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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Deneb on October 10, 2012, at 20:17:13
Hey,
I just got my Striiv Smart Pedometer! It shipped quickly!
Here are the reviews for it on Amazon.com
Anyone already have one? I haven't used mine yet for the first time. I just got it out of the box and it's charging now, but I understand that there's a huge social component to the games on it.
Anyone want to join me in those social walking challenges?
I'm so excited about it!
At first I thought about getting the Fitbit
but then I saw that althought it was more accurate and showed more data, it was lacking in the part I need most from a smart pedometer, being a motivator.
Apparently the Striiv shines in that regard. The games and challenges on it are very addictive and you walk to earn energy points that you can donate to buy fresh water and other things to poor children in impoverished countries. I think that part will be a huge motivator.
I don't really care that it's not as accurate as the Fitbit because I really just need to get walking more period. I don't need to know exactly how many steps I took.
So....anyone wanna join me? :P
Posted by sleepygirl2 on October 11, 2012, at 8:37:56
In reply to Striiv Smart Pedometer: Join Me!, posted by Deneb on October 10, 2012, at 20:17:13
Is this a cult?
Are you trying to indoctrinate us into the ways of the high exalted pedometer master?
Is there any mention of kool aid?
Do you have to cut off contact from family and friends to become one of the chosen?;-)
Just kidding, Deneb. I'm tired today.
Posted by sleepygirl2 on October 11, 2012, at 8:39:30
In reply to Striiv Smart Pedometer: Join Me!, posted by Deneb on October 10, 2012, at 20:17:13
It sounds pretty cool.
Thanks, Deneb
Posted by Deneb on October 11, 2012, at 10:20:45
In reply to Re: Striiv Smart Pedometer: Join Me! » Deneb, posted by sleepygirl2 on October 11, 2012, at 8:39:30
I used my Striiv for a few hours last night and I love it!
It motivated me to walk up and down the stairs for about 5 mins and also walk around the house for 20 mins. Pretty good considering I would have normally been sitting that whole time!
The games are fun and it gives me little mini challenges throughout the day. I need the immediate gratification so this works for me. You're rewarded whenever you meet a challenge. They're mostly things like, "I challenge you to walk another 200 steps in the next 10 mins" sort of thing after you've just finished walking. You get bonus energy points for completing them.
I'm walking to my 2nd bus today. The weather is nice. Hopefully that will rack up the energy points!
Posted by Dinah on October 12, 2012, at 7:53:21
In reply to Re: Striiv Smart Pedometer: Join Me! » sleepygirl2, posted by Deneb on October 11, 2012, at 10:20:45
> They're mostly things like, "I challenge you to walk another 200 steps in the next 10 mins" sort of thing after you've just finished walking. You get bonus energy points for completing them.
I guess humans get motivated by different things. If a machine made that cheerful suggestion, I'd be more likely to sit down even if I was *planning* to walk. With a few pithy but unrepeatable comments about machines and "positive motivation".
On the other hand, I'm walking at an incline for an hour three times a week. I'm gradually increasing the incline so I can go on vacation and walk without scaring my family that I'll collapse. But they all have the sense not to use positive motivation with me.
However, everyone's wired differently - and from the popularity of pep rallies, I'm thinking I'm in the minority. I'm definitely not trying to be Debbie Downer for your own more positive response. :)
P.S. One unexpected benefit from exercise that the doctors don't seem to be able to explain to me is that my hips feel better, not worse. I had been starting to get some pain in my hips at night, but am not getting it now unless circumstances cause me to miss a few days. One unexpected downside is that I haven't lost any weight, and may in fact have gained it. And no, it's not muscle. So overall I have to recommend exercise, even if it does disrupt my time planning entirely.
Posted by sleepygirl2 on October 12, 2012, at 8:38:20
In reply to Re: Striiv Smart Pedometer: Join Me!, posted by Dinah on October 12, 2012, at 7:53:21
A long, long, time ago, in a different dimension, I was using this little program that tracked my running progress. It was my iPod, and it communicated with this little plastic thingy I had in my Nike sneaker. I'd run, and it'd keep track of how much, and then lance Armstrong or someone would tell me what a good job I'd done, and how I'd done more or something. I know it sounds weird, but it was nice. I had these little visuals about my progress. The thing stopped working after a while though...annoying.
Posted by phillipa on October 12, 2012, at 10:09:38
In reply to Re: Striiv Smart Pedometer: Join Me!, posted by Dinah on October 12, 2012, at 7:53:21
Dinah I'd venture to say that the hip could be related to early onset arthritis and staying mobile reduces the pain. As for muscle. There has to be some more. Why are you not giving yourself credit for the positive effects? It just seems that you are not doing it for you as you stated your family and walking? Phillipa
Posted by Deneb on October 12, 2012, at 21:20:39
In reply to Re: Striiv Smart Pedometer: Join Me!, posted by Dinah on October 12, 2012, at 7:53:21
> > They're mostly things like, "I challenge you to walk another 200 steps in the next 10 mins" sort of thing after you've just finished walking. You get bonus energy points for completing them.
>
> I guess humans get motivated by different things. If a machine made that cheerful suggestion, I'd be more likely to sit down even if I was *planning* to walk. With a few pithy but unrepeatable comments about machines and "positive motivation".Well to be fair, there aren't any smilie faces blaring at you lol. Althought there is cheering. LOL. I just like earning coins to build my land up. LOL
>
> On the other hand, I'm walking at an incline for an hour three times a week. I'm gradually increasing the incline so I can go on vacation and walk without scaring my family that I'll collapse. But they all have the sense not to use positive motivation with me.
>Yay to go! It seems like you've been doing that for a long time now. It's impressive that you're sticking to it. I find it easy to do bursts of activity, but hard to sustain it at an even level all the time. It would be must more effective for me to do a lower level of activity everyday. It turns out I burn way more calories that way.
> However, everyone's wired differently - and from the popularity of pep rallies, I'm thinking I'm in the minority. I'm definitely not trying to be Debbie Downer for your own more positive response. :)
>
>
> P.S. One unexpected benefit from exercise that the doctors don't seem to be able to explain to me is that my hips feel better, not worse. I had been starting to get some pain in my hips at night, but am not getting it now unless circumstances cause me to miss a few days. One unexpected downside is that I haven't lost any weight, and may in fact have gained it. And no, it's not muscle. So overall I have to recommend exercise, even if it does disrupt my time planning entirely.I find the paradoxical weight gain with increased exercise too. I'm hoping it's muscle gain. LOL I wouldn't dismiss it not being muscle. Even just increased density of muscle will lead to weight gain. You might have the same amount of fat, but I'm sure with the extra walking you've gained some muscle. I mean, the walking is easier now right? That must mean your body has changed. I find it hard to decrease my eating at the same time as increasing my exercise. I just get super ravenous when I do that.
Right now I've decided to work on one thing at a time. I haven't had much luck with dieting in the past. I mean, I would be great at it for like 3 months and lose a lot of weight, but then I just slowly gain it back again.
I'm just going to concentrate on increasing my base activity level permanently then slowly working on just replacing the unhealthy food with healthier food, not concentrating on calories at all.
I think this will be a much better long term solution for losing weight.
I'm much more reasonable now. I know diets just don't work for me.
Well, today was another day with my Striiv and I did just as well as yesterday! I managed to get 4K steps in just pacing around the house lol. I got a ton of stairs in by accepting challenge after challenge and walking up and down the stairs. It was a pretty good workout!
I'm really happy with my Striiv.
Posted by Dinah on October 13, 2012, at 20:48:53
In reply to Re: Striiv Smart Pedometer: Join Me! » Dinah, posted by sleepygirl2 on October 12, 2012, at 8:38:20
Which part quit working? Could you uninstall and reinstall?
I do think I lie on the outside of the range of normal reactions to "encouragement". To me encouragement means "I know this s*cks big time, but c'mon and give it a try. I'll do it with you and we'll both hate it."
Posted by Dinah on October 13, 2012, at 20:50:17
In reply to Re: Striiv Smart Pedometer: Join Me! » Dinah, posted by phillipa on October 12, 2012, at 10:09:38
Does it really help? My doctor gave me the same skeptical look he gives me when I tell him my glucose monitor runs consistently high (before he had to acknowledge that it did based on test results).
Posted by Dinah on October 13, 2012, at 20:54:20
In reply to Re: Striiv Smart Pedometer: Join Me!, posted by Deneb on October 12, 2012, at 21:20:39
Cheering?!!! (shudder)
Well, I'm glad it's working for *you*.
It has been a while. I've been fairly consistent since the beginning of July. My husband was pretty skeptical when I suggested it, but he's pleased with how seldom we miss days.
It was that uphill climb on our vacation to the mountains. I was afraid they'd have to call out the rescue helicopter. We're planning a trip to someplace just as steep if not steeper. I told my husband to put a picture of it on a string and dangle it in front of me. It'll be interesting to see if my resolution flags after our vacation. Because it really is disrupting both my work and the very few fun things I do outside the home.
Posted by phillipa on October 14, 2012, at 19:23:44
In reply to Re: Striiv Smart Pedometer: Join Me! » phillipa, posted by Dinah on October 13, 2012, at 20:50:17
Well the neurosurgeon sent me to PT with my back and hip and leg and excercises were devised for me to do to reduce pain post excercise. They work for me. Phillipa
Posted by Deneb on October 14, 2012, at 19:39:31
In reply to Re: Striiv Smart Pedometer: Join Me! » Deneb, posted by Dinah on October 13, 2012, at 20:54:20
> Cheering?!!! (shudder)
>
> Well, I'm glad it's working for *you*.
>
> It has been a while. I've been fairly consistent since the beginning of July. My husband was pretty skeptical when I suggested it, but he's pleased with how seldom we miss days.
>
> It was that uphill climb on our vacation to the mountains. I was afraid they'd have to call out the rescue helicopter. We're planning a trip to someplace just as steep if not steeper. I told my husband to put a picture of it on a string and dangle it in front of me. It'll be interesting to see if my resolution flags after our vacation. Because it really is disrupting both my work and the very few fun things I do outside the home.Wow, that's 3.5 months! That's really good! They say it takes a couple of months or so to form a new habit and it looks like you've done that.
I think climbs up mountains are especially hard because of the thin air. I've booked with a tour company to visit the Grand Canyon in Dec. and there is about a 2 mile hike once we get there. They warn people that it's harded to hike in the thin air so unfit people shouldn't attempt it.
What fun things do you like to do outside the home? Maybe you can come up with fun things that involve activity. Walking on a treadmill for an hour can get boring. Do you watch TV, listen to music or surf on you iPhone/iPod while walking?
I'm still going strong with my Striiv. I didn't get a chance to walk outside today because it rained the whole day and I didn't want to walk in the rain. Instead I was actually able to get in my 10,000 steps today just by pacing back and forth inside the house for a few mins at a time.
I also beat my stairs record with 976 stairs climbed today. I had about 800 previously.
I'm so glad I bought it! The games are addicting and fun. The challenges push me to do more and I get rewarded.
Posted by Dinah on October 14, 2012, at 19:46:30
In reply to Re: Striiv Smart Pedometer: Join Me!, posted by Deneb on October 14, 2012, at 19:39:31
You do remember New Orleans don't you? For the majority of the year, the only thing I do outside is try to make it from the car to the house without dripping sweat. :)
That sounds like a fun vacation! Will you be going with anyone else? I've always vastly admired your willingness to travel by yourself. I did it myself once or twice when I was young, and enjoyed it a lot.
Posted by Deneb on October 15, 2012, at 22:10:29
In reply to Re: Striiv Smart Pedometer: Join Me! » Deneb, posted by Dinah on October 14, 2012, at 19:46:30
> You do remember New Orleans don't you? For the majority of the year, the only thing I do outside is try to make it from the car to the house without dripping sweat. :)
>
> That sounds like a fun vacation! Will you be going with anyone else? I've always vastly admired your willingness to travel by yourself. I did it myself once or twice when I was young, and enjoyed it a lot.Oh yeah, lol. I keep forgetting how insanely hot it is there. I wouldn't want to do any activites outside either.
I'm just going alone. I asked people to go with me, but everyone is either broke or too busy. At first I asked my Mom, but she refused and I think it might actually be a blessing lol. She can be really annoying. Sister too, she's much like my mom.
Being by myself, I'm free to do whatever I feel like at the time. I plan on seeing some shows and exploring the casinos on the strip. The Grand Canyon tour will be a whole day adventure of about 15 hours.
Vegas is fast approaching! I'm going on Dec. 17 and staying for a week.
It's so exciting!
Today was another successful day exercise-wise. Before work and after eating a big breakfast I walked up and down the stairs at the mall. Then after work I went to Walmart Supercenter and walked around the perimeter several times. That store is enormous!
By the time I got home, I had already walked my 10K steps for the day and had 1000 stairs climbed.
According to my stats, I've already walked the equivalent of a marathon since I've gotten my Striiv!
Pdoc will be so happy! I see her on Thurs.
Posted by Tabitha on October 17, 2012, at 14:07:45
In reply to Re: Striiv Smart Pedometer: Join Me!, posted by Deneb on October 15, 2012, at 22:10:29
Deneb you sound really happy lately. I hope you have a great trip to the Grand Canyon. I enjoyed your long hair picture a lot. It's grown so much since you started.
I am walking every day but without much of a gadget. I just time it on my iphone. I used a web site that measures your route and learned my usual route is about 1.5 miles. I am a pretty slow walker.
Posted by Deneb on October 18, 2012, at 1:33:40
In reply to Re: Striiv Smart Pedometer: Join Me! » Deneb, posted by Tabitha on October 17, 2012, at 14:07:45
> Deneb you sound really happy lately. I hope you have a great trip to the Grand Canyon. I enjoyed your long hair picture a lot. It's grown so much since you started.
>
> I am walking every day but without much of a gadget. I just time it on my iphone. I used a web site that measures your route and learned my usual route is about 1.5 miles. I am a pretty slow walker.I'm trying to see how long my hair can grow lol. I'm trying to figure out what my terminal length is.
Great that you're walking everyday! 1.5 miles every day adds up.
I wasn't able to meet my targets for exercise yesterday because I was too tired from not getting enough sleep, but today I did more.
In the morning I walked up and down some stairs then after work I walked around Walmart again.
I can't wait to get a day off to do more!
Posted by Dinah on October 18, 2012, at 7:29:20
In reply to Re: Striiv Smart Pedometer: Join Me!, posted by Deneb on October 15, 2012, at 22:10:29
You probably will have more fun on your own. I think it's terrific you're planning these trips, and wonderful that you've discovered how much you like to travel.
Posted by Deneb on October 21, 2012, at 22:11:07
In reply to Re: Striiv Smart Pedometer: Join Me! » Deneb, posted by Dinah on October 18, 2012, at 7:29:20
I've been taking 10K steps almost every day!
I also started playing this other game on it today. There are 3 characters I can race, Mr Waddles, Sir Bacon or the Walkatron. Mr Waddles is the slowest and Walkatron is the fastest.
I started out racing Mr Waddles for 2000 steps. I just walked the entire way. When I reached 2000 steps Mr Waddles only had 400 steps. I beat him with a large bonus for beating him so badly. LOL
Then I decided to race Sir Bacon. I actually ran a lot while racing him. When I reached 2000 steps, Sir Bacon had over 600 steps, so he's actually much faster than Mr Waddles, considering that I ran like half the time.
I'm really suprised that I could run! Before all this walking and stair climbing I would be huffing and puffing just running 2 mins. I think I'm actually seeing results! I'm becoming more fit!
This is awesome! Fun too!
Oh Dinah, did you get my Babblemail?
No rush to reply. Also no pressure at all. I think I will go no matter what.
How is your walking going?
Posted by Deneb on October 27, 2012, at 23:26:18
In reply to Re: Striiv Smart Pedometer: Join Me! » Dinah, posted by Deneb on October 21, 2012, at 22:11:07
I'm still going strong with my increased activity!
Here are my average stats for the 18 days that I've had my Striiv:
Average/Day
Steps: 8,903
Stairs up: 863
Miles: 3.7
Calories: 642
Mins: 131
Running: 139 steps (I don't like running much)
Energy points: 92,015Here are my personal bests!
Steps: 17,128
Stairs: 1,534
Miles: 6.8
Calories: 1,150
Mins: 248
Running: 1,165
Energy: 264,324Here are my all time totals:
Steps: 195,871
Stairs: 16,399
Miles: 79.4
Calories: 13,487
Mins: 2,883
Running: 1,539
Energy: 2,392,403My legs have always been fairly solid, though thick, but I think they are even more solid now.
I hope my belly goes away with all this exercise.
I think it will take a lot more time since I'm not decreasing what I eat yet.
This is the end of the thread.
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