Right before Christmas a sale popped up for the FitBit Flex (a fitness tracker) and even though I didn't "need" it, the FitBit would help me stay in shape. So of course I bought it. Over the last couple of months I have been making a conscience effort to make sure I am active. I love seeing how different activities affect my daily step count and, well, shooting a wedding sure does.
Fellow photographer Jon Lemon also bought a FitBit and we were both curious how many steps we would take at the next couple of weddings. I tend to be pretty sore after a full wedding and need some "metrics" to back up my laziness the next day. Here are the last 3 weddings we shot and our step count.
I get an average of 7,000 - 8,000 steps in my normal day. So the second wedding with almost 20,000 steps (in dress shoes and dragging gear around) is above average for me. For that wedding we had a long walk from the hotel to the venue with the wedding party and I got on the dance floor a couple of times. This was by far one of the craziest weddings we have shot. Here is the blog post from it. The photo below is myself getting on the dance floor with the Fstoppers Flash Disc.
Here is a snapshot of my dashboard from the second wedding I shot.
I really like how the FitBit gives you a view of how active you are, it really puts it into perspective. No fitness device is dead on perfect but after testing the FitBit a couple of times on a track it is close enough for me. When I went home (Dallas, TX) for Christmas I was shocked how fewer steps I took, around 4,000 less a day. Being able to drive everywhere, unlike NYC, really cuts down on the exercise. After a quick trip to the mall I was able to get in my average steps for the day, and enough people watching for the week. The FitBit also tracks how well you sleep by monitoring your movement. You can find out what times you woke up in the middle of the night to eat those cookies.
Here is a link to my profile on FitBit, feel free to check it out and friend me.
Did you also look at the Fitbit Force, Jerrit? I'm comparing the 2, along with the Jawbone UP, can't decide which of the 3 to get.
I bought the force and my fiancee has taken it from me. I like both of them a lot, I am going to stick with the flex for now but the force is coming out with call notifications soon. That seems to be a big plus.
Ahh, I didn't know that, good heads up! Also, at least that situation gives you the chance to say to your fiance "May the force be with you." Haha.
Oh I rub it in her face all the time, I am unsure when they will send the update for call notifications, they are behind with it.
Way to go, Jerrit.
And for any likeminded walkers, here's mine as well:
Sean S. and 2CTZ2V
Sean I might have to delete you if your step count is this high! Do you run everyday?
Jerrit... Zero running. Blew out my ACL way back so it's all, old fashioned foot steps. :)
Time to fall asleep - 0min.
Rumors that Jerrit might be a robot - Confirmed.
What is de modelname of that Casio watch?
Yeah! http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000GAYQU4?cache=3792bc9aeef047b25f1ceef73...
The Fitbit is awesome! My wife and I have been wearing the jawbone Up bands and we're wedding cinematographers and its amazing on how we average at least 9000 steps for a small venue but are usually upwards of 12000 steps! Its an awesome way to track and its funs to challenge your spouse or second shooter to see who is sleeping better and taking more steps. These fitness trackers are awesome!
haha...