Kicking LE's butt!! Exercise & Self Care Log

Fitbit tells me that I walked 5.01 miles today, and I'd say about 30 minutes of that was at a nice, cardio clip.  But my arm aches like heck, so I think there's a weather change brewing.  Nice to have my personal weather station, but I'd gladly trade it in for a simple weather radio!

Tomorrow is a cross-country flight day, so I'l be airport walking and babying my arm. 

Thirty minutes on elliptical yesterday.  Trying for more today. 

Guygirl, there are several models with different bells and whistles, ranging from as low as about $40 to around $100.  Mine is the 'fitbit one' and it's very easy to use--just clip it to your beltloop, shoe, bra...whatever.  It comes with a little thing-y that you stick into a computer's USB port, and download a little program (if you want to use that part--not required). The program lets you keep a running record of your activity; the fitbit transmits information to the computer via bluetooth whenever you're near the computer.  With an iPhone, you can do the same kind of thing with a phone app.  The program lets you set a calorie-deficit goal that's useful if you want to go to the trouble of logging in your food, and want to lose weight. You tell it what you ate and it knows how much you're moving and tells you when to stop eating if you want calories out to exceed calories in by say, 500 calories.  

All the models do these things, but not all have the same kind of display on the fitbit itself.  I really like mine, because it keeps me honest about how much activity I'm doing. It seems to be most accurate at simple walking or running, and in my case, it counts paddle lifts when I attach it to my kayak paddle.

There are other brands of similar activity monitors.  I think if you google fitbit, or look it up on Amazon, you'll find lots of choices.

Hugz, the only calibration is to estimate the length of your stride.  So you pick a known distance --say, 20 meters--and count your steps as you walk.  I think it's the same for any kind of pedometer.  I do find that the fitbit is no more accurate than a standard pedometer for activities such as Leslie Sansone walk at home dvds.  If you put knee lifts or kicks into a routine, that means the beats-per-minute dvd estimate of 'distance' walked will count a knee lift as a step, but fitbit does not--you've held the knee up in the air for a beat instead of returning your foot to the ground, which is a good cardio effort, but not technically a step that any pedometer can catch.  

The fitbit is electronic, and I read somewhere that it uses the same technology as a WII, to capture motion.  It communicates to my computer using bluetooth, but I haven't a clue how much if any radio wave activity is going on as I wear it.  I think it's miniscule, but some folks may know more or just be more sensitive about that.

When we walked, I didn't check starting and ending distance, so I have no way to know how long our walk was.  I know we walked a long distance, and then DH and I walked a few more miles when we got to our destination.  What I do know for sure is that you walk FAST!  You had me working hard to keep up!  It was at least 3.5 mph.

I am home now, but I was working in Los Angeles Monday until Thursday.  Got in lots of steps, because I purposely put myself in a hotel that was far from the building I needed to work in.

Fitbit needs me to get moving now...

Carol, thx for all the info.Yes I was worried about electromagnetic fields radiation. I feel I already get enough using my cordless phone/wireless tech and now they want smartmeters installed at our house for hydro purposes. I wasn't sure If the fitbit would add to that.  Yikes I can just see my cancer prone cells rebelling.

Glad to know I was going at a decent clip. Sometimes I think I am only a moderate walker. All that quick gab off probably kept my footsteps in  quick rhythm! Too funny!

Did you do you extra walking at Buchart?

Yes to the gardens on Vancouver Island...spectacular!!  You're the one who gave us the suggestion to visit, and I'm so glad you did!

It is a picture perfect day here in Ohio...temp started in the 40's and will top out in the 60's, beautiful bright blue skies, and 10.5 miles covered in Team in Training practice this morning. Yeah, God! Only 5 more Saturday practices until the half marathon 

Binney4- No diagnosis for lymphedema as yet. Have to wait for repeat chest CT - not until Oct 2 (soonest )so will wait and see Thanks for the link, it will help me get right on it-if, when.

Ok that note to myself worked. Got in a 45 min walk with pup. Our fastest walk yet! Still practicing heeling on the leash so I don't get to pump both arms when I walk:(

Bonus points: didn't need to crawl into rain gear.



Wow, Laural and Carol, you gals are eating up the pavement! Woo hoo!

Glad you got out there Hugz!  I was so indecisive today.  I did do 45 minutes of weights.  Then an hour on treadmill.  since then I have done six five minute spurts on the elliptical.  A good day.

I agree, weeknights I feel great if I do a total of an hour between dif stuff

guess I am  goof off

Nothing like spending an entire day at a large VA hospital to get steps in. I got over 10,000 steps, but with a little unintentional cheating. On the train home, the Fitbit kept counting while I was sitting. Wierd.

Just got in a 40 min walk with pup and I am more dogged out than her. Hitting the sheets early. Put in a big order with brightlife. Can't wait to get new sleeves and gloves/gauntlet.

Typing on phone so this will be short. I am traveling so lots of airport steps-just over 9000 yesterday and same today. More airports tomorrow!

Fantastic girls!  Too muggy again. I am taking pup out for 20 min strolls today so not much exercise but will hop onto my sis treadmill later. Yes I promise I will!