri 17-May-19 12:50:26

I use a fit bit and find it useful. For me 10000 steps is just over 4 miles . I'm not obsessed with it but find it motivates me to get up off my butt!

Parklife1 Fri 17-May-19 12:53:06

I’ve got an Apple Watch and I love it. Two years ago I wanted to start Pilates and after a lengthy search I found an affordable class.

Now I do Pilates, yoga, Zumba, body conditioning, Flex and Tone and Booty Barre. I do at least nine classes a week and it’s a social housing hi g too. Last weekend I did a ten mile walk for charity. I average 10,000 plus steps a day. Last weekend it was 33,000.

Hm999 Fri 17-May-19 13:01:50

I love my Fitbit. Yes it motivates me, and am fascinated by seeing where my heart rate peaks and troughs

Willow500 Fri 17-May-19 13:10:55

I've had mine for ages - I bought it for the heart monitor when I developed AF but I rarely check it and mostly use it as a watch. I don't have anywhere much to walk to but do try to walk to our small town when I can. I don't actually trust the step counter as I've tracked the same journey on that and my phone and got totally different results - I did calibrate it when I first got it but wonder just how many times it's counting doing the ironing as walking steps?!

Greciangirl Fri 17-May-19 13:29:28

Parklife.
How do you manage to fit all those classes in.
You sound very energetic.
Do you mind my asking how old you are.