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“I’ve been trying to decide whether or not to purchase a fitness tracker, and if I do, which one to choose?” – Heather Miller
I definitely have mixed feelings about activity trackers. On the one hand they can offer some valuable insights into your true daily activity level and may inspire you to get up and moving more often.
On the other hand, they could cause you to get a little obsessive about exercise and, they aren’t always accurate. One recent study found that some of the top brands can be off by as much as 23 percent. Click here to check out the full study:
Here’s an excerpt from a recent guest post I did for Sarafit that sums up how I feel about activity trackers:
These days digital devices are changing the way view our workouts, food and even sleep! As a certified personal trainer and wellness coach, I’ll be the first to admit there are some pretty amazing gadgets out there that can track everything from your calorie burn, step count and even sleep cycles, but how much good are they really doing for you? If we end up relying on devices to tell us what’s going on with our body, could they be doing more harm than good? Are we losing touch with our body’s true signals by placing too much importance on what that wristband says?
Here are three reasons I don’t personally use a tracker:
1) You may not realize it, but that little device could be putting an awful lot of pressure on you.
RELATED: Why You Should Forget How Many Calories Your Workout Burns
2) You know that saying, “a watched pot never boils…?”
Well, there may be some truth to that.
I understand that it can be helpful to track calories, distance, heart rate, and all that jazz, and that it can help you lose weight (especially if you had no previous idea of how many calories you were eating and/or not burning off), but if you’ve been using your device for awhile and the scale seems stuck, focusing all your attention on those numbers could be hindering your progress rather than helping it. Here’s why – in my years of coaching and training (not to mention my personal experience with being 40 pounds overweight), I’ve found that usually weight gain isn’t just a matter of calories in, calories out, but rather a symptom of something beyond what you can measure with a tracking device. For me, I find that the harder I work to “diet and exercise,” the more weight I gain! Instead, when I start tuning into my body in all areas of my life I’m able to find the right balance of work, play, food, rest and movement that made me feel healthy, happy and full of energy. To get to that place where losing weight simply becomes a positive outcome of a positive life, you may need to ignore what the numbers and data say to truly find what makes your body, mind and spirit feel the absolute best.
3) You don’t need a device to tell you how far you can (or should) go.
Sure, it’s nice to know that you ran 5 miles or burned 500 calories with that last workout, but the truth is, you don’t need a device to tell you when your workout is done or how far you have left to run! Tuning back into your body could help you push yourself even further without that much extra effort. By honoring your body’s need to rest on certain days (no matter what that activity meter says) you may be able to replenish a depleted gas tank and push yourself even further or faster on your next workout. By eating when you are hungry (instead of skipping a snack because you’ve reached your calorie intake for the day) you may be able to starve off a binge attack later.
Not to mention ladies, you know that there are certain times of the month where your energy levels drop, and that’s a natural part of your cycle that is worth honoring, not fighting through just to make a certain daily goal.
TELL ME, DO YOU USE AN ACTIVITY TRACKER? IF SO WHICH ONE? HOW DO YOU LIKE IT? HAS IT HELPED YOU REACH YOUR GOALS?
Got a question for me? Leave it in the comments below and I may answer it in an upcoming Q and A episode!
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31 comments
Question (wasn't sure where to post this): For your September schedule, yesterday was arm weights, and today again. I thought (please correct me if I'm wrong) that in general we are not supposed to do weight training two days in a row? In the spirit of listening to my body, I switched my schedule to do the Strength in Stillness today and will do today's arms tomorrow. 🙂
Another question for Q & A: Maybe this is even not something others struggle with, but it has to do with breathing. It seems like such a basic thing, yet sometimes I find myself holding my breath on some stretches. Or when you are cuing "exhale", I find myself naturally inhaling. Is there some general rule (for example, exhale on exertion) or does it really matter?
Thanks in advance. Love these Q & A's!
Nanci
I like my fitbit – but more to gauge how active I am throughout the day since I have a desk job. I agree with Jessica that at home on my own time listening to how your body feels is better feedback!
I find I have more motivation while using my polar watch. I find that I push myself more. I am dependent on this watch now and I'm not sure if it's a problem or if it's beneficial.
Hi Nanci (+Managamasplymiad) – The two arm workouts were meant to be done on the same day (if you follow our social media channels I post the workouts of the day since it can be confusing on the list here). But I'm glad you switched them around and feel free to do that anytime as you probably don't want to work your arms two days in a row.
And thanks for your question about breathing – please stay tuned for more Q and A's coming soon for more answers!
Also, you might want to change your Google+ settings so that I can reply directly to your comments – otherwise they get lost easily 🙂
I have the Suunto M5, which isn't really complex. I bought it mainly to check/track the heart rate during the workout (and I only wear it then). Additionally it tells me how many calories I burn and how far and fast I go. I got it because I was curious how my heart rate goes up and down during the different kind of workouts. Other stuff is more for fun (and came with it anyway). I also don't make training plans with it, that could put me under pressure. Since I follow your schedules combined with how I feel, I don't see the purpose. But honestly, many times I put it on and realize during the workout, that I forgot to start it 🙂
Thank you Jessica for helping us save money! I used an activity tracker a few years ago and I used the elliptical at the gym, it would not track my movements because my arms did not go back far enough. But then it would tell me that I had burned a ton of calories just by walking (an absurd amount). I didn't like the inaccuracy of it, so I stopped wearing it. I do not think I will ever buy another one.
I do agree with you, especially when it comes to obsession and listening to your body.
I have a polar HRM, quite an advanced model with calorie tracker, etc. And, while it seems accurate about monitoring the actual heart rate, it has [almost] let me down at some point creating some sort of negative mindset (you're not pushing hard enough, you!, seemed it to yell).
It seems (my guess) that in advanced exercisers these devices underestimate the burn, while when you are a biginner they do the opposite. Hence comes obsession in the both groups.
Also fine tuning these devices may require clinical tests, indeed (how do I know my exact HR max? My body fat %? Exact resting heart rate? Even weight!).
So, after about 6 months I switched back to the good old perceived exertion). Feel happier now.
I also think such devices may be good if you are say, expecting, and need some sort of tracker to be sure that you do not over-exercise and stick to moderate intensity.
''Ain't nobody got time fo dat!'' haha 😀
I agree with everything you said Jessica, love ya!
Two of my interests are fitness and electronics so of course, I've tried various fitness trackers and fitness tracking apps. I can vouch for the inaccuracy of them: their counts can be VERY different. I like them because I can get lost in the blur of my workday and trackers remind me to take a walk and take time for myself. FitBit Flex was helpful to jumpstart my weight loss initially because its formula for calorie burn worked well for me personally. Striiv Play has been a reliable gadget and I love that it's a fun, cute game too. Now that I've learned more about what works for me, I'm not overly invested in my step count but I'm still consistently using a tracker.
I started tracking my calories on MyfitnessPal.com and have lost 31 pounds since January. I wanted an activity tracker to add
the correct amount of calories I burn during workouts. I received a Fitbit One for my birthday. I like it because it tracks my calorie burn on walks and syncs to MFP however, it doesn't track anything that is not step based. I love Jessica's barre workouts and know I burn more than the 40 or so it tracks. I probably should have gotten a heart rate monitor for that.
I have the Polar FT 4. It has the chest strap and watch. The main features are calorie tracking & heart rate. It actually works pretty well. I used it everyday for the first 2 months but then the novelty wore off. LoL. I can live without out so I don't think there necessary 🙂
Do you have another youtube channel called aerobic exercise, because I noticed there is another channel that has lot of your youtube videos re uploaded.. If not you may want to check it out since they are using your videos..
I have definitely been caught up in the "over-analyzing" whirlwind that is weight loss. I have been really working hard to just do what my body needs.
I personally use the Sparkpeople tracker, I like it for when I go on walks with my pup and to monitor my movement throughout the day. (I don't move enough during the day and am still trying to work more in) I have tracked the mileage from my walks before and it is pretty darn close to what the tracker has tracked! I have enjoyed it!
As always another GREAT Q & A!!
Thank you so much Jessica for addressing this topic. (And thanks to Heather for suggesting it!) I'm 53 and it's great to hear a young person say that we don't NEED another piece of technology!haha! I lost almost 50 pounds last year and am now in my healthy BMI. I have been looking at activity trackers because I thought I "needed" one to keep the weight off. But I'm convinced now that I don't. I do some type of activity at least 5 days a week and gauge how much activity that will be by how my body feels. However, I DO feel technology was a huge part of my weight loss by monitoring everything going INTO my body (i.e. eating!).
Thank you again Jessica!
Another informative episode. You are so right. I did finally get a fitbit…and I do like to see the number of steps I do in a day and it does log my sleep, etc, however, it fails to accurately account for weights, or any exercise where you don't move a lot. I did heavy weights and know about how many calories I may have burned, but it is not reflected on my fitbit. It is just an extra tool, and maybe not a necessary one. Some people may need that motivation and that is great. I work out regardless and have a good balance with that and eating, etc. I don't rely on my fitbit, but I have worn it so long now…it is like my buddy. I would miss it. I do not have it set to nag me though. Thanks again for your candor and down to earth sensible advice!
Thanks for this video. As always, you hit the nail on the head. I started counting steps with an activity tracker and it sets a daily goal for you. It doesn't track a lot of the activities we do in your videos but I've seen the results of following your daily schedule on my body weight, fitness, and feeling of well-being. I always put a lot of pressure on myself and the constant "pushing" by the activity monitor to make more and more steps was really getting to be a chore. I decided to listen to my body and not feel compelled to meet the number of steps called for by the monitor. I still wear it just so I know what I've done but I'm running my show again rather than the other way around. I've used other monitors but am currently wearing a Garmin Vivofit and I really like it.
I have used a fitbit since January. I got it at half price through my employer's health insurance. I use mine every day because I am overweight, in an extremely sedentary job (engineer) and even though I eat extremely healthily and work out, have had no results for years. I used pedometers now and then but kept losing them or washing/killing them! (the clip-on kind). The fitbit can get wet and I never take it off except to change bands–I color coordinate with what I wear. I learned through using it that my one hour of exercise each day 6x week was really not doing a thing since I average a total of maybe 3000 steps a day. That includes parking in the furthest parking spot from my job. Now I make myself reach 10000 steps a day though a combo of walking and doing Jessica's workouts (I use a web site to convert workouts to step equivalents.) I also use a FitBit role-playing game app (FITRPG) for some fun competition. Now for the positive–for the first time in a decade, I have lost weight–down between 11 and 13 pounds since December. Not enough to be noticeable yet but a start. It is also my goal to get more sleep. I was getting between 3 and 4 hours. At my job we are global and some days a teleconference at midnight and then at 530 AM. I use the sleep data as a way to turn down meetings.
Oh my goodness Jessica! I truly love your common sense approach to fitness, eating and life. It rings so true for me. The less I focus on the specifics of what I'm eating and how much I am exercising, and simply listen to my body, the better I look and feel. I enjoy working out, but I do what I feel like each day. I eat when I'm hungry, stop when I'm full and eat what I want to eat, with a mind toward good health. The less I focus on the details and goals, or shall I say, "obsess", the more balanced my life is. You are so good about giving sound advice, while not condemning others views. I really find your views so refreshing and encouraging. Thank you!
I bought a polar heart rate monitor and calorie tracker, and I was very discouraged instead of motivated by it. I've been working out a long time, and in pretty good shape. But while doing the 30 minute cardio routines, I found my heart rate barely in the zone I should be in, and I hardly burned any calories! In order to get my hr up I had to be working at max intensity, which is unsustainable, while only burning 120 calories for 30 minutes. I have been at a healthy weight for a long time, so I must be doing something right, but not according to the hr monitor! Do you have any thoughts on this Jessica?
Jessica, thanks so much for your opinions on the trackers. A couple of times I've been online to buy one and then changed my mind after I read so many negative reviews. I ultimately decided that I don't need one. After exercising so long I know what my heart rate is and where it should be and I know how many steps I should take. I think many people just need to turn OFF the electronic devices and listen to their bodies. I agree when you say the electronic devices just put more pressure on people to lose weight, watch calories or whatever. Tune in to yourself and NOT electronic devices.
Very very informative! Thanks for sharing
I made myself crazy logging all my food and exercise. It started to become so stressful I decided to stop. That being said, I used my tracker to monitor my steps. It helps me to stay in motion more than when I don't use it. I deleted the app from my phone and just check the numbers on the fitbit every once in a while. It encourages me to get up from my desk at work and take a walk downstairs to get water or stretch. It really is about what works for you.
I just wanted to say that I WAS big girl with very little energy. I WAS always in pain so when i would come home from work i would barely want to move and i just want to say…I did little to no exercise. However, I got a FIT BIT FLEX and i know that it is sometimes inaccurate. I got it in August this year 2014. I didnt know if i would use it or not to be honest, but the sales ppl were pushy and talked me right into it and it has been one purchase i havent regretted At that time i weighed 285 lbs and using it as a tool with a goal of 10000 steps per day (counting everything) My dr told me that i needed to lose or die… SO when i got the fit bit i was determined to move, no matter what i did i was going to move and get those steps, I did however start off obsessing as you talked about i was also using myfitnesspal app putting everything that i ate into it and i was seeing that since i wasn't moving and what i was eating was SOO MANY calories… The reality i saw from just entering in my food for calories was unbelievable… Once i saw that that app linked with my flex it was on… SO long story short in 3 weeks i lost 16 lbs then in 30 days i lost 20 now it has been about 55 days and i am at 23.5 lbs. SO by having it and knowing what the doc said i have used these two tools (obsessions and all) and i have begun to feel better and have more energy and want to move more cause i know that i have to and i know that when i do i will feel better.. I was quite silly to think that "IF I WOULD JUST FEEL BETTER I COULD EXERCISE" Which is what lots of people just like me think, BUT the reality is 'IF I WOULD JUST EXERCISE I WOULD FEEL BETTER" the fit bit has been motivation for me. to reach the goals when if i didnt have it i may have never started… I may not continue to use it, i dont know but right now it is my security and it has helped me so that before when i would get off work i would just come home and drop cause i was in so much pain BUT NOW sometimes i can work all day (get about 12000 steps) at work then go for a 2 mile walk after all because i feel better… now i am looking for workouts to do which is how I found this.. I didnt realize how much better i would feel if i just moved… and the tracker has helped me… Thank you for listening to my rambling..
Hello Jessica! I love all your videos and I do a lot of your workouts at the gym. I do have a question not related to this video but maybe one you could make in the future. It seems as though there are a lot of opinions how a woman should be working out at the gym. Light weights tons of reps, heavy weight low reps. Don't do that machine because you'll look like a man. I don't know what to do. There are no other woman at my gym in the weight room, they are all on the treadmills and bikes. Seeing that makes me think maybe I don't belong in the weight room? I would love to hear from you and get some advice as well as help me boost my confidence in the gym knowing what I should and shouldn't be doing. Thank you! <3
I have the FitBit One and I love it. It motivates me to move more. I don't get my 10,000 steps every day, but I don't stress over that either. I don't count calories. I like the fact that it monitors my sleep habits too, so I know how much sleep I am getting a night. I wear it all the time other than when I have to charge it and I charge it in the car while I am driving, so I'm not missing any steps.
Very valid points that I had not previously thought of.
MAKES TOTAL SENSE. We need to stop being so screen, electronically obsessed and tune in to ourselves, our environment and the people IN our lives. 30 minutes of working out on YouTube with you, not counted. haha! Then go out and ENJOY your life! 🙂
Thank you so much for answering my question! I just now found this video (very busy with family, work and online collage this past year!). I got a FitBit One for Christmas last year. At first, I tracked my sleep (you have to do this manually with this one). Then the novelty wore off and I only use it for steps now. Most days I hit my 10,000 or more, but about 2-3 days I don't. I also had a watch-type heart rate monitor, but it died and I haven't replaced it yet (I was heartbroken at first!). I've learned to use all the fitness technology as tools, not dictators or judges (things like the scale, trackers, and tracking sites like SparkPeople). I'm still learning to listen to my body and plan to get better at it everyday! Thank you so much for focusing on this question, and I hope others found it helpful!
Well said!! Great video.
a wise woman.
Thanks your opinion is really helpful.