Weekly Stats Email?

[gmm6797]

So, I have had my Flex for about 4 months now, and I receive my weekly stats email... other than the trends of more or less on all of the items.... what can I learn from these?

Better yet, is there a FAQ or something on how to improve my working out and exersize with the information in the dashboard?

About me: I work out at home (trying not to make this a sales pitch, so dont ask of you are offended), my goal is 6 days a week... I usually get in 5 (kids and life).  I work out before work and try to brown bag a lunch and eat sensibly about 90% of the time.

I have been hovering around the same weight since mid November, and want to get to the next level and down another 18 lbs, and then maintain that new weight.

Thanks in advance.

[RobS]

I am not aware of a FAQ, but the way I use that weekly stats email is mostly for motivation - mostly my best or most active day and my least active day and see if I can increase activity.  I also just see that I am on track and not beat myself up on thing if I wasn't as active as I wanted to be.

But as far as taking it to the next level, try changing up your workouts (if you are not doing so already).  Our bodies adapt to our activity so we have to challenge it and change things up. 

[gmm6797]

Thanks for the reply.

I do change up my workouts, I am following a program that has 5 weeks (each week is different too) then changes... and repeat 2x.

I just hear people talking about one of the competitors products that is out there and how it helps them to "improve" their workouts, and I am trying to learn how to parse through the data I am collecting now, and make it work to my betterment.

[DorothyP]

You might want to check out the premium package they have here... you can do a week trial, then there is a cost after that.   I have not tried it myself, but the description indicates that you wlll get more data, and motication tips

[gmm6797]

I have access to all of that data via their API, but I still dont know what to do with it and how to have it benefit my working out and daily life.

Thanks!

[Mary]

I think the trend IS the area to focus on improving.  If you're not losing, you need to move more or eat less, usually.  I think the Fitbit is designed to have you look at the big picture, not the 'workout'.  

[gmm6797]

I dont disagree, but 'knowledge is power' and I am not sure how to get the power out of this

[Mary]

I'm not sure I understand.  I think most of us use the data in these ways, though there are others:

* Make a daily steps goal and then strive to meet it.  

* Compete with friends or family on steps count.

* View the daily estimate of their calorie burn in order to eat less than that in order to lose weight.

[gmm6797]

That is kind of it... how is the best way to use the device and data
provided by it?

[gmm6797]

That is kind of it... how is the best way to use the device and data provided by it?

[Mary]

It depends what your goal is, really.  Why did you buy it, or was it a gift?

[gmm6797]

I bought it, and the concept sounded great and I like what I see on the dashboard on a daily basis, but I feel like there has to more I can do with it other than self motivation

[RobS]

In addition to Fitbit, I use MyFitnessPal.  I know there is overlap and the two can work together, but I prefer to keep it separate.  If you not logging food and activity into Fitbit, maybe consider doing so or an app like MyFitnessPal.  That should really help.  I never used to count calories but started using that app and it made me conscious of calories and portion sizes.  You set your goal and then it gives you a target calorie intake and you log your food and exercise.  I know Fitbit can do this too, and can work with the app so you don't duplicate things, but I started with MyFitnessPal before getting a Fitbit and tried once to use both together and didn't like it so now I just use my fitbit as motivation to meet my daily steps goal, calories burned estimate and sleep log.  But as far as recording my workouts and food, I use MFP.

[gmm6797]

I have been using MFP for many years, probably 7 or 8 years now... but have blown it off from time to time.

I log all food and exersize over there every day.

Thanks for the reminder, i should have included these tid-bits already