Wellness

[SXMGirl]

be aware that you probably are walking more steps and miles than is being recorded.  I have been trying to do at least 10k steps every day (some days not so much), but it seemed to take forever to get those steps. 

This morning, because I was heading to TRX and the room is always too cold for me, I decided to work out on the treadmill before class to warm up.  When I arrived at the Y, I had about 1100 steps.  After doing 3 miles on the treadmill, my Alta said only 1500 steps and 1.5 miles.

When I got home, I Googled and found that this is common for the Alta and to expect it to be about 15 percent off.  What I found even more interesting is that the steps are not measured by actual steps but by arm movements. 

I decided to try out arm movements without walking and all of a sudden steps appeared.  I feel cheated and exhausted from all of this walking that is not being counted. 

If your Alta is working properly, that is great.  Mine, unfortunately, is way off.

[sidsmom]

That's why I always preferred a hip-mounted pedometer,

even waaaay back in the DigiFit days.  I have my little 

Fitbit Zip today...always accurate when worn on the waist/hip,

never disappointed.

"Hips Don't Lie"

(giggle snort)

[Mmsfoxxie]

I don't think any of them are completely accurate.  I started with the Fitbit Zip and a couple of months ago, bought the HR2.  I don't call it a step counter, I call it an activity counter or monitor.

When I noticed that I got just as many points for my chair exercises as my walking, I realized it's keeping the body moving that is the objective, especially the arms.  I have cardio classes on my feet which I enjoy more but I have arthritis everyplace and when I do too much in one area, it hurts.  So when my feet hurt, I have to workout another way.

One of the chair exercises that we do involves sitting on the edge of your chair to free up as much thigh as possible and act like you're running in place.  Do arm and or hand movements at the same time.  I'm telling you those numbers tally up really fast.  Geriatric, but it works the body and the Fitbit.