BodyBugg Review

[GearGirl]

So I bought a BodyBugg, I've had it for a little over a week now. I really didn't want to buy it because I think the price is pretty ridiculous and I don't exactly have extra money burning a hole in my pocket right now, but I finally decided it would help me so I went for it.

I don't think it is perfect, but I DO think it is a good tool for me. You wear it on the back of your left arm, and it measures calories burned, steps taken, minutes of moderate activity, and you can track calories eaten online. It says it is 90% accurate, and I have no idea about calories burned but for steps it is really accurate. I'm not logging my food except in my head, but I'm pretty into watching my calories burned. I've set goals of 10,000 steps walked each day, 3 hours of moderate activity (so when I am basically moving about it counts, this isn't full on exercise, although that is counted in those minutes as well), and I want to burn at least 2,550 calories a day. So when I reach one of those goals my little watch display beeps and tells me, and I can scroll through and see where I'm at whenever I want. I pretty much leave it on calories and it keeps me moving to hit my goals. So for instance I own a store and if I sit at the register I'm burning very little but when I'm moving around organizing and putting things out I see a jump, so it reminds me to keep moving.

I don't do the online food program, eve though it is probably very good. I don't want to count calories, and I eat a bunch of whole food raw stuff and it seems much harder to input that sort of thing, so I just follow it in my head. The calories are important to me though because seeing what I burn makes me more conscious of what I eat. I hope this helps me lose weight.

I did have one issue, and the customer service was great, even though I don't really like 24 Hour Fitness. I think if more companies adopt the technology the price should go down, it really isn't worth the price, but I am so fed up with having about 30 - 40 pounds to lose that if it helps (and I think it is) it's worth it. Hope this review helps someone!

[mommajb]

Thank you for the review. I've been talking to my mom about her getting one and any bit of info helps.

[Eaglevoice]

I have one, too. I got it in January and I've been pretty good about wearing it consistently. I do track my food on the website, because it helps me hold myself accountable. So far I have lost 15 pounds. I love wearing it to my zumba class...it always amazes me how many calories I burn in that class (usually around 750 calories and I take about 6000 steps in that one hour!)! One cool thing that I've found is that you can put it around your calf and it works the same. I put mine at the top of my calf, a few inches below my knee. I do this when I want to hide it because I'm dressing up in a nice top, or when I am riding my bike, because it doesn't consistently count my steps on the bike when it's on my arm. Also, sometimes I'll put it on my calf when I go to the grocery store, because it won't count the steps as well when you are pushing the cart (or a stroller for that matter). I like how it helps you keep track of your weight loss goals and when you input your weight in at the end of the week it tracks it with a line graph, which I like, I'm visual like that and I like to see the progress I've made. I didn't get the digital display, so I have to plug mine into the computer to see where I stand, calorie-wise. I think I will fork over the money for the display, though, because like you said, it would be nice to see the difference in burn when getting up and doing something simple, like organizing, etc. I could see how that would be an even bigger motivator to get you off your booty.

[bronxmom]

I have a question for you guys: if you go to one of those websites that lets you calculate your caloric needs for your weight, age and height, does it come up with a similar number to what you get on your bodybugg for the day? I really, really want one but I also feel like it'd be a big expense for something I should basically be able to figure out through trial and error. I'd love to wear one for like a week or something to get a basic feel but it's so much money I have a hard time justifying it.

[GearGirl]

I think you can get the information elsewhere, and you can definitely come pretty close by estimating. For me though, especially with the watch where I can scroll through where I'm at all day, it keeps me moving. I was pretty below my desired totals the day before yesterday, so when I got home I took a strenuous hike with the dog instead of a little walk. It was cool to keep myself accountable! I also think knowing how active I am all day just to burn about 2,700 calories a day (and that's me being active) pretty much puts the idea that I can often eat big meals and desserts to rest .

Wow, that Zumba must be amazing! I have one near me I might try one day!