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.

[Paisley9]

Hi Helena

I am 72 and just bought my Charge HR on June 1st.  I need to lose some weight, reduce my cholestrol, and shape up.  What are you trying to achieve?

[B1206]

Good start! I am just trying to stay active and losing a little weight
would be a great benefit. I'm 73 and have been using the original Fitbit
for about a year. I'm eager to hear how your new version works. Mine
doesn't count alot of my steps (Not an excuse! Just sounds like it.
You'll find the group of ladies using the Fitbits are very encouraging.
Just get walking and we'll be there to cheer you.
Barb (B1206)

[dancefoxtrot]

Hi Paisley

Welcome. I'm getting fitter, losing weight about 5 more lbs to go and trying not to rust out in the 70's.

Lost 10 lbs, take about 10,000 steps a day and some of that is cardio dancing. Not hard to do as cardio range is about 105-125 and dancing to swing, latin or cajun music will get me there.

We support you eating healthy food and getting fit.

Barbara G

[Paisley9]

Hi Barbara G
Thanks for the encouragement! When you first started, what happened with your weight? I have twice as much to lose as you. I, too, have been hitting the 10,000 steps, have lost 5.2 lbs and keeping the eating healthy and calories well below what I expend, but yesterday I gained 1.1 lbs and another .4 this morning. THAT is discouraging. What happened to you with the fat/muscle change? Did this happen to you?
Thanks
Vivian

[Paisley9]

Hi B1206
My Charge HR also loses a lot of steps. I walked to work, 2300 steps, and back home, only 1700 steps. It is about a mile, but I don’t know why it is inconsistent.......maybe I skipped home because I was glad to be out of the office!!!? It is discouraging, but I keep telling myself that my body knows, even if the fitbit doesn’t!
Vivian (Paisley9)

[Gloryb]

Vivian ~ I have the same issue with my Fitbit. I work out on a Nustep. I work like crazy to get my steps in & always get so excited when I hit over 6000 steps in 30 minutes on the machine. Leaves only 4000 for the rest of the day. But when I check my steps on my Fitbit, it may only register 5300 steps. Really disappointing. I do not do anything different for those other 700 steps. But as you say, the body knows. I would just like that added incentive in seeing it on my device. That is disappointing. Keep up the great work. It will all pay off in the end whether Fitbit recognizes it or not ~ your body will. Your reward will be in how your clothes are fitting. You will know. 🙂

[LisaAnnK]

I am 72 and have been using the fitbit for about 10 months.  I am new to this discussion and would be glad to participate and support your goals.  I hope this message gets through.  I am still struggling with the technology of this discussion board.  

[JulietBravo]

Hi LisaAnn, I got my Charge HR today. Am having fun with it. Not so much fun to set up, but I guess that goes with it. I'm 56 and have lost 13 pounds in the last 5 weeks taking some appetite suppressant, drinking a protein drink, dieting and exercising. I have 42 pounds to lose just to get to the "normal" range for weight/height.  Good luck!

[jeudi118]

Hi to the Fitbit community!

I am a 63 year old with a Fitbit one.  My kids gave me it for mother's day a couple years ago and I did use it.  Now, I am dusting it off and trying to lose about 15 pounds and be more active and aware of what I do.  Goal is that I would love to get the Fitbit Charge HR.  I think that is the one that collects heart rates?  For those of you who have it do you find it helpful?  

For those of you who work with a personal trainer, is it helpful?

[jeudi118]

Dancefoxtrot,

Do you do this to a tape?  If so do you have one you would recommend?  My son told me to get Beach Body,but that looks really strenuous to me!

[Gloryb]

Welcome, LisaAnn ~ I think you will enjoy the conversation & the wonderful support online. I am 65 & have used fitbit for a time & probably have not been as loyal. I do need to lose some weight & certainly want to. I actually journal my foods to see where I can make a difference. I tend to forget what I am eating. This makes it a little bit of a difference.
My fall out is that I get wrapped up in everyday responsibilities & don't make ME a priority. That has to change. Hope you the best ~ keep on stepping.

[Gloryb]

WTG! Keep on steppin' ~

[Gloryb]

I am going to date myself now. I am 65 & find a lot of the tapes, DVD's, although I would love to use them, are way to strenuous for me. I love to dance & I have taken out & dusted off my Richard Simmons tapes. I have a few of them ~ Dancin' to the Oldies. Love the music. It automatically makes me want to dance. Check out some of the consignment or thrift shops to see if they have them. I think you will enjoy those.
Keep on steppin' ~

[JulietBravo]

I had a ONE and liked it. I just got the CHARGE HR two days ago and I like it a lot. I am trying to lose 40 pounds and I find that the fitbit helps to motivate me. Last night I took the dog for a 1.5 mile walk just to get me to the 10,000 step threshold. Not sure I would have if I wasn’t thinking about it. I don’t let “10,000 Steps a Day” rule my life, but I’m enjoying trying to get there everyday. JB

[dancefoxtrot]

jeudi

I teach a Zumba like class for Senior Adults, most of whom are in their late 60's and 70's.  We stretch first, do aerobic dancing and lift light weights from 1 to 6 lbs slowly according to individual's ability. 

Check out utube videos under Zumba Gold as that is for older adults. My advice is to do what you can, get your heart rate up to your cardio zone and be able to still talk while exercising. I'm 74 so cardio zone for me is from 103-124. Your fit bit will tell you what it is but I think at 63 it would be 113-134. If the instructor on the video is going too fast for you don't despair just modify the steps and you will build strength and aerobic condition. In my classes we now do short, 30 seconds, run in place and use arms too, to briefly lift the HR above the cardio range a bit close to our max. Max is 220-your age. 

If you have heart disease check in with your MD as well. If you are on heart meds. like beta blockers and I think ace inhibitors they keep your heart rate lower so have a discussion with a good cardiologist about high intensity training first. 

Walk, dance, swim or bike just move and eat lots of veggies, non starchy ones, lean protein, fruit and drink lots of water and I think you will she good results. Be patient with the scale as first we build more muscle which is dense, and we can feel our clothes fit a little looser before the scale indicates loss. Getting 8 hrs sleep and reducing stress helps too. 

Just some ideas and a huge disclaimer as I am not an MD or a nutritionist. I like DrFuhrman,(dot)com for nutrition ideas and he is an MD. 

Wishing you tons of success and enjoyment in the lifetime journey. 

Barbara G

[dancefoxtrot]

Love my Charge HR. 

Barb

[dancefoxtrot]

Bravo Juliet,

Eat your non starchy veggies, too. 

Barb

[dancefoxtrot]

Paisley,

Keep the wrist on which you wear it swinging as you walk. Maybe that is the difference. I know that when I ballroom dance and in closed position my hands are still that many steps are missed. All the reason to move more I guess. 

The car can add steps while driving so I try to keep my fitbit hand in my lap to minimize that so we may also get extra steps. 

Best,

Barbara 

[dancefoxtrot]

Hi Vivian,

Oh yes, some ups and down on the crazy scale all along and I can explain why.  In hot weather the body saves water to function. We women have hormonal changes even after menopause so that changes things. Stress hormone cortisol slows weight loss so we need to breathe deeply and take the long view. Muscle weighs and we want nice lean muscle to move well and burn calories so we don't want to starve ourselves and yo yo back. 

At first I tracked calories and was shocked to see how many calories I got from a few handfuls of healthy raw or dry roasted nuts!  Even healthy hummus has calories. I have had to cut down on portion size and be super careful about late night eating, even healthy foods. Sometimes I feel hungry but if I drink water instead that calms down so I don't eat too much. I don't eat junk as I want my body to have the nutrients it needs to heal, repair and renew my cells. Loving our bodies enough to care for them is key for me. 

Today I( yippee) hit a new low of 141.1 but truly I started back on Jan 27 at 153 so that is not crazy rapid loss but I hope it is sustainable for a life time. 

Take care and keep on walking and eating and your body will love you for it. 

[MCarr]

Doesn't count step while pushing a grocery cart, either.  Found that out when shopping one day and took extra steps around the store.  All in all it's a great motivator.