Authentically Emmie

Plus Size Fashion and Lifestyle Blog of Emily Ho, Louisville KY

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Fitbit Review (and Giveaway- CLOSED)

EDITED TO ANNOUNCE WINNER: Congratulations to Emily, with comment 195, for winning the Fitbit! I wish I could give one to everyone who entered, but alas, I'm not Bill Gates 🙂

If you know me in person (or have read this blog for a while), you'll know I'm a technophile. I love electronics, and am often an early adopter of new technology. With fitness equipment, however, I'm a little tight fisted. My bare-bones Polar heart rate monitor has served me well since the beginning my regular workouts last year, and it tells me what I need to know when I'm working on my heart-rate based interval training.

About 1 year ago, I had the opportunity to review the BodyMedia FIT, which I had drooled over forever. The activity tracker system worked great, but had some drawbacks as well. All in all, it is a good tool which can be used to help you get more information you need to be accountable in your journey. An essential? No. A nice-to-have? Absolutely.

Recently, I was asked to review the Fitbit, another activity-monitoring device. It has been on my radar for the past several months as people have asked me how it compares to the BodyMedia FIT. So, I agreed to try it out!

Woah, look how cute it is! Little baby Fitbit on its little baby charger!

Basically, you wear the device – on your waist, a shirt pocket, or in my case, my bra – and it monitors your activity. Steps, calories burned, activity times. You can wear it to sleep on a little wrist strap thingy (which is thankfully super comfortable) and it will track your sleep time. You then log on to fitbit.com (or on the Fitbit mobile site) and enter your food and water consumption, and you can add additional activities or identify those you've done during the day to record the most accurate numbers possible.

The device wirelessly syncs if it's in proximity to your computer with the Fitbit receiver attached. Even during the day if you're not synced, you can see directly on the device what your activity levels are:

The flower grows to show how active you are, and the calories burned and steps taken are also displayed.

Let's look at the online system:

An example of my Fitbit snapshot. Here, you can see my calories burned and calories eaten. If you look at my calories burned chart in the bottom left, you can tell I did my workout in the morning before work. On this particular day, I did arms/shoulders/back weight circuits, jogging on the treadmill, the StairMaster, and huffing it on the ARC Trainer.
More detail about my activity for the day. Oy how sedentary. Thanks, desk job.
My sleep. A common issue with me.
My food log.

Some things I realized while using the Fitbit:

  • Holy cow, I DO NOT take any steps when I'm at work. If I didn't exercise, my average steps per day were UNDER 3000! That's bananas. This means I'm getting up and walking a lot more at work, and trying to walk after work even if it's not a “workout”
  • My calories were actually lower than what I thought I was eating. Imagine my surprise when I entered my food and saw how low (for me) my calories were. Tracking is more important than I thought.
  • My sleep is still an issue, even though I thought I was getting better at it. I'm an insomniac, and even with new medicine and a concerted effort to get to sleep earlier, there is still a lot more that can be improved.
  • Side note: My hubs (a complete technophobe) has been begging me to use it when he goes to work (he's a nurse and is on his feet all day). He has been mildly obsessed. I need to set him a profile up and see about lending it to him for a week.

Pros:

  • Super small, you hook it on and forget it. Wasn't visible under clothes.
  • Battery lasts FOREVER (well, not really – but a really long time!) so you don't have to keep remembering to plug it up
  • Display on the actual device is GENIUS – no separate device or computer needed to check your progress throughout the day
  • Wireless sync means never having to remember to plug it in. As soon as I was in vicinity of my laptop with the charger, it would sync up
  • The website is VERY easy to use to both review activity and sleep information and to enter foods
  • The mobile website is AWESOME and is really easy to enter foods on the go no without a separate app for the phone
  • The sleep tracking was eerily accurate
  • No required monthly membership fee to use the service (there is an additional upgrade option for more reporting, but the actual base monitoring is probably thorough enough for most people – me included)

Cons:

  • Um, it's super small, so once you hooked it on, you might forget it – I can see how these might accidentally end up in the washing machine hooked to a bra
  • Not all the foods I eat are in their food database, however this is something I find with many food tracking sites. Entry of custom foods was very easy. Still, it requires some patience when you're near your nutrition labels to get things entered.
  • If you're forgetful (like me) you might forget to wear it, which pretty much defeats the purpose
  • Like other activity trackers, I think the accelerometer isn't quite so friendly to “smooth” activities such as riding a stationary bike or Bikram yoga- not enough bounce to record all the activity. On the flip side, you can go into the online system and add the activity at any time to have those activities more accurately represented in your activity and calories burned.
  • I really wish it had a heart rate monitor also (wishful thinking as I don't think any activity trackers have a HRM component to them).

The Fitbit retails for $99.95 and is available at Fitbit.com or at Best Buy, 24 Hour Fitness, REI and Finish Line retail locations. All in all, the Fitbit is a great tool if you need extra accountability with being honest about how much you're moving during the day. The wireless sync with the easy-to-use food entry system and sleep monitoring gives a great snapshot for your entire day.

The great news? I'm giving one away!

To enter to win (1) Fitbit:

  • Leave a comment on the post as to what you think you'd like most about the Fitbit (1 entry, required)

For additional entries, you can do ANY or ALL of the following OPTIONAL items, just make sure to come back and leave a SEPARATE COMMENT for each item.

Giveaway ends Friday July 1, 2011 at 6pm EST. Open to US Residents only. Winner will be randomly selected using random.org and notified via email. Winner must respond within 24 hours or another winner will be selected.

DISCLOSURE: Fitbit provided their product for review at no cost to me. As always, all opinions are unfiltered, honest, and strictly my own. I endorse Blog With Integrity. For my full disclosure policy, click here.

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Comments

  1. omgosh! that thing is seriously the coolest! i would love how it shows how active you are and gives you a realistic view of what you’ve burned vs. what you eat. i don’t find my HRM to be very reliable for that. neat!!!

  2. Wow, I’d love to have one of these! I currently use the Bodybugg, but I’ve looked at these!

    I love the fact that you don’t have to have a monthly subscription with this one! Oh and that the device itself has a display–unlike my Bugg in which I have to wear a separate display.

  5. I would love this!! I just started a new workout plan but have been struggling with the concept of trying to count calories consumed and calories burned! What a help this would be!

  6. I’m been avoiding a heart rate monitor because it’s hot, sticky, expensive, gets in the way, sweaty, etc. This is small and adorable and affordable and a good way to see if I really need/want a device like this. Plus the accountability. I liked on twitter and FB, and I already like and follow you!!

    PS I love your new haircut.

  7. I love the idea of an all day tracker…something to show me how active (or inactive) through out the day! The reporting looks awesome!

  9. Oooh! I love this — like you, I’m very bare-bones electronically in terms of fitness equipment. All I have is a Polar for workouts, but lately I’ve been thinking I need a better tracker… but do I get a pedometer, a Garmin? This sounds like a good combo option! Reading your review, I think I would love in triple equal parts: 1) tracking daily activity and seeing what I’m REALLY doing. I’d like to know if I’ve been OVER estimating or UNDER estimating my daily activity. 2) the sleep tracker, which is one of the elements I’ve heard about regarding Body Bug that made me really want one. I know good sleep aids weight loss, so I’m super curious. 3) the interface looks SUPER CUTE. I’m a “good interface” nerd. So. 🙂

  14. I think I would like fitbit because I am not a “techophile” but more of a technophobe! It seems so easy to use and lord knows I could use a swift kick in the rear when it comes to getting exercise as one of my top priorities!

  15. I like the easy accessibility of it. It’s like a set it and forget it, except it’s just a clip it and forget it. I have been debating getting one and your review almost has me convinced.

  16. I have been on my weight loss journey for about 3 years now, and though I have come farther than I ever thought possible of myself, I have been at a plateau for several months. I’m a scientist by day, so I LOVE data and numbers. A FitBit would be a great tool for me to analyze all of my daily behaviors and see where I need to make some changes and get my health going in the right direction again!

  25. That is probably the most useful thing I’ve seen in a long long time… I need something that shows amount of cals burned because I have no idea how much is burned doing whatever… What a great review, I expected nothing less from such a great blog!

  29. Fitbit looks awesome. I think I would like to see the sleep accuracy the most. I have a 1 year old who get’s me up at least 2 times a night, it would be interesting to see how much sleep I actualy get. Thanks for the opportunity to win a FitBit. 🙂

  35. Okay, so this is seriously cool – I’ve been thinking about getting a BodyBugg, but if the fitbit is as good as it sounds, I’m in!

  36. I think the Fitbit would be a more accurate way for me to track calories burned through out my daily life. However, I’d be a little nervous to see how sedentary I am at work.

  42. I would love a FitBit – I’ve lost a lot of weight so far, but I’m starting to struggle because the game changes every 50 pounds or so. I have to adjust my eating and exercising to work with my new stats. I’m really interested in something like this with an online profile, but can’t afford one on my own right now.

  46. I think the biggest reason I’d love it is that I don’t have to wear it on my arm the way I wore the BodyBugg. I sold that because I was so self-conscious about having it tightly attached to my arm all the time. Something I could hook to my bra would be amazing. And how cute is its tiny little charger? I adore tiny things…

  51. The FitBit sounds like (and the data it provides looks like) it would be an amazing tool to help on my weight loss journey. I would love to have one!!

  52. I think I would love this product’s ability to give feedback on my sleep patterns.

  54. Oh, this is so cute! (Always important in a fitness accessory. :)) Oddly enough, the sleep feedback is what piques my curiosity most. If I don’t win it, I’ll add it to the lottery list.

  58. This will definitely be a plus to my weight loss journey. It will act like a QA to my activites. I need one :). Emmie, you are doing awesome, keep up the great work.

  59. I would love to see my overall stats for the day and see what kind of workout I am really getting.

  61. This sounds like a great tool to use. I may need to check more into the Fitbit… checks my steps, my sleep, and I can log my food intake. I love not having to charge it all the time!

  62. I love how small it looks!! I could easily hide that in my work outfit, and see how much I walk each day! (admittedly, it’s probably not enough– hopefully this would be good motivation!)

  65. I’d like a fitbit because they just started to interface with the tracking software I use to log calories (LoseIt) and I don’t have the financial capability right now to buy any fun new gadgets to help keep me workout motivated. I have to rely on my friends to help keep my rear in gear for workouts!

  76. The FitBit sounds like an awesome tool! I think what I would like most about it is how incredibly aware it makes the user/wearer of their day’s activities. The ease of synching it online and getting a visual of small improvements that can be made in the subsequent days.

  79. I would be psyched about the sleep (because my sleep patterns are jacked up, I’m sure) and I love that it breaks down your activity level between “very active” “lightly” “sedentary” etc. I think I might overestimate my activity level.

  89. I’ve had on eye on this for a while as I too am an insomniac and think that just the sleep feature would be revealing. I too have a Polar but am looking for a better overall picture of my days. I would be ecstatic to be picked and be able to use such a wonderful too in conjunction with my weight loss and exercise goals.

  91. Hi Emmie!

    I’d love all of the features! I’d really like to know how many calories I am burning throughout the day. Even when I work out at the gym I don’t know how many cals I’m burning because the machines there can’t be programmed to give someone my weight accurate feedback. 🙁

  98. The Fitbit sounds awesome! I think it would help me more accurately measure my workouts and encourage me to get some steps in during the workday.

  100. I think I’d like the small size in regards to the FitBit. I’m a BodyMedia user and my biggest (and probably only) gripe about it is that it is so conspicuous.

  104. I think that the activity tracker would be great for me! I try to walk a lot but I don’t really measure my walking unless I’m on the treadmill at the gym. This would allow me to track that activity/those steps!

  108. I love my Fitbit. I’m so addicted to making sure I hit my step goals each day. I teach Zumba and my students are buying them one. We love to compare our stats after class.

  109. I’ve been wanting to try the Fitbit for a LONG time but couldn’t justify the expense. I, too, am an office worker who doesn’t take nearly enough steps throughout the day and this fancy little device might just help me keep track & get back on track! Please pick me!!
    Thanx!

  112. I thought that sleep information was awesome. It would be cool to be able to try it out.

  113. I think I would love this because it would make me more aware of my daily activity and would most likely motivate me to keep moving.

  117. I’d love to be able to compare the calories I burn on a daily basis to the calories I eat with my food and see if there are any disparancies.

    (P.S. I’m not a U.S. resident YET, but I well be in a couple of weeks. I hope this is okay.)

  120. I liked Fitibit on Facebook. (I don’t want to publish my full name here… but in case I win you will see who I am ;-))

  123. This seems so cool. I am a waitress and I feel like I am running around all the time (mostly like a chicken with my head cut off) I would love to see what all that running around means.

  127. I liked you on facebook… silly that i am just doing it now since I have “liked” you for months

  130. I can’t decide what I’d like the most–it’s between the sleep info and being able to check how I’m doing on the device.

  131. I would just love the ability to track everything and get a snapshot of how I am doing every day! I also love that it monitors your activity level all day. I think that would be very interesting and helpful. Great giveaway!

  136. I have been looking at the FitBit since before they launched it. I would love to track my sleep patterns and all my activity. Thanks!

  137. I would like that each day I could see the calories in vs calories out. I know that this is the core to weight loss and it would be great to see a true reflection.

  144. Wow! This is a popular give away!

    Anyway, I’m interested in two things. One, I’d love to better track my activity. My days are fairly active, but I fear I may be over-estimating how active I really am. Two, I need to track my sleep better. I’d love to know what it has to say about my sleep cycle. How does it do that anyway?

  145. I think the fitbit would be great to measure my sleeping habits. I’ve been having serious issues getting a good nights sleep and it would be great to understand how my body behaves at night.

  147. I’m super-excited about this giveaway. The thing I think I’d like the most about this is the ability to fairly accurately track calories burned. I have NO CLUE how many calories I’m currently burning, and I think knowing would help me in several ways.

  152. This would be awesome to see how many calories I’m actually burning during my runs. Also, I need to be more accountable with my eating and this would help…a lot.

  155. Definitely the sleep patterns. I tend to get up and down a lot, so I’m curious as to how efficient my sleep really is.

  156. I really like the idea of having the sleep component .. I know my sleep is off and I’d like to know just how off it is.

  157. I love the idea of all the information that this little tool can provide! I’ve not found a simple pedometer that works well for me….too much jiggle confuses it, I suppose. 🙂 Anyway, I’d love to win one of these little gems.

  159. I just got a fitbit this past Saturday and I am already in love with it! I also have the BodyMedia Fit, and have had it for a few years now. While I love the BodyMedia Fit, the fitbit is much less obtrusive and easy to wear 🙂

  160. What a cool gadget! I think I’m most interested to see the sleep numbers. I think a lot of my problems during the day (fatigue, lack of concentration, etc) come from either dehydration or simply lack of (good) sleep. It would be interesting to see just how much rest I’m actually getting. Seeing my calories burned would also be helpful. Thanks for offering such a great giveaway!

  163. This is a fantastic giveaway!!!! I’ve had my eye on these for a while. I love the fact that they sync up when you walk by- it’s so convenient not to have to plug it in and wait for your data to transfer.

  166. Ive been looking at fitbit and waiting for a sale! Id love to be able to track mysleeping. Thats one of my goals in a challenge Im participating in this summer. Id also love to be able to track my steps per day! thanks for the chance to win one!

  169. Oh my gosh, I would love this! Tracking steps and calories and sleep all on one device?? I’d love it all!

  174. Knowing my real activity level during the day would be extremely helpful. I spend a lot of time at the computer!

  177. I would love this fitbit because it tracks almost everything. It gets frustrating having so many different tools that track different things. Having one that does it all would be fabulous!

  178. I would love to know how much I am actually sleeping. I have struggled with sleep issues for as long as I can remember, and I know it can really hinder your weight loss to not get enough sleep in. The step counter would also be very interesting to see. I have a desk job too, and would like to see how few steps I actually get from 8-5 and how I can get more activity in while I am at work.

  180. I am also a big gadget fiend (I have waaaay too many workout apps on my phone!) and would love to have one gadget that tracks EVERYTHING so I am not trying to start an app and start my HRM and get my exercise on all in the same time! I’ve also been struggling in my healthiness journey and I think this little gadget would really hold me accountable to doing what I am supposed to do!

  184. I’d love to see a true calorie burn, all the machines I use seem to give such different information – drives me nuts. Awesome giveaway. I’ve got a link up to your giveaway on my blog.

  186. I’ve been using my FitBit for over a year now and absolutely love it. I don’t use it to its full potential because I can’t seem to track my food.

    I rencently had to reset it because it stopped tracking but other than that I haven’t had any problems. I almost lost it a couple of times because it fell off but luckily I heard it or saw it lying on the ground.

    I would love to know how you copied your FitBit page stats to post on your blog. I’ve been trying to figure out how to do that but haven’t had any success. What’s the trick?

  190. I would love to see how many calories I’m burning in a day because my workouts don’t always seem accurate on other tracking sites!

  191. I’ve only recently started my fitness journey and have a long way to go. I can see from your post that the fitbit would help me stay on track and achieve my weight loss and fitness goals. P.S. I already follow you on twitter.

  192. I love that it will accurately track my sleep. I see from the other comments that I’m not alone in having sleep concerns.

  193. Drool! I would love to win this. I love that it tells you your sleep efficiency and how long it takes you to get to sleep – I have a lot of trouble with waking in the night and falling asleep too slowly, so I would love to know just how much rest I actually get in any given night. The instant calorie check is also a neat feature!

  194. This little dynamo looks like an awesome tool to help me know for sure if I’m getting as much activity as I think I am. Since I work from home, I’m never quite sure how much physical activity there is in my artwork, or when I’m working on a DIY project.

    It seems like it could be a real asset as an additional level of monitoring for my sleep apnea, too.

  195. I would love the smallness of it and being able to see how well you are sleeping. Pick me, pick me 🙂 Love your site Emmie – you are an inspiration to me!

  196. I have wanted a fitbit for a while but couldn’t justify the expense! I have a pedometer, but I’d love something that ties in with a tracking website, and I love the sleep tracking feature!

  198. I’m thinking that it would give me motivation, proof that I have some sleep issues, and it would force me to be more truthful about how much I move around (or not) and how much I eat. I would like to know more about my sleep cycles, and it would help me figure out how to sleep a bit more efficiently (am I sleeping in 3 hour cycles?–then plan to sleep in multiples of 3…)

  199. I like that there’s no required monthly fee. I tried the Bodymedia tracker, but I felt like I was spending too much money on something monthly, when it was so expensive to begin with.

  207. I like that it can be worn on your clothes and is much more discreet than a bodybugg or body media fit.

  215. I would love to have an accurate way to track my calories burned. I currently use My Fitness Pal, which is beyond awesome, but sometimes I’m unsure if the calories burned is accurate (900 calories for an hour on the elliptical- I’ll take it, but it seems like A LOT). It’s hard to be truly accurate when you are estimating your calories in and out, and I’d love to have a way to do this more accurately. Maybe then I could bust out of this plateau!

  221. I love this! I love how discreet it is. I have another device but I don’t wear it out because it’s so visible.

  222. I love the size and the comprehensize info it provides. I’m with you on the heart rate monitor piece – I struggle with the strap on my monitor so it would be nice to incorporate into Fitbit!

  223. Following on twitter and facebook now 🙂

    I like that there is no monthly fee! hehe seriously though, the sleep monitoring and activity tracking in such a small device topped off that I don’t need a separate display to check on my stats? love it.

    I’m glad you did a review, I haven’t seen much about the FitBit and have been intrigued.

  224. I think I will love the sleep tracking. I think I do myself a big disservice in this area.

  227. I already follow you on Twitter! And I would love a fitbit! I definitely need to increase my steps and this would help!

  228. I already LOVE Skinny Emmie on Facebook! Need to get more sleep and would love to know how often I wake up and how long it takes me to fall asleep.

  229. Hi Emmie! I would love one of these. I’m training for a marathon and it would be the best way to make sure I get enough calories without overeating. Fingers crossed x

  230. I now follow fitbit on Twitter! Interested in increasing my activity and tracking more accurately.

  231. Oh man, this is so cool! I think the best part, for me, is that I don’t have a good sense of how many calories I’m burning in a day (workout day or not), so this would really help me get a better sense of my activity levels outside of my own perceived rate of exertion. Plus, SO CUTE! Thanks for the review/giveaway.

  232. And I now like Fitbit on Facebook too! Pick me! I need to get my act together and seeing it visually would really help!

  233. I would most like the sleep tracking on the fitbit. Well, maybe the more accurate activity tracking too. Can’t decide. Need/want both!

  234. Would love to have all that info to see how i am really doing! Probably get some surprises like you did.

  235. Thanks for the great, thorough review! I would love to win one bc it would be a great way to get a more accurate picture of my whole activity level and calories in vs calories out. Thanks for the giveaway!

  245. I would like the Fitbit total activity tracker during the day. Not only to measure my steps, but also to calculate my calorie intake. I’m newer to this weight loss journey and believe this would be just the thing to keep me on track!

  248. I love new technology as well! My favorite thing about the Fitbit is the sleep tracker! Not to mention, knowing my calorie intake/calories burned would help keep me motivated throughout the day.

  252. I would LOVE a Fitbit – I tried the BodyMedia FIT and didn’t like wearing the device on my arm – and also that I had to plug it in to see any results. I think the real-time results on the Fitbit would be AWESOME!

  253. I’d been doing pretty well last year, but a bad injury in January sidelined me from my proud 50-pound loss. I’ve gained a little back and I’m having SO much trouble getting back into it. My health is suffering, my mojo is gone, my motivation gone, and so I need a kick in the pants. I’d like to think this would do it.

  254. I think this would be super handy esp in the beginning to find out just how active a person really is. Sometimes I think I am trying harder to move more but not sure if its working or not.

  259. I like the size of the Fitbit and how it is discreet and I can wear it while sleeping! I also like the fact that I can know exactly how many calories I am taking in and burning.

  269. Fitbit is just what it is named. A little bit of a thing that would motivate me to move, move, move. I love the idea of hooking it on my bra. I cannot tell you how many pedometers I have lost in toilet tanks or bathroom because they were hooked on my waist band.

  275. I’ve always wanted FitBit and tried ordering one last year but it was backordered for 6 months. I’d LOVE to get one now (still!) and I have BodyMedia but I don’t like it sometimes and how I forget to charge or put it on.

  280. I have the most opportunity to track my activity level to understand how my lifestyle/job impact my calories burned. I would LOVE to have the FitBit for that feature alone!

  285. What a great review Em! I used a Bodybugg before but switched to a Fitbit and I LOVE IT!!! So much better then having the armband. I did tweet about it and liked you on FB.

  293. I would love to have the fit bit and truly see my walking activity level and sleep ratio. It would be nice to see if those 4 miles I just ran truly count.

  294. I like how the FitBit tracks food and sleep and activity. All three are so relevant to weight loss. You may think you’re eating right and exercising only to find that you aren’t getting enough sleep. It’s a great use of technology to get and stay healthy!

  296. I would really like to be able to see how much (or little) i am actually moving throughout the day. I have people at work that swear we walk miles a day just to and from the printer…somehow I doubt it! Thanks!

  299. The thing I would most like about the fitbit is it’s ability to measure steps taken and calories burned. I’ve found that the machines in my gym are terribly inaccurate as far as measuring calories so I’ve been wanting something to track this for quite a while!

  300. I work at a convention center and some days I never stop moving and other days I am compeltely sedatary. I would love to be able to track what I do each day at work!

  304. I think I would love love love to try the FitBit! I am currently expecting (21.5 weeks) and I am finding it SO hard to manage my pregnancy weight gain. I’m trying to stay active, but I also don’t want to be one of these women that gains 100 pounds during her pregnancy. I think the FitBit would give me a better idea of the calories I’m actually burning so that I could manage my food better. I also think it would be SUPER helpful when I start working off these pregnancy pounds come November!

    This is a great giveaway! Hope I win!!

  309. I’d use the fitbit to track my NEAT movement, a la Move a Little, Lose a Lot– a weight loss approach I’m currently attempting to implement!

  321. What a great giveaway! What I like to most is the ability to see how much activity I am actually getting in a day, not just the estimate I have now. I think that would be very useful in my quest to get healthy.

  322. hi,,the fitbit has changed my life from hardly any activity, to moving most of my day now,,what i like most, is it is simple, easy to use,,small,,and with almost a week away from my computer, it still had charge, an i could check my activity level,,best little tool ever,,i love my fitbit,,made me love life again..

  324. I think a fitbit would be great to see how much you really move at work. I think I would use it to try and get more activity in my life. The pie chart looks really cool.

  327. Super cool! I would loooove a Fitbit! I would love it to track my sleep and everyday routine. I have a calorie counter in my Polar HRM, but this seems SO much more all-inclusive.

  329. I would love a Fitbit because I am trying to make my life heathier, and while I eat pretty well, the step counter and sleep tracking might help me in my everyday batlle. Thank you!

  331. I would love to see how much activity I’m actually getting in during the day-if it’s what i’m expecting or actually a lot more or less!

  337. Hi Emmie,
    I’m a very new reader of your blog and it’s scary how similar we are!!! Anyway, I think for me, the coolest feature is how accurate it is and the ability to track everything in one place online! I’ve been looking at Fitbit for over a year now, but just didn’t have the dollars to get me one. I really think it would motivate me to move more once I see how much I don’t in black and white! hahaha. Thanks for doing the giveaway…that’s really sweet!

  340. I love that the FitBit is small and just clips on your bra or clothing! I have a Body Bugg and wearing the band around my arm is sometimes a bummer. I don’t always like having people see it or having to explain what it is and why I’m wearing it!

  341. I am now following you on Twitter…why wasn’t I doing that before?!
    Twitter name is CovertBazinga.

  350. I’m super excited that I recently found your blog via stumble upon, it’s been really motivating to read your posts. The Fitbit sounds like such a life saver when it comes to counting calories. I’m constantly having to guess at how many calories I’m burning, specially during my Zumba class. Having one device that tracks everything is more convenient than the numerous apps I currently use.

  353. Great review! I would love to see the “complete” picture this gadget would give me.

  354. I would love to have this! I love new technology and the website for it looks amazing!

  359. I have the Bodybugg and I tend to feel it gets in the way, but fit it seems perfect! I love the extensive overview it gives you and I feel it would greatly help me achieve my weight loss goals! Thanks for this opportunity =)

  364. I already use a food tracker but think it would be amazing to hve everything recorded in one place! It’ll def hold me more accountable!

  369. I need to lose those nasty last 10lbs and can’t seem to get them off. Fitbit please help me!!!

  371. I would LOVE to be able to track how everyday bits of activity (parking far away, skipping around with my puppy, dancing alone in my kitchen) in addition to running help me on my healthiness journey. When the journey gets really tough, knowing small choices really matter will be super motivation (I’ve lost 90lbs and want to lose 30 more)

  379. The Fitbit sounds awesome! I have been working out consistently for nearly 2 years now and have managed to loose 20+ pounds, but I have been at a plateau for the last year or so. I know I need to change up my workout routine (which I have just started doing), possibly add some light activity (such as evening walks) and track my eating, so it sounds like the Fitbit would be a valuable tool in helping me acheive my fitness goals.

    P.S. I absolutely love your blog. You tell funny stories, you are honest, and you are a great writer.

  380. I just liked Skinny Emmie on facebook! I didn’t even know you were on facebook!

  382. This sounds like just the thing I’ve been looking into getting. I’m beyond curious what my daily calorie burn/activity is, and what a great way to become more accountable with my movements. I too sit at a desk every day, and can’t help but wonder if I would purposely move more throughout the day just to up my steps. Thanks for the review! I would love to enter your give-away.

  384. I would really like the idea of being able to acurately track my activity. Plus the fact it’s so small and easy to wear.

  390. I love the thought of being able to track my activity ALL DAY, as well as my sleep. That, combined with tracking my food, is fantastic! I’m firmly entrenched on my weight loss journey, and any tool I can use that will help me to NOT give up is something I’d love to have.

  396. Hi, I am following you on Twitter! 🙂

    Thank you for your thorough review of the fitbit, I have been thinking of getting one. I really like the fact that it would be small enough to put on my bra, I often wear dresses to work and I have yet to find a pedometer that works for me when I don’t have a waistband.

  398. Nice review! Please count me in on the giveaway, but I’m glad you included the retail sites that carry this, for those of us who don’t win.

  402. I would love the calories in and calories out monitoring. Oh, more important than that I would like to know if my running is really high intensity, or I just think it is……

  404. I love crunching numbers and would love a device to help me look at the numbers associated with my workout and sleep Thanks.

  412. I’d love to have the Fitbit to see my sleep patterns. I’m a little obsessed with sleep, and I haven’t been sleeping that well lately. I’m also convinced that on nights my boyfriend stays over I don’t sleep nearly as well. I’d love to be able to show him the proof!

  416. Hi Emmie
    I would love a Fitbit even if just to find out more about my sleeping patterns. Thanks for the chance to win one.
    Jeanie

  422. I would use this fitbit to hold my papers together at work when I have a huge stack of important documents. This way I can track my calorie loss while I walk to meetings!

  423. I think I’d like all the tracking features as well as the feedback on how much activity I’m getting during the day. Plus it sounds like a fun gadget to play with! Thanks for the review!

  431. Ohmigosh, I NEED to win this! I’ve been wanting a fitbit for 6+ months. I love how compact it is and also that you don’t have to pay a service fee to get all those stats!

  435. I’d love to see the sleep tracking info and I am intirgued by the fact that it will track my calorie expenditure instead of me having to guess!

  441. starting on the weight loss journey (again…) I would like to keep track of everything going in and all the energy that I’ll be burning!

  447. I think the thing I’d like the most about the FitBit is the ability to be competitive with my friends and track not only my own steps and calories lost but theirs as well.

  453. I’m pretty curious about the sleep tracking aspect of it. I already use a Nike+ sportband to record how much I walk, but it’d be neat to have a little gizmo that tracks all the non-fitness-oriented activities I do during the day.

  454. I am interested in how much exercise I really do when I’m doing the mundane things like pulling weeds or getting up from the TV to get another glass of water. I’m afraid of how inactive it will say I am, but that is a good thing – right? I mean, I will see how much more exercise I should be doing!

  457. I like all the accountability aspects. I am very bad with procrastination. I need to lose 100 pounds, so thanks!!

  463. For me I like the idea of knowing how many calories I burn. I know that information comes up on my elliptical and wii fit, but I’m not entirely sold on how accurate those are, so something like this would be awesome!

  464. You have done a nice job summarizing the capabilities of FitBit. I’m also interested in the tool. I’ve been using the Bodybugg for 6 months. This is very similar to the Bodymedia tool you are comparing to the FitBit. I think I’d most like the FitBit due
    1. to it’s size being easier to conceal compared to the Bodybugg
    2. No subscription fee
    3. Tracks sleep
    Thanks for sharing your review!

  465. I had not heard of this brand.. I love the size of it. That makes it so much better than any of the previous trackers I have looked at.

  469. I think I’m creating a calorie deficit with my eating & fitness routine, but the scale isn’t showing it. I think this could be an awesome tool to help me figure out what I’ve got to tweak.

  470. OMG this looks so awesome! I totally want one! Maybe this will be the thing I need to get me over my plateau

  475. I recently moved to Philadelphia and I walk everywhere! I would be curious to know how much I am walking and being active on top of my workouts. I’m glad you discussed the pros and cons of this because I have been very interested in the product.

  478. I think I would like most about being able to accurately track my calories burned and it being so easy to wear all day.

  483. Wow, that look super cool! Would love to try the Fitbit. If I don’t win…just might have to buy one!

    Jodi

  489. PICK ME PICK ME…because I’ve had this on my radar for a few months and feel like I need all the help I can get 🙂
    PLEASE 🙂

  490. I like that it tracks so many things to give you a fuller picture, instead of just tracking one thing like steps taken. Also think the flower growing and digital display on the device is pretty cool.

  495. I think the Fitbit would help me in findling patterns in my activity. I know I don’t walk much at work, but what other times of the days or what specific days am I less actuve.

  500. I would love to see all of the data FitBit has to offer. While I use an HRM while I exercise to have full day data would be wonderful!

  501. I think the FitBit would be awesome to use on my college campus to remind me when I need to get up and move. Sitting in 8 or more hours of class every day is killing my workout routine, and sometimes I need a good reminder.

  506. I’d like a Fitbit in order to see how much energy I REALLY expend throughout the day, and when that energy is used. It’d probably motivate me to try to move around more!

  507. Love, love, love my fit bit but would love to win one for my fiancé. Best fit ess tool I have ever purchased for all the same reasons you give.

  508. I’ve been wondering about these since it integrated with Loseit! This was a great review and I love the screenshots.

  510. WOW–over 500 comments…well I will give it a try anyway. I would like a FitBit because I am 61 years old and trying to become more accountable. I think this would help me because it looks like it is full service. Activity and food intake in one easy to use location. Thanks for the opportunity!!

  511. I’ve been tempted by the Fitbit for a while too. I like that it will track your various activity levels through the day plus your sleep patterns.

  518. I would love to have a Fitbit to help me get on track. I am still struggling with my weight. I just cannot seem to lose any in spite of all the exercising I am doing. So, I must be doing something wrong and maybe Fitbit can help me. Also, I love tech gadgets!

  519. I would love a Fitbit to help kick start my new healthy lifestyle!! If I don’t win it, I am go going to ask my hubby to by me one!

  520. What I l like most about fitbit is that it is able to track your activity progress. This would motivate me to do more on my workout.
    amramazon280 AT yahoo DOT com

  525. I’ve been really contemplating buying the fitbit and I think that the thing that I would like most about it is the ability to see a longterm record of my activity. Plus, I’d like to see if I’m getting enough sleep.

  530. I would love to track how much I actually move in a day. The sleep part is also fascinating. Who keeps track of that??? Love it!

  533. I also Liked on facebook (I think i’m doing what i’m supposed to by leaving a comment for each)

    thanx again

  538. I’ve never heard of FitBit before and it sounds like a useful and entertaining way to track my progress! And like many others, I am intrigued by the sleep feature – especially because I work nights.

  539. I would LOVE this to monitor my sleeping! I work shift work, so sleeping enough/well enough is a major issue. and obviously, would love it for all of the other cool things it does. 🙂

  540. I would love to use the fitbit to see how much I am burning throughout the day. I am on my feet at work but on my days off sometimes I feel like I am too sedentary. Tracking sleep would also be interesting. Fingers crosses !!!!!

  541. I would use fitbit to truly track my activity. I think I often overestimate. It would be cool to have an accurate number.

  544. I think I’d like the no-thought syncing.  That way I don’t lose my data because it was a long day and I just didn’t have time to sync the device.

    I’ve wondered about this tool, and I like your take on it.  I’m glad it worked for you on your bra strap (my reg pedometer doesn’t do that – the day I tried it recorded 43 steps.  Not even close).  

  545. I think I’d like the no-thought syncing.  That way I don’t lose my data because it was a long day and I just didn’t have time to sync the device.

    I’ve wondered about this tool, and I like your take on it.  I’m glad it worked for you on your bra strap (my reg pedometer doesn’t do that – the day I tried it recorded 43 steps.  Not even close).  

  550. I LOVE the fact that this little guy is so little! I used the Body Bugg before and just hated how cumbersome it was! I always felt like I was tugging and pulling on it! I can clip it and go and it makes my weight loss journey that much easier!

  551. I think I would love that the FitBIt is so tiny! I had a HUGE Body Bugg and I think this would be soo much better!

  552. I LOVE the fact that this little guy is so little! I used the Body Bugg before and just hated how cumbersome it was! I always felt like I was tugging and pulling on it! I can clip it and go and it makes my weight loss journey that much easier!

  553. I think I would love that the FitBIt is so tiny! I had a HUGE Body Bugg and I think this would be soo much better!

  556. I think this would be a great wakeup as to how little I move during the day at my desk job!

  557. I think this would be a great wakeup as to how little I move during the day at my desk job!

  558. I think this would help especially knowing how much sleep as well as how many calories burned working around the house and taking care of the kids daily.

  559. I think this would help especially knowing how much sleep as well as how many calories burned working around the house and taking care of the kids daily.

  568. I would love the fact that the Fitbit could track ALL that and I could hid it so easily on my body. Some contraptions like that are huge and go around your arm and are just not an option for me, no thanks. The tracker would be fantastic!

  570. I would love the fact that the Fitbit could track ALL that and I could hid it so easily on my body. Some contraptions like that are huge and go around your arm and are just not an option for me, no thanks. The tracker would be fantastic!

  582. Just created and started following Fit Bit on twitter! *Who knows maybe I will like this Twitter thing?*

  584. Just created and started following Fit Bit on twitter! *Who knows maybe I will like this Twitter thing?*

  586. I really love the size of the Fitbit, it seems less bulky and inconspicuous as other monitors! The online interface seems very user friendly, hope I win!

  587. I really love the size of the Fitbit, it seems less bulky and inconspicuous as other monitors! The online interface seems very user friendly, hope I win!

  596. I like that it tracks your activity all day.  Its great to know when you can be more active.

  597. I like that it tracks your activity all day.  Its great to know when you can be more active.

  606. I was trying to decide if the Fitbit would work for me. Skinny Emmie’s review really helped me to decide. Thank you Emmie!

  607. I was trying to decide if the Fitbit would work for me. Skinny Emmie’s review really helped me to decide. Thank you Emmie!

  608. I love that it’s wireless and will sync up within range of your laptop. Sweet! But I really heart that it’s so small that no one can see and/or notice 🙂

  609. I love that it’s wireless and will sync up within range of your laptop. Sweet! But I really heart that it’s so small that no one can see and/or notice 🙂

  610. Of all the features, I think I’d like how inconspicuous it is most. I don’t mind people knowing I care about my health, but I do mind ruining a perfectly good outfit. 🙂

  611. Of all the features, I think I’d like how inconspicuous it is most. I don’t mind people knowing I care about my health, but I do mind ruining a perfectly good outfit. 🙂