topic Re: Fit Bit counting...ugh in Wellness

Fit Bit counting...ugh

sarahpanda — Tue, 26 May 2020 14:14:59 GMT

I got a Fit Bit - and according to the count on it, this morning I've walked a total of '''14'' steps while sitting in my recliner typing on my laptop. I just don't get the hype about them - seems pretty inaccurate to me.

Re: Fit Bit counting...ugh

Sooner — Tue, 26 May 2020 14:17:55 GMT

@sarahpanda You are kidding? Fourteen steps? In the face of the thousands you are supposed to get day, it is statistically insignificant.

Re: Fit Bit counting...ugh

Tricolor — Tue, 26 May 2020 14:24:57 GMT

I get between 20,000-25,000 a day depending upon my activity level. Of course I bust my butt to get those numbers. Not sure if you understand how this works. They recommend getting 10,000 steps a day. If you are physically able try to move a bt more. You will be surprised how those steps mount up. BTW I am not a youngster either. I am 70.

Re: Fit Bit counting...ugh

wagirl — Tue, 26 May 2020 14:27:46 GMT

When I fell for the fit bit hype and got one----my wrist, and arm were logging in the many hundreds of "steps" even early in the a.m. I then put it around my ankle, just on a hunch-----and my totals were way under the 10,000 step goal even being as active as I am----you just wave your arm around and get tons of steps and not move anything else. Kind of a rip off.

Re: Fit Bit counting...ugh

mac116 — Tue, 26 May 2020 14:28:05 GMT

My SIL gets most of her "steps" while playing cards. I have a Fitbit, but find that a pedometer is more accurate to count actual steps. I don't always move my arms while doing daily activities.

Re: Fit Bit counting...ugh

sarahpanda — Tue, 26 May 2020 14:31:59 GMT

Sounds like there are some that have faith in the Fit Bit - but I'm thinking if I stay in my recliner a few hours on my laptop, the F.B. will show that I've done a couple of thousand of steps by the end of the day...ho hum...

Re: Fit Bit counting...ugh

AuntG — Tue, 26 May 2020 14:37:37 GMT

My husband accumulated thousands of steps on the riding lawn mower. I got a $12 pedometer that I wear on my wrist. It's been very accurate in helping me reach 10,000 steps a day (yes, I actually counted a walk around the park and compared the totals).

Re: Fit Bit counting...ugh

millieshops — Tue, 26 May 2020 15:22:09 GMT

@sarahpandalol you must have moved a bit when you thought you'd been perfectly still.

Although I don't follow that 10,000 steps a day which was some advertising gimmick started years ago, I do think if you can you want to move a bit more!

BTW - I don't own a fitbit, but I do occasionally take my phone on my walks - and you're right, they give us an approximation of our steps, nothing a committed athlete probably wants to know. I say that because even on 2 consecutive days on which I walk the same path, I get 2 different numbers quite often. And the percentage of differences can be minuscule or significant.

I pretty much ignore what it tells me - by now I know how long and far to walk to make me feel good and to give me the blood test results I want as long as I also think before I eat! I'm using advice from my doctors just as I do with the current medical crisis although I do look at what others say and check in with those advisers as I feel the need.

Re: Fit Bit counting...ugh

PilatesLover — Tue, 26 May 2020 15:33:35 GMT

There are inaccuracies, true. I can particularly understand why a riding mower would generate so many "steps" with all the bouncing around.

In the grand scheme of things, however, my Fitbit motivates me to get up off my butt and move more. Whether it pinpoints the exact number of steps or not, it's a win for me to strive to get to 10,000 steps a day because it nudges me to walk more and to get up and move more during my sedentary job.

It also encourages me to get aerobic activity in a few times a week, because I can see that workout the next day and feel proud about it.

Re: Fit Bit counting...ugh

jackthebear — Tue, 26 May 2020 16:36:22 GMT

@sarahpanda wrote:
I got a Fit Bit - and according to the count on it, this morning I've walked a total of '''14'' steps while sitting in my recliner typing on my laptop. I just don't get the hype about them - seems pretty inaccurate to me.

if you have it on your wrist it's sensing your had moving probably

Re: Fit Bit counting...ugh

ROMARY — Tue, 26 May 2020 16:41:37 GMT

I'm trying to minimize 'steps'.

That is, going up and down steps.

Way too many steps re: doing laundry, forgetting to get something upstairs, etc., etc.

Wearing myself out, even before leaving the house for a short walk.

(lol)

Re: Fit Bit counting...ugh

sarahpanda — Tue, 26 May 2020 17:40:32 GMT

@ ROMARY 1....I COULD HAVE WRITTEN YOUR POST ! HAHAHA

Re: Fit Bit counting...ugh

Mmsfoxxie — Tue, 26 May 2020 20:15:06 GMT

I get over 10,000 'steps' a day. Movement is what I'm looking for. If my knees or feet are bothering me, I'm glad that I can still get my 'steps' doing chair exercising, moving my arms and legs. It's all about being active whether walking or not. You can breathe pretty hard working out in a chair.