Just got a Fitbit- friends?

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slv58
slv58 Member Posts: 1,216
edited February 2017 in Life After Breast Cancer

Hi everyone, in my effort to 'move beyond cancer' as best as possible I have decided to get more serious with my exercise. Since DX I have tried to be committed with walking as going through chemo two times has left me with sore joints. I just got a Fitbit charge 2 and am really enjoying it's motivating factor. Does anyone else have one who would like to be a 'friend'?

Shari

Comments

  • Angtee15
    Angtee15 Member Posts: 209
    edited January 2017

    Me!! I got one for Christmas and love it. PM me your email address and I will add you as a friend.

    Angie

  • slv58
    slv58 Member Posts: 1,216
    edited January 2017
  • solfeo
    solfeo Member Posts: 838
    edited January 2017

    My aunt who had breast cancer 8 years ago gave me a Fitbit in December of 2015. Walking has been her exercise program since her diagnosis and she is the healthiest person I know. I feel like I have found true physical fitness myself for the first time in my life. I get my 10k every day, and around 600 active minutes of moderate exercise every week.

    I was very overweight (have lost 150 lbs since DX) and sedentary. It was hard and it seemed impossible at first, but I worked my way up slowly. After about 7500 steps per day I started to feel so much better that I wanted to continue, and now I really miss it when I can't walk. I feel excellent in every way, physically and mentally, and as a bonus it reduces recurrence risk.

    I don't ever use the social features of Fitbit but we can stay in touch here.


  • Angtee15
    Angtee15 Member Posts: 209
    edited January 2017

    Sounds good Solfeo! Congrats on that amazing weightloss!

    I always loved walking and lived carless in Chicago for 17 years. Before my diagnosis I had moved to the suburbs (though a very walkable one) and my activity plummeted. I gained about 20 lbs in three years.

    I've made moving a big priority since recovering from my BMX and feel really good. I am starting to use the food tracking function on the Fitbit because I need to get a handle on that for sure!! I would love to lose 50-60 lbs. If I can get through cancer treatment you'd think I could put the fork down. Sheesh.

  • solfeo
    solfeo Member Posts: 838
    edited January 2017

    Thanks, I have 5 lbs. to go to my goal weight.

    Try Cron-O-Meter for the food tracking. It has a lot more features, including tracking micronutrients, and it will sync food and exercise with your FitBit automatically. There is a website and also apps for iPhone and Android. The basic version is free and includes plenty of features, but I have found it so useful I pay for the pro version.

    You can do it! If I could anyone can.

  • slv58
    slv58 Member Posts: 1,216
    edited January 2017

    Solfeo, that's an amazing accomplishment! I put on over 30 pounds with my last chemo in 2015. I've managed to loose 20 and keep it off, ideally I need to loose at least 25 more. I just started today to use the food tracking. Previously I used my fitness pal and was religious about documenting everything I ate. It does work but sometimes I just enjoy eating without tracking! I'm enjoying the reminder to move on the Fitbit, hopefully it's not a honeymoon phase! I had the Fitbit one and liked that but wanted the heart rate monitoring.

  • solfeo
    solfeo Member Posts: 838
    edited January 2017

    Exercising to physical fitness was my New Year's resolution for 2016. First time in my life I ever kept one to the end of the year and beyond. I have so much more energy I am committed for life.

  • Zaranth
    Zaranth Member Posts: 9
    edited January 2017

    I've had one for a while, and I really like it because I had no idea that I was getting so few steps in. I've always been an exercise nut, and do a variety of workouts, but I hate running, and I don't like to walk in the rain we get on the west coast. So, I researched rebounders (mini trampolines) and tried a couple of cheap ones then decided to buy an expensive one from Bellicon. The advantage to this one is that it doesn't have noisy springs, but bungee cords, so I can put it down in front of the television and walk or jog while I watch the news as it makes very little noise. Best investment I ever made! I use it every day, and the bouncing is supposed to help with keep the lymph system clear. It's a lot easier to get my 10,000 steps in, now.

  • slv58
    slv58 Member Posts: 1,216
    edited January 2017

    I love your enthusiasm!! Hope it rubs off on me although I am trying. How long did it take you to loose the weight? Although I would love to loose weight, I have my Fitbit set up for active minutes as a priority. Im aiming for 30 a day and figure anything more is a bonus. Do you walk every day or take some rest days

  • solfeo
    solfeo Member Posts: 838
    edited January 2017

    Another thing you can do indoors is a workout series called Walk Away the Pounds. It can be done in a very small area and your Fitbit will count the steps. That was actually how I started because I wasn't ready for the outside world yet. Now I will walk anywhere.

  • solfeo
    solfeo Member Posts: 838
    edited January 2017

    Top weight was 288. I had started losing weight before my diagnosis, very slowly, but I was still 270 lbs when I was diagnosed. I got 100% serious about the eating plan pretty much the following day. I knew outcomes were worse for obese women so breast cancer was a bit of a wake up call for me. I follow a modified ketogenic diet, which I have written about elsewhere on these boards. I also keep tight control on my blood sugar using a home glucose meter. I wasn't pre-diabetic before the diet but my numbers were high normal. I try not to eat anything that raises my blood sugar and I shoot for no change before and after meals. Got my A1C down to 4.9% with this approach, working toward 4.7. The lower the better for everyone, but especially if you have had cancer.

    I work at home and I have a very small house so I wouldn't get enough steps on a normal work day without really making an effort. My base routine is to walk around my neighborhood for 30 minutes after each meal, which also lowers blood sugar. That gets me close to 10k. Also when I am out running errands I always try to park as far away as possible; and while shopping I will walk all of the aisles whether I need anything or not, and around the perimeter of the store a few times. Costco is great for this - you can get several thousand steps in active mode between parking on the other side of their huge lot and cruising the store aisles as fast as you can. I take advantage of any chance to get more steps, like walking to nearby appointments that I would have driven to in the past.

  • slv58
    slv58 Member Posts: 1,216
    edited January 2017

    Thank you solfeo, your inspiring! I also try parking as far as I can when shopping, so easy to sneak in extra steps that way! I will incorporate some of your suggestions.

    Shari

  • solfeo
    solfeo Member Posts: 838
    edited January 2017

    My stats for the week below. No one is more surprised than I am that I am getting this much activity. I wouldn't have thought it possible a year and a half ago but it really does become somewhat addicting after a certain level, in a good way as long as you are not overdoing it. I also do strength training 3x/wk with resistance bands. Walking and strength training will keep your bones nice and strong. Add stretching to maintain flexibility and you have a full workout. I still can't touch my toes but I keep working toward them. At least I can see them now!

    image


  • crzyldyamy
    crzyldyamy Member Posts: 6
    edited February 2017

    I am trying to stay active to combat depression. I would love fitbit friends. My email is amwright1969@yahoo.com

  • slv58
    slv58 Member Posts: 1,216
    edited February 2017

    I just requested via Fitbit!

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