How do you get those extra steps in?

[zapleahy]

I live about four miles from my workplace and although I haven't yet walked all four miles to or from work, there are a few games I play during the week to increase my stepcount.

Some days I'll take the hillier, windier, unnecessarily long route to BART (San Francisco's heavy-rail rapid transit system). Almost always, I forgo the escalator for the stairs. Today, that act alone added 5 flights of stairs and over 250 steps to my morning journey.

My other favorite "cheat" is high stepping in place. Sure, I may look a little odd bouncing up and down while typing at my makeshift standing desk, but it feels good to keep the blood flowing and the legs moving! 

What do you do to get your extra steps in?

[MoodyFoody]

It picks up mine. I have it set on sensitive for sleeping. Maybe that makes the difference?

[Zee]

Hi Barbara, I agree I have to kind of step side to side.

[Zee]

I need to change my settings, I'll check that out. Thanks

[Zee]

MoodyFoody, you're making every step count.

[Zee]

Hi Jabrat, I miss you. I hope all is well. I've got something to run past you. In some of my Zumba classes my calories burned seem to be a lot lower than others using trackers other than the fitbit, why do you think that is? I am a lot higher energy and move twice as much as some of my classmates that report a higher calorie burn. Did you watch the Superbowl?

[Jabrat]

Zee yes I was watching the Superbowl - but I do think about the calories burned - I think people are all different -when it comes to burning calories - I have seen the men post big calorie burns which really makes me wonder - today I shoveled and dug out three houses - the calorie burn was there but no active minutes ?? But I did not break a sweat - can walk 3.7 on treadmill no active minutes - walk 3.8 on the treadmill and I have full active minutes - zumba I can get about 5000 steps and calories burned I will have to check on that one - I wonder if ankle weights would help

[Jabrat]

Did snow today and got 13000 steps and 1000 calories burned though - no VAM though - didnt break a sweat

[Jabrat]

what kind of Fitbit do u have - my Fitbit One picks up side to side steps and marching in place I watch it connect and pick up every step!!! Was stepping in the kitchen while my 85 year old mother was laughing at me just tonight

[BarbaraH]

I have the Fitbit One also. I think it's pretty accurate most of the time but when I noticed it not tracking stepping in place, I watched as I moved forward and backward and it seemed stuck. Once I started walking quicker and more consistently, it started counting steps again.

[Colinm39]

You will also notice there is a slight lag when you stop to view the steps, probably 1/2 a dozen or so, all about battery saving. 

You stop, look, and it appears to stop and you start stepping again, a quick look and you have increased by at least a dozen steps.

[Zee]

Colim, this has been my experience as well.

[Zee]

Good to hear from you Jabrat, I always like to get your input as well as the others. Everyone makes the fitbit even more useful with their tips and comments. I also get 5000+ steps with Zumba. Ankle Weights, I would not be able to move in my Zumba class with ankle weights, LOL. I am taking Zumba and Boot Camp tonight, I will see if I get a better calorie burn count. Interesting about your active minutes. My Zumba classes are an hour long and I don't think I get more than 30 active minutes. Thanks, have a fitbit week.

[Ali]

I am a great believer in rewards. Mine is a good strong latte. I make myself meet one of my daily goals - say 1/2 steps or flights of stairs - before I allow myself to have my beloved coffee. Then I can't have another until I reach my next goal. Works for me but I am addicted to coffee almost as much as my Fitbit.

[BarbaraH]

Thanks Colin! That makes sense!

[smr50]

That works for me! Since I live in a ranch home we have no steps. Therefore after two years I have finally figured out how to measure the floors. Isometric exercises for the legs work well.

[Zee]

I like your comment and totally agree. I don't feel complete if I don't meet my goals. I love seeing the congratulations message and that happy face when goals are met. 😄

[Zee]

Hello Jabrat and others, forwomen where do you think the best place is to where the Fitbit on your body?

[Carlab]

*I put mine clipped to my bra where a front clasp would be clasped. I wore
it on my waist and lost it so I will never wear it there again.*

[amyb68]

Quick question to the group - yesterday my fitbit said I had 36 active minutes but when I looked on the computer at my dashboard, it only logged 26 and never synced to 36.  Has anyone else noticed this?  I even logged the workout I did and didn't change the active minutes.  Is there a way to do this that I am not aware of?  Thanks!  And thanks for all the tips!  They are helping me reach my daily goal.

[Colinm39]

This issue keeps cropping up. Click on your Very Active Minutes (VAM) Dashboard tile, then click ALL, can you reconcile with VAM and Moderate. Are these totals the same as your Tracker?