Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Mine is an early review of this product. I have been using FitBit for only 2 weeks Nevertheless I may still have something to offer to others considering buying one. Principle One: A month ago our son gave us the Aria computerized scale for Christmas, knowing Hubby and I were trying to get in better shape. Our son has one, plus a FitBit accessory and has lost 60 lbs with these tools, in a year. He has been highly motivated with these tools. So, since it worked so well for him, and we now had the fancy scale, I bought my own FitBit to go with it. I have been using the scale for a month and the two together for a couple of weeks, faithfully. Since Christmas, I have been losing 1.4 lbs a week with these tools. For my personality the FitBit and Aria are very motivating. I can see exactly what I still need to do every day. And I WANT to do it. It doesn't feel like drudgery. I don't have a gym membership. We have a two-story house, and a treadmill in the basement. But the treadmill alone has been pure drudgery up until now. It's one thing to 'know' I am supposed to walk 10,000 steps a day, it's another to be motivated to do it. I already had a pedometer, but it wasn't accurate and I never used it - wouldn't have, even if it were accurate. There is something about the FitBit that changes ME - changes how important it is, to me, to do what I need to do. I attach it to my bra, first thing in the morning (don't want to miss a single step) and find myself checking it several times a day. I rearrange how I do things so I can meet my goals. I find myself doing WHATEVER IT TAKES to meet them, even if it's bedtime and I think I'm too tired. I make sure I walk a flight of stairs, or two, during commercials when we watch TV. (It feels less painful to meet the goals in bits.) I now look for ways to grab a quick walk on the treadmill, or to the mailbox. A parking spot in the far corner at the store is no longer an irritation. I find myself saying , "Oh, yeah! I get steps!" We were at Costco last week. We had time, so I challenged myself to walk every aisle, looking at what was there, and find out how many steps it took. - I now "HAVE" to get the FitBit flower to grow. - I "HAVE" to climb the stairs so I get my atta-girls and awards. - I "HAVE" to get my 10,000 steps. If I only have 9.201 steps and it's time for bed, I can't rest until I reach my goal. After decades that included four pregnancies, the business of raising a family to the exclusion of exercise, working outside the home, a careless diet, and 25 years taking estrogen following loss of ovaries and uterus decades ago due to early cancer ... I finally looked at myself in the mirror was dismayed to discover I had gotten both older and fat. I gained 50 pounds in the past 10 years. It sneaks up on a person - 50 pounds in 10 years is only 5 lbs a year - less than 1/2 lb per month. A person doesn't even notice when it is added in ounces a month. FitBit helps turn the tide - and you begin losing weight. You WILL get in better shape, and healthier. You'll find that you get better in "bits", too. By also watching your diet, you'll lose ounces a day (instead of gain them by ounces a month). You exercise in small bits, too, and it doesn't feel so much like pure drudgery. I have tried dieting alone. In the past, I decided "I'm going to start exercising" but I never stay with it. But the FitBit and Aria scale keeps me focused, motivated, and on task. I notice a very real difference in my attitudes, my motivation, my desire and -- already -- my outcome. An additional plus to the FitBit One is the sleep tracker. It helps me try more to get a good night's sleep. There is a huge difference in me, the next day, when I sleep well. Hubby has severe sleep apnea, but has been very non-compliant about wearing his appliance. He's a very fitful sleeper. I knew that his fitfulness woke me often, but I didn't realize how VERY often. Now I 'have proof' about how his sleep affects me. He is more motivated and careful to wear his apnea appliance, so I sleep better. We both win! He'll live longer, we BOTH wake up feeling better, and it's good for everyone. I can also better identify when I do something that contributes to my own poor sleep habits. Science has proven poor sleep habits contribute to weight gain. Online help and syncing is great. The free apps to complement it are great. Would I recommend? Oh, yes! Many times over. Cons? I can't think of one, except that a lower cost would be welcome. I have justified the cost, though, by saying, "I'll pay one way - or the other. Either for the tools get healthy and lose weight, or the doctor bills and pills when I don't." One evaluator said he had problems with it counting steps he did not take. So far I have not identified this as a problem. I have counted steps and compared them, not noticing discrepancies here either. I will update when I have used it longer.