1. < Aging Well
Mentor

Experience with using Fitbit to monitor exercise and sleep

Posted by Don Higgins, Volunteer Mentor @dsh33782, Jan 17, 2021

I'd like to learn more about how to use my new Fitbit select 3 that I got for my 76 birthday. I ordered it from Amazon for $150. I wear it on my wrist and it measures movement, location, and heart rate. It replaces watch, it doesn't require winding, and I can see the high contrast digital display of time much better. It does require WIFI access to smart phone Fitbit app, and it requires recharging about once a week. It says I got 6 hours of sleep last night. Charlotte and I walk twice a day for total of 4 miles. I'm hoping this new Fitbit tool will help me stay on track and improve health. And I'm hoping other Fitbit users will share their experience and tips.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aging Well Support Group.

Mentor
Don Higgins, Volunteer Mentor | @dsh33782 | Feb 20, 2021
In reply to @rosemarya "@dsh33782 - Good morning. I’m wondering how you are getting along with your first Fitbit. I’m..." + (show)
@rosemarya

@dsh33782 - Good morning. I’m wondering how you are getting along with your first Fitbit. I’m on the verge of shopping for one for myself and would appreciate any shopping tips for me - a first timer who is uncomfortable with my technology skill. I want to go shopping soon.

Appreciate any tips from anyone.

Jump to this post

I like my Fitbit select 3 I got on Amazon and would buy it again. It comes with charger and only needs charging once a week. You can view results on cell phone and also on laptop connected to cell phone via WiFi. It includes weekly averages and history.

REPLY
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Feb 20, 2021
In reply to @rosemarya "@dsh33782 - Good morning. I’m wondering how you are getting along with your first Fitbit. I’m..." + (show)
@rosemarya

@dsh33782 - Good morning. I’m wondering how you are getting along with your first Fitbit. I’m on the verge of shopping for one for myself and would appreciate any shopping tips for me - a first timer who is uncomfortable with my technology skill. I want to go shopping soon.

Appreciate any tips from anyone.

Jump to this post

Rosemary - I have my second FitBit - a Charge3 - and still love it. Runs 5-7 days on a charge. I really appreciate its ability to track my sleep - if I feel fatigued early in the day tells me how good my sleep was, or if I should be concerned. Also steps, of course & my heart rate, which can be wonky at times. The only thing is - I always hated the silicone bands (for almost 5 years) until I figured out I could go on line & buy a "real' watchband for it. My current ones are a rainbow band for every day & gold one to dress up. The only thing I wish it had was the oxygen sensor, but the watch with that is too big for me.
Sue
I forgot to mention - this is the one electronic, besides my phone, for which I buy the extended warranty. I have used it twice & been sent replacements immediately. I also like FitBit support via email, phone or chat.

REPLY
jolinda | @jolinda | Feb 20, 2021
In reply to @therjes "My hubs and I got Fitbit Versas on Canada Day 2017. My mom and dad actually..." + (show)
@therjes

My hubs and I got Fitbit Versas on Canada Day 2017. My mom and dad actually got us on to this. So we decided to try for 10,000 steps daily. Hard when we both had sedentary desk jobs! So we walked our dog about an hour each night after supper to get those steps. Then we decided to start using the app to track food. I resisted the weighing and measuring at first, but as I watched my hubbie start to lose weight doing it, I gave in and we never looked back! I absolutely love being able to see what I've eaten and also "earned" by activity in calories. I always say "I walk for snacks!". I find it super motivating. I used to look for parking spots near the door of a store; now I park far away to get more steps. At work I used to file patient charts in the filing cabinets at day end; now I get up and file each one as I'm done with it, for more movement! My husband lost about 60 pounds this way, over about 8 or 9 months. I lost 16 pounds over about maybe 5 months. We have easily kept it off and in fact we have both become leaner than ever in our lives. I am 54 and my hubs is 45 so age isn't a factor, anyone can do this! We found out how much and how poorly we were eating too. We eat lighter versions of what we used to eat. We "fall off the wagon" a few times a year- Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, and take a few days of eating whatever the heck we want with no measuring. We put on like 5 pounds! Then go back to our normal eating and it's gone in a couple of weeks. You can do this and won't want to go back to how you were before!
Theresa

Jump to this post

I used my fitbit in a different way, I got it strictly for feedback and tracking on a short-term basis. I wore it for several months to learn and form habits with the sole goal of NOT needing it forever. I wanted to learn from the information it provided but not be dependent on it for life. After Google bought fitbit I dumped it in a drawer and haven't used it since. I struggled to understand how I could keep my data private and secure because it seemed like I was paying for the device but giving my health information, weight, age, location, etc. to them for free, did I understand the "terms of use" correctly?

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Don Higgins, Volunteer Mentor | @dsh33782 | Feb 20, 2021

I really don't mind Google and others seeing my Fitbit info. In fact I I would be happy to share info in a group as an added incentive to work on goals.

REPLY
jolinda | @jolinda | Feb 20, 2021

It seems like I should have a choice about what happens to the medical data it is collecting about me. Like how HIPPA prevents your doctor from giving out or profiting from the medical data they collect. I definitely respect your choice though.

REPLY
1 reply
avmcbellar | @avmcbellar | Feb 20, 2021
In reply to @jolinda "It seems like I should have a choice about what happens to the medical data it..." + (show)
@jolinda

It seems like I should have a choice about what happens to the medical data it is collecting about me. Like how HIPPA prevents your doctor from giving out or profiting from the medical data they collect. I definitely respect your choice though.

Jump to this post

@jolinda I would not like the collection of my health information either. I selected a watch that is not of cellular control. I am still waiting for delivery. I don’t think it works like Hippa where information is only given on a need to know basis like to another physician or health equipment store. I am hoping to have more control of my health info. I will find out when I get it.

REPLY
jolinda | @jolinda | Feb 20, 2021

@avmcbellar
Thanks. Can't wait to hear more when you get your new device.

REPLY
1 reply
ess77 - Elizabeth | @ess77 | Feb 20, 2021
In reply to @jolinda "I used my fitbit in a different way, I got it strictly for feedback and tracking..." + (show)
@jolinda

I used my fitbit in a different way, I got it strictly for feedback and tracking on a short-term basis. I wore it for several months to learn and form habits with the sole goal of NOT needing it forever. I wanted to learn from the information it provided but not be dependent on it for life. After Google bought fitbit I dumped it in a drawer and haven't used it since. I struggled to understand how I could keep my data private and secure because it seemed like I was paying for the device but giving my health information, weight, age, location, etc. to them for free, did I understand the "terms of use" correctly?

Jump to this post

Amen!
I don't even use Google as my server because of the privacy issue and other world-wide control/privacy issues. I Also don't shop Amazon anymore...same reasons. I've have enough info to know I want to guard whatever privacy I have left. Not sure we have any privacy at all anymore......enjoy my watch tho.
Blessings, elizabeth

REPLY
1 reply
jolinda | @jolinda | Feb 20, 2021
In reply to @ess77 "Amen! I don't even use Google as my server because of the privacy issue and other..." + (show)
@ess77

Amen!
I don't even use Google as my server because of the privacy issue and other world-wide control/privacy issues. I Also don't shop Amazon anymore...same reasons. I've have enough info to know I want to guard whatever privacy I have left. Not sure we have any privacy at all anymore......enjoy my watch tho.
Blessings, elizabeth

Jump to this post

@ess77
I would pay more for a product that allowed me to keep my medical information private. Let's hope there is a fitness tracker company somewhere working on a product for people who want to choose how their medical information is collected, stored and used.

REPLY
1 reply
mwsa1945 | @mwsa1945 | Feb 20, 2021
In reply to @jolinda "@ess77 I would pay more for a product that allowed me to keep my medical information..." + (show)
@jolinda

@ess77
I would pay more for a product that allowed me to keep my medical information private. Let's hope there is a fitness tracker company somewhere working on a product for people who want to choose how their medical information is collected, stored and used.

Jump to this post

There is an app called MySymptoms and website MySymptoms.com you shook at... my wife and I use it to track our daily log and meds, etc. The other is CareZone. I’ve used both and they are good.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.