(04-09-2015 01:21 PM)gdunn Wrote:  I have a FitBit. It helps me keep track of how much I do at work more or less.. On days I'm dog tired, I'll hit it and see I've hit 4 miles and know that well damn I did some walking, stair climbing, etc.

ODU Oldtimer, you're right.. It didn't happen over night and changing everything drastically overnight will derail. Start small. Figure out things in your diet you can cut out. Usually I start with my meals.. I eat 'x' number of meals at home and 'x' number of meals out a week.. Well let's reduce the meals out.. Then change the type of meals, instead of hitting Taco Bell twice a week, start with Subway or something healthy.. Then when you get that under control, look at the meals you eat at home and slowly change them for the better.. Always remember you should eat 21 meals a week (3 meals a day, 7 days a week).. Eat 20 awesome healthy meals, and let one be a cheat meal.. But don't let it turn into a cheat day, week, month.. After you get your meals under control work on your snacking habits. I find Cliffbars to be an excellent alternative to candy bars and they're better for you. Same with Larabars and Kind Bars.. Fruit can be more hurtful than helpful due to the sugars in it.. If you're concerned with sugars, research the fruits and find the ones with the amount of sugar you want in a serving.

Gdunn, great advice, however I have jumped into this "feet first" and have mentally prepared myself for what I need to do to lose approximately 45 pounds. (I am 6 feet tall, ummm.... anyway, I need to get down to 165 or 170 pounds). I would love to reach this goal by the end of October (30 weeks).

I am in a little bit of a different situation than a few others. One of my doctors is twisting my arm and holding me hostage for a medical upgrade to make everyday activities much easier for me to achieve and enjoy. Everyone here has their reason(s) to lose weight and may have different motivations. My ultimate goal is just like everyone else. I am hoping to improve my quality of life and feel better with a bonus "kicker" from my Doctor when I reach my goal. I am looking forward to the emotional positives and the physical rewards.

Lucy, I went to Wal-Mart before I read your new post today. The Wal-Mart I went to did not have the Fitbit, but they did have a few other brands. I was very confused as to what they do and don't do and there were NO SALES people that understood what they did as well. After I got home and read your suggestion I have decided to go to Costco and check out the one you mentioned.

All this is new to me, so thanks for the help.

I appreciate everyone’s suggestions. At this time in my life I need and embrace any and all the emotional support I can get to help me on this journey.

Oldtimer

If you have a Kohl's, they should have the Fitbits.

I use a Polar Wearlink+ with Bluetooth, but there are a few newer models out there. I like the modern chest strap models as they are far more comfortable now than a decade+ ago, and once I have it on and start exercising, you basically can forget it's there. It's not perfect, but it more than gets the job done for what I use it for. Many of the newer models interface with your phone, which I prefer to the watch-interfacing versions. The batteries last a decent amount and you can get them cheap on Amazon. If you go with a chest-strap, make sure you get one that allows you to replace the battery on your own, which most do.

I use the iCardio app to track my exercise with the HRM; it is free, but there is a small fee (I think it was $3-$5) to activate the heart rate monitor interface. The app is not as feature-rich as some of the more popular fitness apps, but it has just the features I like to use. If you want to go the FitBit route, if you get the FitBit Charge HR or the FitBit Surge, they actually have active heart-rate monitoring built in and doesn't require a chest-strap unit. Many purists will claim that you cannot as accurate of a reading from a wrist-mounted HRM as you can with a chest-mounted unit, but some of the reviews I've read have been fairly favorable as to the Charge HR's accuracy. If you really like the FitBit features, that may be the better choice for you since the FitBit Charge HR's heart-rate monitoring is probably more than sufficient for casual exercisers.

Where exactly is the thread tracking results???? Any help?
Or have I been eliminated?

Never mind