the cult of Fitbit – one month later

by Kaylah Stroup
fit bit
A little over a month ago I made a really awesome spur of the moment purchase, a fitbit. You can read my original post here. It took all of about fifteen minutes for me to become completely enthralled with this thing. I was a little worried my enthusiasm for it would quickly dwindle but it hasn’t at all!
I originally purchased the Charge HR in teal… and almost immediately regretted that decision. I went into that thinking that you could change the band like you can with the Flex but you can’t. That was my first qualm with it. The second thing, which was the real deal breaker, was that it was just too bulky for me. It’s honestly not that large at all but for someone who can barely stand to wear a bracelet for a full day it just wasn’t going to work no matter how much I liked it. Don’t even get me started on sleeping with it on. It literally would wake me up at night because I would be like “what’s on my wriiiiist?!” Don’t mind things on your wrist or sleep on your hands? The Charge HR is awesome!
Luckily Fitbit was releasing a new smaller model, the Alta, right around the same time I made my initial purchase. I stalked the internet trying to figure out when I could buy it but for some reason they kept the release date on the hush hush. Toward the end of March I finally found a WalMart a half hour away that had the one I wanted in stock. As soon as I put it on I knew that switching was exactly what I needed to do.
I bought the Alta in black, instead of one of the other more fun colors. It’s so much slimmer than the Charge HR and looks a lot more like an accessory than some sort of fitness gadget. Best of all, you can buy different bands for the Alta so you aren’t stuck wearing the same thing with every single outfit.  I figured black was a good starting point and sometime in the future I’ll start building a collection of bands for it.
blue keyboard

 

When I originally bought my Fitbit I thought it would just be fun but I think it’s safe to say this thing has kiiiiind of changed my life. I feel SO much healthier than I did one month ago! I didn’t realize how much walking just a liiiittle bit more each day would effect me. I have so much more energy. Klaus gets to go on more/longer walks which makes us both happier. Jeff and I are enjoying night walks around the neighborhood. I basically look for any reason to get up and move now!
I’m still working a day or two a week at the flower shop. I used to take the train but since getting a Fitbit I’ve been walking the three miles from my house to downtown. Every time I do it it’s an easier walk. It’s such a wonderful start to the day too. I feel so much more connected to the city. I enjoy it so much that I even walked in the rain to work last week which is kind of a huge deal considering I hate being damp. Funny enough, it ended up being one of my favorite trips thus far.
Since starting this journey, I’ve been walking 5.5 miles a day on average. I guess it really doesn’t sound like that much but its absolutely an improvement for me. I didn’t realize how little I actually walked until I saw how much effort I had to put into getting the recommended 10,000 steps each day. The best thing is every week since I’ve started tracking I’ve walked further than the last. I could go on and on about how much I love being able to see all my statistics but I’ll refrain since it’s probably not all that interesting to anyone but me! It’s super satisfying though.
I seriously cannot recommend getting a Fitbit enough. It’s not magic but the fact that it’s got me walking (and LOVING those walks) certainly seems like magic.
xoxo

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34 comments

Jeanette April 12, 2016 - 12:52 pm

I got a Fitbit for Christmas and love it! I wear it every day but one day I realized that whenever I was walking and carrying something it wasn't counting steps and when I was moving my arm but not walking ( like blow drying my hair) it was counting steps I wasn't taking. Now I wear it on my ankle and it's much more accurate!

Kaylah April 12, 2016 - 1:10 pm

Interesting. I haven't noticed any inaccuracies like that yet.

Sophie Blunt April 12, 2016 - 1:00 pm

I have always been so tempted to get a fitbit but a bit like you I just thought that I would get bored of it quickly. I think that you may have just made up my mind to get one!

Sophie xx
http://www.sophieblunt.com

Kaylah April 12, 2016 - 1:12 pm

I can't say enough good things about it. Every few days either Jeff or I say "this was such a good purchase!" We're obsessed.

I'm not positive but I think that the fitbit website actually has a really awesome return policy if you don't love it.

B April 12, 2016 - 1:29 pm

I just bought an Alta too and I love it! I went with the Purple but can't wait to add some other colors to my collection.

Kaylah April 12, 2016 - 8:16 pm

I really want that metal band! I'll definitely be waiting on the price to drop though (or for some awesome knock offs! 😛 )

alittlekiran April 12, 2016 - 2:17 pm

This sounds a lot like the Pacer app on my phone, which is free, I considered getting a Fitbit because I don't always have my phone on me so I miss a lot of the steps I walk, but can't justify the price. It sounds pretty great though so I might have a look at more reviews and see if it's worth it. Thanks for sharing!

Kiran | http://www.alittlekiran.co.uk

Kaylah April 12, 2016 - 8:17 pm

I definitely feel like it's worth it. I think if you buy directly from Fitbit they have a pretty awesome return policy if you end up not loving it.

Jessica April 12, 2016 - 2:56 pm

I got a FitBit for Christmas and I feel the same way! It really has changed my life and I've gotten my whole family into it too! Now we have weeklong competitions and it forces everyone to move around a whole lot more. Reading this post made me so happy!! So glad I'm not the only one totally obsessed!!

Kaylah April 12, 2016 - 8:19 pm

Its so funny how people get so into it. It's such a simple thing but it really is a blast. I LOVE doing the workweek hustle with everyone!

Indy April 12, 2016 - 3:02 pm

I didn't buy a fitbit after reading your post, but I was inspired to download a pedometer app on my phone! Now, it is kind of lame because obviously it only counts steps you take when you are carrying your phone, but I still love it! I can't believe how inactive I was on days I didn't have work or anything! I have definitely become more active just so the darn thing doesn't say "sedentary" at the end of the day, haha.

Bonus, the first three days I took walks I probably wouldn't have before, I found a skull in the woods! Three skulls in three days? DEFINITELY going to walk more!

Thanks for the inspiration! 🙂

Kaylah April 12, 2016 - 8:22 pm

YESSSSS! That's awesome. That's exactly what my fitbit does for me just because I don't want to see a low step count or low miles for the day and then I end up having a lot of fun.

So stoked for you! 😀

xoxolib.com April 12, 2016 - 3:08 pm

I got my husband a fitbit for Christmas and he loves it. I hate bracelets and so I figured that I wouldn't love wearing one. But since I've moved to a work-from-home model, I'm finding myself sitting and sitting and sitting so much. I think that I'd love to have this little motivator that makes me aware of how I'm doing.

Kaylah April 12, 2016 - 8:25 pm

If you REALLY hate things on your wrist they do have a few different kinds that clip on to ya. My SIL has one (and she's TOTALLY obsessed!)

But like I said in the post, I hate things on my wrist too. The Charge HR was too much for me to handle but the Alta feels nice. It took a tiny bit of time to get used to something being there but now I never even notice it.

Alexandra April 12, 2016 - 4:03 pm

Walking is the best! Might need to invest in one of these soon 😉

Kaylah April 12, 2016 - 8:26 pm

Your blog makes it seem like you walk A LOT! I would totally want to be your friend on fitbit just so I could get all mad at how many steps you have and challenge myself to walk more. 😛

Annie Patz April 12, 2016 - 4:53 pm

I have debated getting one of these, in my line of work I am walking/on my feet all day and I have always been curious as to how far I walk and how many calories I burn. It's great to hear that you are happy with yours – perhaps I shall just have to give in and buy one!

Kaylah April 12, 2016 - 8:26 pm

Watch out, it's addicting! 😉

Melanie April 12, 2016 - 5:20 pm

I originally had one of the original models…I forget what it was because I lost it very quickly. I took it off and alas…I have no idea where. Anywho…I think I'm going to buy the alta as soon as there is the first sale for them! I know it just came out but I'm pretty sure with Memorial day & Independence day coming there will be some form of sale! I hope! =P

Glad to hear you love yours!! =)

Kaylah April 12, 2016 - 8:27 pm

Well I hope they go on sale for ya soon! I love the Alta! 🙂

Beladonna April 12, 2016 - 5:53 pm

I play roller derby and know a few ladies along with me that prefer the Fitbit Charge HR because it has the heart monitor that's more accurate when we are on our skates. 🙂

Kaylah April 12, 2016 - 8:29 pm

That is definitely the one thing I slightly miss about the Charge HR. I never really paid attention to it while I had it but now I'm always like "I should check my heart rate! Oh…nevermind."

Jess April 12, 2016 - 6:10 pm

How fun! I am glad you love your Alta! My boyfriend works at Fitbit and the Alta release was definitely a big deal, so I'm happy to see you're a fan 🙂 I'm a Charge HR girl myself, but I do like how you can change the bands on the Alta! I also think its fun to see all of my stats, so you aren't alone 😉

xoxo Jess

Kaylah April 12, 2016 - 8:31 pm

Jeff and I have so much talking about our stats, it's so dorky. Glad to hear we aren't the only ones who love them.

Wren Bentley April 12, 2016 - 9:51 pm

I have used the zip for about 3 years. It recently died, and i have been eyeing the Alta ever since fitbit sent me the 'coming soon' email. I was about to purchase it, but decided to do a bit of research beforehand.. I dug up tons of online articles about people saying the fitbit may cause cancer (because of the blue ray attributes), and also a ton of people having side effects from wearing a fitbit – rashes, tingling sensations in their hands that wouldn't stop until they took it off. It scared me… Since reading all of that, I've been putting my fitbit alta purchase on hold. I was wondering your thoughts on this? Have you experienced anything funky?

Kaylah April 13, 2016 - 1:16 pm

Whaaat? That's super strange. I would say those cases are definitely extreme cases that are far from the norm. If you're super worried about it I would suggest contacting Fitbit directly and seeing what they have to say about it.

Christina Donnelly April 12, 2016 - 9:51 pm

I've been interested in getting a heart rate monitor for a number of years but just never did, this year I started really looking at the fitness trackers because I thought it might help me with my recovery for my back if I had something tangible to work against.

So anyway, i was actually looking at fitbits for a while but I just wasn't sure if I wanted all the gadgetry to go with it (If so I mis well purchase a smart watch) so I wound up purchasing the up3. I found a lot of reviews complaining that there was not a screen however this is exactly one of the reasons I purchased it. It looks just like a bracelet. I'm not distracted by looking at it while at work and it has pretty sweet sleep monitoring light sleep, deep sleep and REM sleep. I thought I was going to regret not getting a fitbit but I'm actually pretty pleased. 🙂

best,
Chrissy of crashbeauty.com

Kaylah April 13, 2016 - 1:18 pm

That's awesome! I've never heard of up3 but I'm so happy it's working out for you. 🙂

Hillary April 13, 2016 - 2:59 am

I've had a Fitbit Flex since September. While I love the stats, I've been having a hard time staying motivated to reach my step goals. (I actually blogged about it here: http://www.flinntrospection.com/e-exercise-fail-fitbit/) I think I need to find some more Fitbit friends and get competitive about it. Glad to hear your Fitbit journey has been more successful!

Hillary

Kaylah April 13, 2016 - 1:35 pm

That totally could be. It keeps me on my toes watching everyone elses steps! I want to wiiiiin!

Jen KnowingTheLight April 13, 2016 - 11:48 am

that's a really great improvement. I would love to get one with my husband so we can do it together, I desperately want him to get more exercise, but I can't make him do it and I hope this will help him….

Kaylah April 13, 2016 - 1:37 pm

Good luck!

Jasilyn Albert April 14, 2016 - 7:11 am

The walking will continue to get easier! I actually lost like 20 pounds over 5 years in college because I didn't have a car and had to walk every where. When I first got to Russia I felt SO out of shape and it would be a struggle to walk even 15 minutes. Now I feel like I can walk for hours. You have an ideal location living near a city. I hated living in the suburbs because you HAVE to drive everywhere.

Kaylah April 14, 2016 - 10:53 am

That's awesome!!

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