Fitbit ONE Done? Alta Alternative?

Pretty much everyone who knows me at all knows I'm a Fitbit fan. I got my original Fitbit Ultra back in 2010. I upgraded to the One shortly after it became available. I tried out the ChargeHR (still keeping my One too ... double tracking!) and recently upgraded to the Charge 2. I've sold family and friends on Fitbit and am the resident "go to gal" for questions. I've done oodles of Fitbit posts here on my blog. 

As a Fitbit Family, we've tried out almost every make and model. We've had dozens of Ones and Zips through the years. Some malfunctioned, some were lost, and several are sitting unused here at our house. My youngest started wearing one again (a Zip ... he lost his One). My oldest has the Blaze, my 14-year old the Alta.

Recently, my One was giving me a little trouble. It wouldn't sync, and I'd have to do a "soft restart" to get things going again. As I'm addicted to my Fitbit feedback and don't want to deal with lost data, I thought I'd look into getting a new One to have on hand as a backup if this one failed.

That's when I found out ... 

the Fitbit ONE is done. 

Fitbit has discontinued it! While (for now) the Zip clip is still an option in their inventory, it seems Fitbit is focusing on wrist trackers. The Flex, Alta, Charge, Blaze, Surge and the latest, the Ionic. All wrist trackers. 

Fitbit ... don't you know? Not everyone likes wrist trackers! Many people don't like the look or they prefer actual watches. Many are unable to wear wrist trackers due to work/sport restrictions.  I for one, am not sold on their accuracy. Wearing both the Charge and One and comparing numbers ... the wrist tracking Charge is almost always well below the One (and the One step estimates are closer to actual measurements via GPS or treadmill displays and my old Omron, as detailed below). Many have complained that activities using arms to push (strollers/shopping carts) result in missed steps. At the end of the week, I generally have a difference of over 20k between my two devices.  And while my experiences have always had wrist trackers come in lower, many have exclaimed over extra steps added for simple hand movements.

The Fitbit One has a very loyal following. Many are original customers, dating back to when the One was the ONLY  option. Even as all the other, more advanced alternatives, became available, I and so many others were still completely happy sticking with our little Ones. News that it is no longer being sold has many up in arms. There's a thread devoted to it on the Fitbit Forums with unhappy customers commiserating and complaining about its loss.

What alternatives are there? Fitbit has tried to convince customers that the Zip or Flex are options ... they are NOT. They are completely different ... and inferior. Then the Alta, with an aftermarket 3rd party clip was brought up. At first I dismissed the idea, but then figured I'd look into the Alta alternative a little bit more.

I ordered a clip, and then borrowed my son's Alta. You can see in the pictures here that the One and Alta are quite similar in size and shape, both easily worn under clothes clipped to a bra or on pants pockets.  The Alta has two models available, one with a heart rate tracker and one without. While the basic Alta has a price point of $129.95, it has been offered for $99 very often ... that matches the selling price of the One (generally listed for $99 ... although now due to supply and demand, some are selling for over $200 on ebay) ... although you do have to factor in the additional $8 for the aftermarket clip! Wearing both the One and the Alta in basically the same spot on my bra (and still wearing my Charge2 on my wrist) I compared numbers and the Alta and the One seemed quite consistent. Here are some of my activities the last couple days ...

Steps tracked for 20 min elliptical ... Charge 2181, Alta 2714, One 2774

Steps tracked for 20 min elliptical ... Charge 1781, Alta 2615, One 2613

Steps tracked for 30min/1.80mile treadmill walk ... Charge 3449, Alta 3857, One 3851

Steps tracked for 30min/1.75mile treadmill walk ... Charge 3292, Alta 3682, One 3676

Steps tracked for 60min Zumba ... Charge 6233, Alta 7337, One 6276

Steps tracked for 60min Zumba ... Charge 5907, Alta 7156, One 6515

Total Steps Monday ... Charge 28108, Alta 31997, One 31942

Total Steps Tuesday ... Charge 26287, Alta 32085, One 31602

Now who is to say the Alta/One numbers are closer to correct than the wrist worn Charge? Well, I've been a double tracker gal for a while. Before I got my Charge, I wore an Omron pedometer on my hip. Its numbers and the Ones were always quite close (Omron/One). Also, the One's estimates are closer to actual readouts (the treadmill tells how many miles have been walked). 

Double tracking ... One and Omron.

They were usually close, but I remember this day in Feb2014
when they were EXACTLY the same.

So ... in size, cost, accuracy, the One and Alta alternative are fairly close.

Both show the same stats, both have silent alarm options.
Both have illuminated displays and a rechargeable battery.

CONS ...

• No altimeter: The One tracks "floors" and the Alta does not. I like the floors feature, but it's not a deal breaker for me. It IS for many people.
• No timer: Press and hold the button on the One and it starts a timer. It may seem obsolete because the Alta has auto-tracking (which is listed under Pros) but it's a feature I used almost daily. It's how I knew I'd completed at least an hour of Zumba or used it to time weight workouts.
• Display: On the One, you press the button change the display options, on the Alta, you have to "tap" ... personally, I have trouble with the tapping (not hard enough, too hard and it skips forward). I prefer pressing the button! Initially, I was very displeased with the vertical display on the Alta, but I checked into it and was able to switch it to a horizontal presentation just like the One, which I prefer.

PROS ...

• Auto Tracking: The Alta will recognize your activities so you don't need to start/stop the timer to record workouts or sleep! That is a nice feature. 
• Reminders to Move: I've enjoyed this feature in my new Charge 2 (the One doesn't have it, nor did my old ChargeHR). If I haven't reached my 250steps each hour, I'll get a small nudge to do so. I rarely sit, so I don't get the reminders that often ... the vibration is quite light, sometimes I miss it.
• Battery Display: With the One, I can only tell the battery level by checking the app or website, or plugging it in to charge. The Alta shows the battery level as one of the options as you scroll through the stats. 
• Wrist Option: While this post is aimed at the Alta in a clip as an alternate to the One,  you do have the wristband option if by chance you wanted it at some point.

There are several 3rd party clips to choose from ...

This is the one I bought off Amazon

So, while I was originally quite dismayed at finding out the One was no longer available ... my experiment here has proved to me that the Alta will be an adequate alternative for me. My One is still working for now, and I'll wear it until I wear it out! We'll see if Fitbit listens to its clip customers and comes up with any more acceptable solutions. Fitbit doesn't recommend wearing trackers other than the way they were intended, saying that can lead to faulty step counts. Yet my experiment (and I realize two days isn't "proof" or anything) seemed to indicate that it is the wrist wearing placement that can cause greater inaccuracies. And ironically, Fitbit markets a pendant worn around the neck as an option for their Flex2 ...

... I best return the Alta to my son, before I get addicted to THREE trackers at once!

Upping the Activity

 Workout Wednesday

Ah ... my home gym. Treadmill, elliptical, stationary bike and full weight set (and a few fans! *Ü*) I'm spoiled. In the past few months, while I never stopped working out, my activity did wane. With the holidays, prepping for #1 son to return home after two years away (we'd given away his room and had to rearrange to find everyone a spot) and just some discouragement ... 

Trying to jump back on the workout wagon (even though I KNOW it's the eating!)

Tuesday, I had my first 30k day since October(2016) when I had two. 

Then today ... Wednesday, I did it again. 

I've been good at getting up and hitting the elliptical first thing. One 20min session then I wake up the boys. Prep lunches and make sure they are ready, then another 20 before driving middle school carpool (#2 drives himself and #3 to school). Back home, one more 20min session then off with #5 to elementary. 

I haven't been great at getting to Zumba on Wednesdays for a while. But I did today. Then I had some treadmill time. 30min/2miles.  I really tried to push myself. I know ... I'm more of a quantity over quality when it comes to workouts. I have such a hard time getting my heart rate up. Admittedly, my elliptical is pretty easy, my bike time is more about reading than riding (I just feel a little guilty spending too much time in a book, but if I'm "exercising" than it's okay, right?)

Zumba can be a little hit and miss. At times, I have great energy, get really good stats/steps and other times ... it's half hearted (and that is absolutely reflected in the heart rate). It can depend on the teachers, and whether or not I know or like the songs ... and other times, it seems like no matter what I do, even giving it my all, it just doesn't show much in the stats. I still absolutely enjoy my Zumba though. Beyond just exercise, it gets me out of the house (which is an issue), has given me confidence and many new friends.

Here's a closer look at my Treadmill Time ...

I do NOT like running. I rarely "run" ... 5mph is a comfortable jog, but I can't keep that up for too long (I did do one WHOLE mile last week). As everyone seems to say HIT workouts are the thing, I try to add intervals, turning up the treadmill (I tried a little 6mph, 7mph and even 8mph for a small stretch ... very small).  But this might motivate me to see if I can improve on these stats, push it into the peak a bit more. I don't know that I'll ever actually enjoy running ... I know MOST people prefer the outdoors to a treadmill, but the weather (hot sun or cold rain), cars, dogs, insects, stranger danger ... and just the possibility of getting stuck far away from home if there is a problem (even just a potty problem). 

See? Here's #1 having to pull rocks from the groves in his shoes.

That doesn't happen on a treadmill!

 ... and a little funny from last week. #1 son took off running in the rain. It turned to snow and he was freezing and miserable and had a cramp and was a few miles away from home, up by the high school. He went into the school, and had his brother called from class ... and absconded with his car, driving home. 

He tracks his miles on his shoes ...

When he first got home from his mission, he spent a little time in the gym (with weights) but hasn't been in there much. The seniors on the other hand ...

They seem a little lost without basketball. It's been LIFE for the past several years, and now it's over (except for Stockton ... he's planning on playing college ball). Many days after school #2 and friends hit our home gym. #3 son has been spending time with weights too, and even #4 has started hitting the gym again (both working with weights, and on the treadmill). Once again, BOYS IN MY GYM! I always try to make sure I get in whatever workouts I want during the day, because I don't know if my gym will be available when school is out. 

Next is Spring Break ... not sure what that will do to my routine!

Fitbit Followup and Funny Phrases

I'm a Fitbit Fan. At one point, I got the whole family on board (Fitbit Family, A Fitbit Family Update) and we'd have friendly competitions and see where we stood on steps compared to each other. Then ... my family fell off the Fitbit wagon (Abandoned Bits). Even my #4, who was completely obsessed and beating me for a while, gave his up. I was the only one left at home wearing my Fitbit.

While #1 son was on his mission to Mexico, he was really good at sending me his steps every week ... until about a year and half in. But I wondered ... when he was back at home, could wear an actual Fitbit (he was just using a cheap pedometer) and sync to a phone or computer ... would he want one? He did! He picked the ChargeHR (which #4 had been using up until recently) and immediately passed me up on steps. Not that hard to do, as I've been a bit of a wimp lately. Several in my extended family still have their Fitbits, and my brother noticed the new addition, especially as he took over the #1 spot on the family lists (I can't believe he only beat me by 10 steps! I should have taken 11 more!) The impressive stats up there at the start of this post? They belong to #1 son (this past Wednesday ... worked framing all day then played dodgeball and basketball in the evening. Look at that calorie burn estimate! Even if I match the steps, my calories can't compete ... BOYS!)

This week ... #4 decided to start wearing again! Yea! As the ChargeHR was taken, he opted for the Flex, previously purchased for #1 ages ago, then worn by #3 for quite a while.  Which leads me into a transition into our family's funny Fitbit phrases ...

"Flex"

Two of my brothers and #3 (back in August 2015).

Funny because they are flexing while wearing a Flex. 

Ha ha ..... I'm hilarous. 

I'm often reminding the boys to keep their Fitbits charged. It sounds funny when I say "Charge your Charge" ... and I can even tell #1 son "you could charge your Charge in your Charger" (his new car). 

When the boys are wearing their Fitbits, and I'm comparing steps and stats ... I need the most recent info from everyone. As the boys aren't quite as fanatical about their Fitbit feedback as I am (syncing after each exercise session, multiple times during the day) I'll often call out "hey, sync yourself" and they dutifully do. I am the mommy ... gotta do what the mommy says!

Hopefully #4 will inch up again on the family Fitbit list ... he was quite competitive for a while there. He's slipped some, as have I. We'll see what happens to #1's step count when he moves from his active framing job to a desk job (coming up in a few weeks). We'll see if I can at least break 100K each week. Once it was easy, but it's been a challenge lately. Maybe I can even try for my own 30k Day.

Abandoned 'Bits

I'm a little sad. At one time, we were a complete Fitbit Family (Tracking the Family). All five boys, plus Mom (me) and Dad were all wearing one. We'd check in daily to see who was topping the charts. At times, I'd learn a little about other unauthorized activities (Tracking and the Teenager). I loved everyone being on board.

When #1 son left for Mexico (LDS church mission), he wouldn't have access to a computer/phone for syncing up a Fitbit tracker. I sent him with a simple step pedometer, and every week when he'd write, he'd include his steps. I'd input them manually and it was all good. Several months ago, he went through a stretch where letters were delayed. I got out of the habit of entering his steps (when the data was days late, it throws off the comparisons) and therefore he got out of the habit of sending them. I would rarely check in to see where we all stood ... so I didn't even notice when #2's Zip stopped syncing, or #5's data mysteriously stopped coming in ("oh yea ... um, I lost it"). While #4 was still a Fitbit fan (although with the recent addition of a hot tub to the family, I'd find his Charge sitting around. He'd take it off and forget to put it back on. Winter has reduced his activity as well) ... Hubs and #3 both had Apple Watches now. They both had Fitbits, they were wearing, for me ... I told them they could stop, and they both did.

I'd purchased a warranty on #2's Zip. From past experience ... Fitbit customer service is great, and will replace anything the first year. Of course ... it's often in the second year that the devices stop working. For $4 (for a $50 Zip purchase) I'd picked up a warranty for that second year. I contacted the company (Asurion, purchased through Amazon the same time as the Zip) and they sent a pre-paid box to return the defective product, and they refunded me my purchase price. Glad it worked!

The Zip Hubs was using, the One #3 had been wearing, and an older Flex that had been replaced with another model, are now laying around unused. When I do get steps from my son, and input them ... it's extended family and friends and neighbors who are there in the Top10.

I'm honestly super surprised I'm still at the top of the list! Generally, I'm well over 100,000 for weekly steps. It's been a tough time, with the holidays and everything ... but I guess that goes for everyone on the list. Everyone's steps seem down. And it's just me, #1 son and #3 son from our immediate family.

Personally, I still LOVE my Fitbit.
Both of them ... I wear the One and the ChargeHR.

... I've had my One for years now, and over the years had accepted friend requests from a multitude of people I didn't even know. As I set up my ChargeHR, I decided I would only friend/accept requests of people I AM actually friends with. I AM friends with myself (via my One) ... but I'm definitely NOT in the top spot on this list! Gotta work harder to compete with these gals!

My missionary will be coming home in February. I wonder if I'll want to go back to an actual Fitbit. Maybe put on one of the abandoned 'bits .... ha ha, who am I kidding. If he does want a Fitbit, he probably wouldn't want one of those older models, especially used (even if they were used by family). He'd want a Charge, or Alta, or Blaze or Surge ... We'll see. Maybe he'll join Dad and his brother with the Apple watch.

I guess we've got backup Fitbits ... :)

Fully Charged

 I've had my Fitbit Charge HR for a little over a year now.

And I still love it. Maybe even MORE, now that I'm finally using a few more of its features!

I'm not sure if there were updates along the way, or if I just finally figured out some of the options that were there all along. I've recently started using more of the goodies available, and wonder why I hadn't done it all along! NOW I'm feeling fully charged using all the features of my Charge HR!

With the kids back in school, it's back to chauffeur duty for me. It's easy to remember and be ready for the drives TO school (at 6:30, 7:15 and 8:15) as the kids are right there waiting. Pick up though ... that's a little different. Sometimes as I'm home alone, it's easy to lose track of time. Last year, I'd set a little timer, but then I wasn't always in that room when it went off. Then I realized/remembered, my Fitbit has an alarm!

So I set it up ... elementary pickup Mon-Thurs, early out on Friday, and my turn for middle school pickup on Tuesdays (this one I really need, as it's just a once a week thing). Now, I get a little "buzz" on my arm at the selected times, and I'm off! It's been great. WHY wasn't I doing that all along? It's uber easy to set a one-time alarm too. Great feature. Thanks Fitbit!

Another feature I've been focused on more recently is the "Hourly Activity" option. I think this was a new addition with one of the updates (when Fitbit introduced the new dashboard). Here, to encourage you to get up and move, you get a dot when you walk 250 consecutive steps in any said hour. The default setting was from the hours of 9-5, but you could change it to any nine hour span. I chose to have it track from seven in the morning until nine at night.

One some weeks, I was REALLY motivated to make sure I filled in all my little dots. I would sync my Charge and if I hadn't hit my 250 steps, I would make sure and get it in. I'd watch the clock and be aware of the hours and my movement (or lack thereof). On other weeks, I wouldn't actively TRY to hit the steps, but just look at the feedback to see how I did during the day. I'm quite active, and adverse to sitting still, and 250 steps isn't much, about five minutes of movement. But still, it's interesting to SEE if you've been stationary. It's not always something I'm aware of (sitting down doing a blog update ... that would get me some days! Oops!) One of my favorite ways to get a quick set of steps in was to just practice a Zumba song! The device itself does not give you a buzz when the hour is almost up and hour haven't gotten your steps in ... I think other gadgets, and the newer Fitbit's do have that feature as well.

An update quite a while ago introduced "autotracking" to the ChargeHR. Before that, I'd need to remember to start the timer on my ChargeHR when Zumba class started up, and more importantly, to STOP it when it was over. Unlike my FitbitONE, there isn't an option to adjust the time if you forget (and leaving it running really throws off your stats!)

After a few initial tracking attempts, I didn't bother starting/stopping the time for my elliptical workouts. I do three or more a day, and it was just a pain ... and they were usually pretty similar every time. After the update, suddenly my elliptical workouts were being recorded without me doing anything. I found I did like the feedback from them, as sometimes my intensity did differ. I also loved when it would pick up a walk (my duck walks for example), when maybe I hadn't anticipated going very far, but then did (so I wouldn't have tracked it manually). 

It was interesting to see how the ChargeHR could guess what kind of exercise I was doing. It could tell the difference between being on the elliptical, or walking on the treadmill. It would differentiate between a walk and a run. It isn't perfect ... when I mow the lawn, it thinks I'm riding a bike, and when I AM riding a bike, it logs it as a walk. Happily, while I can't adjust the time frame, I can change the label to if it came up incorrectly (just for my records, it doesn't change anything in the stats). Just FYI ... Zumba comes up as a general "activity" ...  Now that my 13-year has a ChargeHR, it's fun to look at his account and see what exercise he's wracked up too (the basic Charge didn't have the auto-tracking feature). 

You CAN still track things manually, and a number of my Zumba buddies with Fitbits still do. I like to see how the auto-tracked minutes line up with what I judged the workout to be (or tracked on my other gadgets). It's usually within a minute or two. 

If you have a ChargeHR ... are YOU fully CHARGED? 

Are you using all the features available?

My Charge is my backup tracker. I had my One for years before and couldn't give it up, but wanted to try the heart rate monitor. So I got it, set up a separate account (so I can wear them both at once, and get data from both) and was on my way. 

I am friends with myself you see ... there IS quite a discrepancy in steps!

Fitbits and Family on Fiesta

Found the Fitbit!

On Friday, Hubs and the three younger boys headed up to Bear Lake for the weekend. The 17-year old couldn't get off work on such late notice, so I was staying home too. As my men were off, I told them "Make sure you don't lose your Fitbits! Take them off before you get in the water!"  The 15-year old promptly took off his FitbitOne and handed it to me.

Should you take your Fitbit (or other activity tracker) on vacation? Often, that's when many people get the most steps! Hubs hit his high (35k) during his European vacation last year. He's never come close to that at home. It's always interesting to see steps for places like Disneyland, or wandering New York City. 

But the beach or waterpark?

Years ago, #1 son wore his new Jawbone while out on the waverunner (it was water resistant) ... but after a hard wipeout, it was torn off his wrist and sunk to the bottom of the lake.  This summer, on the day trips to the lake,  Hubs and the boys generally left their Fitbits home. While they missed out on tracking some steps, they were in the sand/sun/water so much, it was probably the safer choice (for the Fitbit!). A couple years ago, #2 forgot he had his clipped to his swimsuit and jumped in the lake. Luckily, the Fitbit survived the quick dip.

 

When Hubs and the boys returned on Sunday, #5 said "I lost my Fitbit". 

 

Well shoot! My two munchkins are young to have expensive devices, but they'd been SO responsible with them ... I'd had better results with the 10 and 12 year old than the older boys (who have each lost one or more through the years). 

 

I'll admit, I was awake a bit in the night thinking ... should I get him another one? He's not super obsessed with it (like me, or #4) but does like the feedback. Since #1 son hasn't been writing as regularly, sending steps from Mexico, I haven't been good at updating and comparing the family fitbit results. I hadn't even looked at the munchkin's stats in a bit. I did have an old Flex no one was using ... would he want to try that? I think I have an extra Zip around too, if I replaced the battery would it work? 

 

Does your brain do this when you are supposed to be sleeping?

 

I also got to thinking ... what if the Fitbit slipped off in Hub's truck? Or in a sleeping bag or tent? I've posted before about a handy little app BTLExplorer which can pick up the bluetooth signals a Fitbit sends out (Lost and Found, Fitbit Finder Comes Through Again).  #5 brought up this possibility too.

 

After getting the older boys off to school, I had a bit of time before elementary school carpool (this is usually when I slip down for another session on the elliptical). This morning, I pulled up my BTLExplorer app and ... TWO Fitbit Ones were registering! After making sure #3 hadn't left his laying on his nightstand (after not wearing it over the weekend, that could have easily happened), and putting my One as far away from the garage as possible, #5 and I went to look at the camping stuff.

 

We spread out the sleeping bags and the tents and did a little "hot and cold" with the app. After locating the one we thought it was in (one of the smaller tents) we took it into the family room, opened it up and ... walla! Found Fitbit! 

#4 did get over 12,000 steps on Saturday. #5 didn't quite hit 7000. Not a lot of steps Sunday, as they spent a little time at the beach, then a few hours in the car on the ride home. Ironically ... #5's Fitbit registered over 7,000 steps during that drive. I guess being in the back, it was bumpier, and the Fitbit logged the movement as steps! Funny Fitbit!

 Daddy and the boys ... #4 has his ChargeHR on!

#5 has his FitbitOne is his pocket. #3 left his home.

Hubs took his Zip, but left it in the truck.

Now he'd better not have his ChargeHR on!

He'll just have to miss out on those sandy steps!

30K Day Fitbit Feature

Ah ... my Fitbit feedback!

I've had my Fitbit for over six years now, and I still love my little step gadget.

I get in a lot of steps. I helps that I'm a SAHM with kids who are a little older (soon to be back in school, and who have their own Fitbits of course! My 12-year old has been know to give me a challenge on steps!) It helps that I have a home gym downstairs (with elliptical, treadmill, stationary bike). For an extra big day ... it "helps" when one of the teenagers wants to stay out late and requires a pick-up. I have to stay active to stay awake (thus was the case for this 38+K day!)

While a 30k day isn't the norm for me, it's also not that unusual.  

People sometimes ask "How do you do it?"

Well ... my Fitbit can show you exactly how I did!

 

Here's another look at Wednesday (Aug17) from this week ...

I love Fitbit's graphs and charts and the way they visually represent my day. 

I can SEE my day. See my workouts (green spikes) and other activity.

 

Another view, this is heart rate (via my ChargeHR).

Heart Rate and Steps do seem to go hand in hand!

This list of exercises/activity is the same day as the graphs above. I love to see how they line up!

When I started with Fitbit back in 2010, they only had one device. The Ultra. After a few years, the One, Zip, and Flex were introduced. I upgraded to the One.

When the ChargeHR came out, I really wanted to try it. I wasn't sure about wearing something on my wrist. Hubs was sure it wouldn't last ... but it has. Not that I've given up my One though. I still wear it. I created a second Fitbit account for my ChargeHR, and it is interesting to compare the stats on the two.  In the images above, the one showing steps (and the total step count/calories/active minutes) were pulled from my One account. The heart rate info ... is of course from the ChargeHR, but you can see they coincide (as they should) ... although my ChargeHR step count does come in quite a bit lower (which I think is just MY device). 

One feature I've loved from the ChargeHR (other than the heart rate tracking, obviously! *Ü*) is the auto tracking of exercise. With my One, I have to manually start and stop the timer to track a specific activity (like my Zumba class). When I first got the ChargeHR, I would manually track some of my workouts ... and then there was an update, and the workouts began logging themselves!

My ChargeHR can tell if I'm on a walk, or on the elliptical ... okay, my Zumba just comes in as an "activity" and I do manually change the title there. It's also not good at picking up my biking (I manually updated that as well ...it logs it as a walk, whereas it logs my lawn mowing as "outdoor bike"). I like to compare the ChargeHR tracking of my Zumba class with my manual start/stop on my One (it's usually spot on, although at times a bit shorter if the cool down was long and lacked steps).

I never would have manually tracked all my elliptical workouts, as I do three or more a day. But with the auto-logging, it's been really interesting for me to look and compare them to see which ones come in at a higher cardio level. 

Mon-Friday ... I pretty much always get in my hour of elliptical and a Zumba class. Then depending on the day, my energy, and life ... I'll get in a session on the bike, treadmill or weights. This summer, since the ducks flew the coop, I've been getting a couple walks in every day too. I never know how long my walks will be, because it depends on the ducks. Are they close? Are they all the way at the end of the canal? On this day graphed, I had to walk the entire canal (both sides) ... and I never found them (a first). The little blip (after my run, before my bike ride) was a second, quick walk to the canal where they were waiting for me. Silly duckies! When they were gone, I wondered if my little walks were done ... I guess not quite yet.

I have my rest days ... or lazy days, where I don't even hit 10K too.

Tracking Trek

If you are familiar with the LDS church at all, it's likely you have heard of the history, where the pioneers pulled handcarts across the plains until they reached Utah. One summer activity many in the church do every few years, is a small reenactment of said trek with the youth. They wear pioneer clothing, pull hand carts and walk and walk and walk.

My 17-year old was participating in our pioneer trek this year (my 15-year old was also eligible, but didn't want to and we didn't force him). #2 grabbed some plain pants and a couple long sleeve shirts at the local thrift store, and donned "the hat" that Daddy and older brother had worn on previous pioneer treks and packed the few things allowed ...

One duffle bag, a bucket (with water, scriptures, gloves, suncreen, etc.) and a sleeping bag.

Silly kitty didn't actually get packed ;)

I made sure his Fitbit was charged and ready ... 

They left Tuesday (July 26) and traveled by bus to Wyoming. This was the Martin's Cove trek. They walked a few miles that night, and then camped (and did some square dancing, which my son said was surprisingly fun!) Wednesday there was quite a bit of walking. Just over 26k in steps. But Thursday ... that was the big day (Fitbit snag pictured above). Just a bit of walking Friday then the bus ride home (and apparently he wasn't too tired, because he went and played basketball with his buddies for a couple of hours that night). 

My Zumba buddy Suzanne also went on trek (a number of leaders go as Ma/Pa/Uncle/Aunt "family" members, plus more to help with food, organization, etc. 

Tuesday morning was when Suzanne usually joins us for Zumba, but that doesn't look like Zumba workout wear!  I am very glad I have boys, they are so much easier to outfit than trying to find appropriate dresses or skirts (and bloomers, bonnets and aprons). That Tuesday morning, the church gym was FILLED with pioneers! They cleared out and we had our Zumba class there a couple hours later.

When my son got back home, I had him sync his Fitbit, and even with that huge day, he hadn't quite caught me in steps (although he was close). I remember watching and waiting for Suzanne to sync ... normally she syncs every day, but they were without internet access for the four days. She had the ChargeHR, and said that her battery lasted (I would have been worried about that, as I put mine on the charger every night. My son has the Zip, which has a replaceable battery that lasts about six months, so he was set). 

Here's a couple more pictures the group historian shared with the parents ...

 Square Dancing (probably no Zumba songs, right?)

On the trail.

I've never been on a pioneer trek myself.  I was 13 when our church did trek back in the day. The age cut-off was 14 years old, and I have to admit, I was relieved I didn't have to go. My two older brothers and older sister went (my future husband was 14-years old, and on this same trek). They said it was a great experience ... that they never wanted to do again! I think most of them HAVE done it again (as ma/pa/leaders), and I think it's a little easier now than back then (they worked the "starvation" experience a little on those older treks, but they don't do that now). Even with my crazy steps ... I'm not sure I'd want to do a trek now. I HATE shoes! This requires hours upon hours of wearing shoes/sneakers/boots (which I NEVER do ... I'll wear them for Zumba, but I elliptical in slippers). When I was discussing trek with Suzanne  the following Tuesday at Zumba, she said that was the first time she had put on sneakers since her return five days earlier!

Fitbit Tracking and the Teenager

Ah ... Fitbit Feedback!

I've had a Fitbit for over five years now ... and I'm still addicted and motivated by it's feedback. In the image above, you can see a quick capture of my average summer weekday. I sleep in until about 7:30, then I get in a 20min session on the elliptical. I go to a Zumba class around 9:00 for an hour.  I always try for an hour of elliptical, so there should be two more 20min sessions somewhere in the day, plus whatever other activity I do (bike, walk, etc). Winding down in the evenings. In bed by around 10:00. I'm pretty consistent.

My 17-year old son is leaving on a "pioneer trek" tomorrow. I pulled up his Fitbit account to check the status of his battery (he has the Zip, with a replaceable battery) because I wanted to make sure it was ready to capture his days as he walks and walks and walks. While I had his account up, I just glanced at HIS days ...

 Tuesday, July 19

 Wednesday, July 20

 Thursday, July 21

Other than Tuesday, when he got up to play basketball with his friends fairly early, you can SEE he is a late to bed and LATE to rise boy! With summer in season, he's generally sleeping in until 11:00 in the morning, as he recovers from staying up so late. It's work until 11:30 or so most days, then sometimes some hanging with friends or playing Pokemon Go.  Even with the sleeping in and no official "exercise" ... he is pretty active. He gets enough steps in to stay competitive.

 Other than Mommy, he's got everyone beat this week.

I did have to take a second glance at the Friday stats ...

Friday, July 22

Ummmm.... my child, just WHAT were you doing from 3:30-4:30 in the a.m. to get a green spike like that? He was having a "sleep over" with friends ... and it looks like they were NOT sleeping!  I did ask him for an explanation, and he said "um, dancing?"  Trying to pull an all-nighter and TRYING to stay awake. Hmmm, believable? 

My oldest is on a mission to Mexico right now. He doesn't have access to the internet, so he couldn't sync a Fitbit. He wears a cheap pedometer and writes down the steps and mails them to me. I so WISH a Fitbit worked, so I could SEE his day too. When #2 and #3 were at basketball camp for a week, even when they neglected to check in, their Fitbit's would sync, and I could see (by the spikes) when they had played their games. It made me feel a part of it, even though I wasn't there.

I can't wait to see the steps after trek this week ... there will be no internet access, so I'll have to wait until he gets back on Friday. I'm anticipating a VERY different look to his step graphs for the week. There will be no sleeping in, no staying up late ... and I'm sure NO 3:30 am dancing!

Our Fitbit Family Update

What's up with our Fitbit family? 

We're still plugging along, and my 12-year old STILL has me beat on steps!

So just a quick family Fitbit review, in our home we have ...

• Two Zips: Hubs and #2 (17-year old) have the Zip. I think the Zip is the best option for both of them, because it has a replaceable battery - it doesn't need to be recharged every few days, which I think they would both forget to do. The Zip doesn't track sleep, but neither of them wear theirs to bed anyway. 
• Three Ones: I have a One, as does #3 (15-year old) and #5 (the 10-year old). I stick mine on the charger when I shower, and that seems to keep me in business. I have myself set up to receive emails when the kid's devices need charging, and I remind them. #3 only wears a Fitbit for me (he could care less), but #5 was so happy to switch from a Zip to a One a while back, he likes it much better. "It's numbers glow, I can check my stats in the dark!"
• One Charge: Originally purchased for #1, then passed to #4 (12-year old) ... generally worn on his ankle rather than his arm. He looks a bit like a prison convict on house arrest. 
• One Charge HR: My secondary Fitbit (as I do still wear my One), I like the heart rate feedback for exercise and at rest, but I don't sleep in it (as I am tracking sleep with my One, I find the armband awkward to sleep in, and it seems to need daily charging, so I just put it on the charger every night). 

I figure I can have two Fitbits, as #1 doesn't actually have one. My oldest is in Mexico on a mission and doesn't have access to internet to sync a device, so I just sent him with an inexpensive Omron pedometer. He sends me his steps with his weekly letters, and I manually enter them into Fitbit to see where his steps stand with the rest of the family... I wonder which Fitbit he'll want when he returns? There are a couple new ones out, the Aria and the Blaze, that we haven't introduced to our family yet (Hubs DID try the Surge, and my dad and brother have it).

So, we've had some minor issues with family Fitbits of late ...

On my One case, the little black tip flipped off. It's not the first time it's happened. While it is still wearable, with the sharper metal protruding, it has scratched me, and poked holes in my clothes. I was able to find to tip, and used superglue to fasten it back on. So far, it's holding up great! My son clips his One onto his pockets, which are often a bit thick. His Fitbit has stretched out, and then doesn't hold when he's wearing shorts with less material. His Fitbit has slipped off several times, but luckily we've been able to locate it. I had an extra holder around, so I've switched him out, although it's just a matter of time before the new one bends. While Fitbit customer service has been kind enough to send us free replacement cases before, I looked on Ebay and found some inexpensive knock-offs (about $3 each) and ordered a few so we'll have them around for backup. I've received them, and they look identical, but we haven't tried them out yet.

We've also had some issues with the Charge wristband. We originally purchased the Charge in Jan2015. My oldest wore it for a couple of months, then we passed it onto #4. The strap started to break last fall. We contacted Fitbit and they replaced it (it was still under the year warranty). But the strap on the new one failed recently too (photo above. You can see tape remnants where he tried to duct tape it together. Superglue did NOT work in this instance). At this point, we were past the warranty, but, Fitbit customer service is great, and they said they would do one more replacement for us.

I think they may have stopped making the Charge though, with the new and improved Aria model at the same price point. So instead of a Charge, they are sending my son a ChargeHR. Normally, I would ALWAYS recommend the HR over the Charge ... except for my son. As he usually wears it on his ankle, instead of his wrist, the heart rate function won't work (when worn that way). While I love the watch type strap, I think it might be harder for him to manage. Most importantly though, I think the HR's battery life is lacking (most likely because of the heart rate function). So we'll have to see. As mentioned above, I have to charge mine every night. #4 has been wearing his Charge to bed and using it to track his sleep, so we'd miss that if he has to charge it nightly as well.

I've had my ChargeHR for over a year now, and have had no issues with my strap. 

Knock on wood!

Motivated Monday - Family Style

 

Well ... coming off a not great week, and a not great weekend, it's time to get MOTIVATED this Monday. I was a little worried it might be hard to get up this morning. It was Daylight Savings this weekend too. Yesterday, we "lost" an hour. A 6:30 wake up would feel like 5:30....

But, this morning was great! Hubs got up and off around 5:30, and I got up then too! I usually stay in bed, although I rarely fall back asleep. Much better to get up and at it, right? What really nudged me out of bed, was prepping breakfast and lunch for the 17-year old. He has early morning seminary at 6:00, and he's generally pretty self-sufficient. But this past week, he told me he was trying to work on HIS food/fitness. He joined a gym (which is a little pricey, but I have to admit it was a little hard having him and his friends in MY gym last summer "Boys in my Gym") and said he was going to start bringing lunch from home to school (translated "please Mommy can you make me lunches"). He also mentioned I should hold off on buying him treats. I had just bought him a package of mini red-velvet cupcakes. We actually ended up throwing several away.

Anyway - I hadn't committed to to waking up early, so I made his lunch last night. But then this morning I packaged it all up, and made him a protein smoothie (Daddy and Brother recommended) and he was off. I stopped at the store on the way home from Zumba this morning and bought additional fixings for lunches. I'll need to jump back on Pinterest for some healthy ideas (he's not trying to lose weight or anything, just cut back on sugar and processed stuff, eating healthier). 

Speaking of Pinterest ... Hubs has joined! I've mentioned it a bit in my day to day doings ... he's also jumped back on the exercise/eating wagon. It's been a few weeks now. He IS trying to lose weight, and also be healthier (cholesterol and blood pressure and such). He's tried several smoothie recipes he's found, and shared some with the munchkins (I don't do smoothies myself). He's done his shopping and meal prep for all his lunches. It's pretty impressive!

I try to have some healthy dinner ideas/options (although evenings are still often crazy around here, and family dinner doesn't always happen).  It's also hard, being SUCH a picky eater myself! This past weekend, when I was a lazy slug, Hubs exercised every day. This morning, he popped up by me on my Fitbit friend list~

 That's usually NOT the case.

Having been on Fitbit for several years, I have a ton of "friends" ... most of whom I don't really know at all. It's always fun when I see someone I actually have a relationship list in the seven featured friends (those three above, three below). I've often been at the topish of my list (3,4,5), and generally no lower than 7,8,9. This weekend's non activity dropped me down to the twenties!

Here's a little later in the morning ... back on top, of Hubs anyway.

Working my way back up into the top10.

My family pretty much ONLY has family on their Fitbit friend list. I love to see how everyone stacks up week to week. I even have my missionary in Mexico send me his steps! He can't connect/sync, so I sent him with just an inexpensive pedometer, and I manually enter his steps into Fitbit every Monday (because that's the day he gets to email me). He's been gone for over a year now, and I've been impressed with him recording and sending me his steps each week. He does it for his Mommy!

The Family Top 10 this week ...

That's my 12-year old at the top of the list. He must have slowed down a little, because for several weeks in a row his average was over 30k! Mr. Missionary is in the #2 position, and my 10-year old is there in third. Fourth position is my 17-year old , then me and Hubs, and #3. Even with his broken wrist, #3 has been participating in gym, and even jogging on the treadmill downstairs. Extended family have Fitbits too. There in the family Top10 are my two brothers and my sister. My dad is very often competitive with everyone. My oldest brother has a Fitbit too (a Surge) ... but he won't be "friends" with any of us ;)

 

Back to this morning ... all the kids got up and at 'em easily. They are SUCH great kids!

I'm a little over on my eating today, 

and I have 10minutes left to get my hour of elliptical.

I did weights though! 

Hubs is down on the treadmill right now ... is he trying to get back on top?