Just wondering if there are any older women trying the Fitbit, I am 70 and just started.

[helena]

Looking to see if anyone else my age is trying the fitbit to lose weight, I am 70 but I do workout with a personal trainer and take Yoga.

[DblGee]

@kruger- look here on the Board under the Help Forums - there are pages dedicated to charging issues.  They are aware and working on the problem.  In the meantime - I've found if I make sure the device is clean <I use an alcohol wipe to clean the contacts before/after> and keep it level while charging - it helps.

[rbs0530]

I love this forum! I am 58 years old soon to be 59 next week and got my Fit Bit for Mother's Day. I've got about 20 pounds to shed...really tough. I've been able to get off of a couple of meds through diet and supplements I take but the weight is really slow to come off. I love my FitBit! I walk 2 miles everyday and look forward to seeing how many steps I do by the end of the day. This device is keeping me an honest girl! I'm looking to up my walking to 3 miles next week. Looking forward to sharing experiences with others in this forum and be a source of encouragement for each other!!:

[offthewall]

Fitbit keeps me going! Even on days when I cannot make my 6000 step goal - I still walk more with it on -ever reminding me to keep going. Started using the Nu-Step recumbant machine at gym (mostly old folks like me - or those with some physical problem (like me with 2 steel hips) seem to be using them).  I am up to 110 calories burned in 29 minutes.  Am sure I will slowly increase calories burned as the weeks pass. I think that every other day is the most I can get on it. Was going to "rest" today - but had soap suds in my dishwasher and took over 3 hours to get rid of them (and a lot of paper towels and 7 rinse cycles).  Then was going to finish mowing lawn - but just as I went out ... the rain began.  Maybe tomorrow will be more productive (will get to gym).  Would like to be down at least 10 lbs by my 73rd birthday in 3  1/2 weeks ( a total of 10lbs down in 8 weeks).   My goal is weight loss and muscle gain and not getting sick while eating moderate amounts of healthful foods and exercising. Bev

[kruger]

sounds like you did enough today to use up plenty of steps even with out going to the gym.
If I could be down 10 lbs by Oct which is my birthday I would be thrilled, but I don't lose weight very easily but have to keep trying.
Hypertension and hips that get lots of pain and also my knees so figure the less weight I carry the better off I am.
Been on this since mothers day and I am getting pretty regular at getting in 5000 steps. I also do 45 min of pool exercise which of course does
not count as steps but it does seem to count calories burned so we shall see.
This is the first time I have tried something that said if calories in are less then calories out you will lose weight, not sure I believe that but I am willing
to try and I love the calorie counter===we shall see

[kruger]

yes I think the fitbit does make you think about what you are doing and eating and at times it shocks you with how high the calories are
on some foods. I also got my fitbit for Mothers day so just getting started.
Awful hot here in florida now for walking but I get in the pool and exercise in there. Need to get back to the fitness center too because I have a
zumba class I really like and it will be interesting seeing how many steps that takes.
Who knows we may have found the secret, I sure hope so

[Calledonia]

I find it's just a numbers game. I eat fewer calories and do more exercise. I've also upped my protein intake, which helps me stay fuller for longer. Plus I eat a lot of low-fat dairy, which protects bone health - I know this goes against a lot of current (fad) thinking, but it works for me.

[offthewall]

Right on! fewer calories in - more expended.  I will not give up my morning whey & fruit blender drink (dislike the current term "smoothie") - and plain nonfat greek yogurt is great. (I do use olive oil on my veggie & bean meals and on salads).  Have cut way back on meat to:  1. save calories   2. save $$          3. it can be a binge food for me!! 

[Lightsinger]

Hi, I'm 66 and got my Fitbit for Christmas last year, and it has been very motivating.  I got down to my goal weight, and promptly set myself a new goal of five pounds lighter. 🙂  I try to mix up the exercise:  I walk 3-4 times a week, exercise bike 2-3 times and throw in a swim now and then since the weather is warmer.  Soon it will be too warm to walk outside -- already is most days -- so I'll be walking at the mall for the most part.  I use their air conditioning, and stop off at the cake shop for a small treat and a nice cup of coffee to support the merchants.  🙂  I find after almost a year of doing this -- started before the Fitbit -- that I now crave the activity.  Didn't start getting active until the last year, so it really is never too late.  🙂  Keep it up folks! 

[Jabrat]

Great job - keeping active is very important and Fitbit will do that - I will always have one

[offthewall]

Was reading on the internet that interval training is the best way to speed up calories burned.  So I just began doing that on the NuStep - 3 minutes at moderate speed and 1 minute as fast as I can.  Then today went on treadmill - I walk very slowly - 1 1/2 mph but I get the added effort when I up the incline to 9 or 10 degress - same intervals - about 3 minutes zero incline and then 1 minute 10 degrees. Since I am coming up on birthday #73 - I use the heart rate feature on treadmill to tell me if I am overdoing it.  So... am hopeful that in a few weeks my pounds loss rate per week will increase. (I feel better already and my 2 replaced hips feel better too).

(The theory is that interval training boosts metabolism long after the exercise is over - and I sure hope it works for me)!!  - Will report back sometime in  June).

Bev

[JudyRoss]

i am 55 and have been using the fitbit for the last 4 months - I find that I walk a lot more since wearing the flex. I try to outdo my previous steps all the time. I do not utilise all the areas offered to me as i don't have time to write everyting down every day. I do plan my menu once a week and generally stick to it and the wrist band bugs me if I wear it 24 hours a day. The main features I utilise are steps and active minutes. The distance covered is generally very wrong (I rely on my runkeeper app to calculate distance walked). I have had an update on my ipad today that does use gps to calculate distance walked but unfortunately doesn't seem to appear on my android phone app yet. This is sad as I walk with my phone not my ipad

[mjxcw]

You can snap it on your bra if it's bugging your wrist.

Sent from my iPhone

[JetV]

Hi Judy,

I got a fitbit zip about 4 months ago and lost it after a couple of weeks. BUT - today I found it. So now I am going to try and use it to encourage me to increase the number of steps I do daily. I am also doing 5:2 to lose some weight and hopefully the two lifestyles will work well together.

[JudyRoss]

Thanks for your response. I actually feel guilty if I am not wearing my flex. I am training to do a charity walk (35km/~20mile) in October in Sydney and I have a minimum 13,000 steps to complete on a regular working day. I live in Melbourne (Aust) and completed a similar distance by walking part way around the bay in 7 hours, taking 50,000 steps.
All this walking (my only form of exercise) has helped me lose 14kg in a 6 month period; healthy eating has also played a role.
What is 5:2? The only thing I can think of is 5 veggies and 2 fruits. Is this what you mean?

Sent from my Samsung GALAXY Note3 on the Telstra 4G network

[JetV]

Hi Judy,

5:2 means 5 days normal eating (no bingeing) and 2 days of (almost) fasting. Women are allowed 500 calories on a fast day and the other days you eat normally but don't over do it. After the first few times of fasting, you start getting used to it and it seems to curb your appetite on the other days as well.

[GMG64]

I am encouraged by your post... I just turned 64 and have always been very active - but over the past three years I have had both knees operated on and soon to be both thumb joints replaced. I can't do much of anything anymore without a lot of pain and problems. My daughter gave me the fitbit for my birthday last week and I am determined to find a way to exercise and lose the 25 pounds that is literally weighing me down. Your idea of interval training is right on.. I'd forgotten about that - I used to "run, walk" and it worked really well for me. I just pulled the Red (seated exerciser) out of storage and the ab cruncher that I've had for 10 years! I am able to use these pieces of equipment so I am going to give it my best. I like seeing the results on the fitbit - it does help motivate me. 

[offthewall]

Well.. the interval training I have been doing since the end of June is increasing my strength and endurance.  I have gone up on the Nu-Step resistance setting from 5 to 8 (max is 10) and today I dragged a 13 foot rug from my car and up 8 steps and past kitchen - and it is lying in my hallway (I ran out of steam).  Maybe I will try to get it to living room tomorrow (or wait for my stepson on Saturday).  The weight is still coming down slowly - but clothing feels looser. Am trying to have 2 very low calorie days per week  - but I have a lot of social lunches/dinners this month! Let's just keep at it!!

[DedFlwrs]

My 86 year old mother uses a fitbit that I gave her and loves it.  She does not do the forum thing.  Although she is an avid Facebook user.

Keep up the good work  🙂

[CarolAnnS]

Hi! I am 48 and trying to lose weight before full on menopause kicks in. I kick myself for not doing this sooner, but I'm here now 🙂

I'm starting by setting one very mini goal, then, if I make that, or when I do, I'll set up another mini goal. Losing 4 pounds at a time seems much easier to me than trying to lose 65. So, I'll lose 4 pounds 16 times!

I started weight training again, I love weight lifting. I love looking at heavy weights and thinking, "I'm gonna lift that! If not today... I'll get there someday!" I think muscle is super important, plus I like how my arms look when they have some shape.

I saw something about a 5:2 plan? Have any of you had sucess with that?

[kruger]

You are lucky to be able to lift weights. I did that for a while but I managed to hurt my shoulder so can't do that any more. It was great fun. I also like Zumba but this summer I have just been spending an hour in the pool with my pool barbels and the pool noodle. Got my pool exercise from going to the gym. They taught me how to do them. It really helps with the arthritis and range of motion , and yes it makes my arms look better

Sent from my iPad