Brand New Member Today

[rubygirl]

Hi! I'm new to this program today. Are these forums helpful?

[ohphotom]

Karen - Thank you for getting back to me. While I appreciate the
recognition, I'm as perplexed as you if it started working OK then doesn't
again. Perhaps it is defective.

Today I got an E-mail response from something I asked Fitbit Support. It
may take nearly half a week for them to get back to you and you may end up
having to call them anyway. When you finally get motivated and in the mood,
it can really side-track you if it isn't working for you right. At least if
they do end up having to send you a replacement, my experience suggests
they are quick with that.

Hang in there! - Ron

[George6Whiston]

Hey all, i'm looking for some healthy competition, add add add! 😄

[Kazzyp]

Good luck we all support each other on here. Get moving

Regards
Karen

[mlim650]

Hi.. just got my Charge HR from the store. It's still charging 

I will be comparing it to my Polar HRM. Anyone compared the Fitbit to traditional HRM? I use my Polar during my spinning clases.

[Kazzyp]

Hi Ron
Thank you for your comments and support the Fitbit have got back me they say it's been working ok but very hit and miss. Seems ok again now so as they say, watch this space.

Take care, happy tracking 😀

Karen

[ohphotom]

mlim650 - I've seen others (professional reviews as well as personal observations within Fitbit Forums) that have compared how accurate. Most say the chest straps are more accurate. As for me, I used the Nike Sportswatch with the Polar HRM (Nike+ compatible) and feel it is close enough for me.

What it may lack in scientific perfection is more than made up for the convenience as far as I'm concerned. Besides easier to get ready, my Fitbit is more capable of monitoring 24/7. So I can use it during fitness classes (including spinning classes or by yourself) and workouts in the gym as easily as going out for a run.

Like me, having had previous experience with similar devices will have you anticipate it will be real easy to navigate from one to the new. However, don't get discouraged if you still fumble around a bit like I did.

Not knowing what your goals are and all, I may well send you a friend request so we can compare where we're at. Don't feel obligated to accept if you feel we are too different and/or at levels so different it may be of little help that way. Either way, I wish you every success in achieving your goals! - Ron

[Sprudelwasser]

Hi TimSerious...I recently started a Fitbit group for Geeks.  Trying the group thing for the first time, but seem sto make sense.  I'm also a geek, but unfortunately not retiring just yet!  

Great way to get out from in front of the computer...which I spend at least 12 hours in front of.  I like video games...and fast cars.  

Moms are also invited to the group...since my Mom joined...lol.

If you're interested, we're really small but I'm trying to get a few folks in there...not hundreds...just tens kinda thing so we dont get lost?

So..if you're interested....come by and join!

https://www.fitbit.com/group/22P76V

[Sprudelwasser]

Hey guys...I'm not super new to Fitbit (got mine a few months ago) but I'm very new to the community.  I've been pretty good with it....but without the community, I'm finding you have nothing to push you.

So I've done a couple things...started a group for Geeks (https://www.fitbit.com/group/22P76V) and now puting my name out there asking for peeps to add me as a friend to push me as well!

I live in the San Francisco Bay Area.  47 year old geek...its a little bit of a push for me to get 10k/day, but I'm pushing past that now.

I work from home four days a week...which makes it a  little more difficult.

Anywho...friend me and I'll do my best to add some competition for you.

[Kazzyp]

But I live in the UK so our time zone don't sync well. Keep up the good work guys x

Karen

[ohphotom]

Karen - Since nobody is actually running the same time in these
Communities, does it really matter what time zone? Just check how much for
the day and you've either done more or less. Actually, you might get an
edge. Since their day finishes earlier, you might be able to observe you
only need x,xxx to beat them, which might actually make you try less than
otherwise. Your choice! - Ron

[Kazzyp]

Hi Ron,
Yes true, let's go for it. Ready steady gooooooo

Regards
Karen

[heart4six]

I just received the Charge HR for my birthday this weekend. Loving it so far! I need to step up my game though according to my stats haha. Would be great to find some fitbit friends for motivation!

[Kazzyp]

Good for you, keep going, hopefully I can up my steps next month when my job becomes a it more active. Keep stepping

Regards
Karen

[SunsetRunner]

Hi everyone! I am new as of today and just recieved my fitbit charge. I am pretty confused! Usually, I am pretty savvy as far as fitness community boards, but after I set up my fitbit, my dash board already says that I am over my calorie goal as well as other things and I haven't even done anything yet. I have entered my food for today and I set up a 1200 calorie goal and It is saying that I am over based off of the goals I set up. I chose the medium plan which is a 500 calorie deficit and I understand based off of that, I would be over. I know to stay healthy, nobody should ever eat less than 1200 calories per day and you'd think they would tell you that. So, I guess I am confused where my goals should be set at to maintain a healthy diet and to be able to still lose weight as well. I am 5'0 tall and currently weigh 124 lbs and my goal weight is to be 115 by summer. Any helpful advice would be great! Thank you and I apologize in advance if I confused anyone. HaHa I am used to My Fitness Pal and this new site may take a bit getting used to. Terri

[mynameisanika]

Terri, Its like you read my mind!! Im confused as to how to set up healthy goals as well. Looking to also lose about 8 lbs by the summer 🙂 Hope we get some answers! 

[SunsetRunner]

HI Anika,

Have you figured it out yet? LOL I am still confused, how I should set up my goals. Haha For example, looking at my dashboard right now, it says that  my calories in is 1,400 cals - 1,118 cals out and I am over 413 cals. I have only eaten 900 calories so far for the day and I just don't get it!! It also says that my breakfast is 551 cals in the faint grey area, but my breakfast summary is 311 cals, but I actually only ate 240 cals for breakfast. IDK....so confused!! UGHH!!!!

[Grahamx]

Hi,

     I'm new to fitbit today and have a charge hr as an early birthday present from my wife.  I've used it for an hour in the gym today and like the fact that it is easier than straps, or holding handles on a gym equipment.  It's still 2 clicks to get a pulse though - I thought you could leave the display on......

I'm in my mid fifties and have some weight to lose and strength to gain 🙂

Grahamx

[ohphotom]

Grahamx - To better extend the battery life, I believe they opted to have it turn off. Just one press of the buttom will display the time. To their credit, it can be read in daylight and night time. I use the Surge but got the Charge HR for my wife -- kind of a reverse of your situation.

Once you get used to it, you will hopefully like it -- a lot. If not, Fitbit does have a good return policy. Read up on the features to see if you feel it might be more suitable for you to trade up. Kudos to your wife to get it for you and kudos to you for taking advantage of it instead of doing nothing. Oh yes, if you do want to trade up, perhaps you could get a Surge for yourself and give her a Charge HR for her birthday. (Hint! Hint!) But instead of the same one, maybe smaller and a more fun color that she might appreciate. Then the two of you could walk together, etc. But it might be a good idea to discuss or at least probe for preferences first!

For my wife and I, I agree it is a lot more convenient to not have to use the chest strap or keep hands on the handles of gym equipment. Beyond that, it is also good that it records metrics 24/7 and not just during a run. Even weight training and the like didn't feel adequately assessed to me by devices that need the chest strap. Many argue that chest straps are more accurate. But for me, I feel I don't need to split hairs. Rather than be concerned with scientific accuracy, my goal is to aim for improvement or at least maintain levels.

A simple, good indicator of fitness is your Resting Heart Rate. Before, in order to reveal that, I had to wear the chest strap all night. Not only was that inconvenient but it was also uncomfortable. Even then I had to write it down somewhere. I'm pleased Fitbit has enabled us to track that and put within our stats. Oh yes, if weight management is one of your goals, you might also consider the Fitbit Aria for both of you. - Ron

[SunsetRunner]

I have a polar too, the polar heart rate is way more accurate

[ohphotom]

trilanikai - Perhaps the Polar HRM is way more accurate. But the systems it was paired with just seemed too much of an ordeal to utilize for the time and activities I do, as well as in between formal activities. I still have the older units but use the Surge instead. Yes, there are some things it can't do as well. But then again, I'm not at near the level of those such as yourself.

To put it another way, Fitbit seems good enough for me. Perhaps I should analyze it more. I must admit, I'm simply hoping it is consistent enough to provide reliable enough metrics that will ultimately benefit me, as I believe it does. To each their own I guess! Evidentally, whatever you are doing is working for you. It's always tough to remain motivated. At higher levels such as yourself, I can only imagine it can be quite a challenge to stay in the zone, week after week and through the seasons. I'm rooting for you! - Ron