Glad for you @ohiopublic - wow what a challenging bike ride. I guess your treadmill test with cardiologist was not with the injection of imaging drugs (for myocardial perfusion imaging). For anyone that needs those imaging drugs with their testing, it will make you feel bad if you are in shape or not. I had those studies twice - once in 2011 and once in 2013; I was in much better cardiovascular and overall health shape in 2013 and was very surprised how bad the cardiac imaging drugs made me feel the second time (I thought the first time because I was recovering from years of cancer treatments and resulting inactivity and weight gain). I had been on a older chemo Adriamycin (second line drug to kill off any cancer not killed by first line drugs) which can cause cardiomyopathy, the radiation I had (which did catch some of my heart area), and also the Herceptin drug (there are her2 receptors in heart muscle, but needed the Herceptin to fight the cancer). I had to have cardiac evaluation that were nuclear studies (they called them MUGA scans - I had 5 in 2009-10) to verify I had enough cardiac output to be able to continue the full protocol of Herceptin - which I was able to; I believe Herceptin was instrumental in getting me cancer free. Still on oral medication to remain cancer free - it fatigues, but I cannot risk return of cancer, so small price to pay.
Looking over my cardiology reports gives the difference in health gain between the two years just with BP - 2011 R arm 158/94 and L arm 148/95. 2013 R arm 127/78 and L arm 130/80. I am even better now, although still battling down the BMI and weight. Slow, steady progress.
As if I had not been through enough of a ringer, had a second major surgery in 2013 to clear up the cause of my SOB and wheezing - I had reflux so bad that it was damaging my respiratory system, so I had hernia repair and fundiplication surgery (they wrap your stomach around itself, cutting a ‘window’ - make it ‘fatter’ so it doesn’t protrude through diaphragm). Successful surgery! GI guy wanted to continue trying various oral meds instead of surgery - but heck I met my copays and deductibles for the year and lined up a great surgical pair (surgeon always has a partner assist in this kind of surgery because surgeon can get in trouble quick - nick spleen or liver and they have to fight to stop blood loss).
Sending encouragement for anyone with medical setbacks. Continue the exercise and eating right.
So, I’ve been wanting some type of fitness wristband for awhile. I admit to loving techy stuff! Problem is, can’t ever decide and don’t want to spend too much cash. It’s not a necessity as much as D2’s tuition bills are.
Because of D2’s fall tuition bill and other charges I’ve accumulated quite a few LLBean bucks. I don’t really need any LL bean fitness wear right now so I thought that while I may be able to purchase a fitness wristband elsewhere for cheaper, “elsewhere” doesn’t have $130 of free whatever to offer me at the moment!
But, I still can’t decide on which to choose. These seem to be my options:
Garmin: Vivofit2 or Vivosmart. Could get the Forerunner 15 GPS Watch but it looks too bulky for everyday wear!
Fitbit: Charge, ChargeHR. Could consider the Surge but again, seems too large looking for everyday wear.
What I want this device to do:
Be something I wear all the time. If I have to take off in the shower, ok - plus if I don’t
Tell time.
Count steps/or other activity
Ideally track distance when running even if not fully accurate
Sync with a good program (I only use RunKeeper and my iPhone health app now)
Tell me to get up and move at work!!! (only Garmin???)
Sleep data ok, but not that important - I sleep fine.
Heart rate - being honest I’ve never tracked but probably something I SHOULD track
I know they can “do” other things - alarm settings, call notifications, etc. Maybe I would enjoy these - not sure having not had one before.
ANY and ALL advice appreciated. Also, share any “I hated this about mine”. TIA!!!
Paging folks who use compression sleeves etc.! For some reason, HIMom is reluctant to ask her question here, so I’m linking her thread for anyone who has experience and can chime in on the subject:
Walked to the gym and back (2 miles each way); at the gym, I worked with my trainer. It was a good session. I like that she focused on balance and core work. I’ve got a bad ankle, so the balance exercises are something I really need.
MOWC–not good news about your dog. It’s hard to lose a beloved pet. CB3–sorry for the sad news.
Abasket: I’m on my second activity tracker. I had the original Polar Loop and recently bought the Loop2. Despite the fact that you have to charge it every 6-7 days, I opted for this new one because it vibrates when it’s time to get up and move. Its the only one besides Garmin that does this.
Thanks Bromfield for that info. I know probably many of you all just use the Garmin watches rather than a “on all the time” activity tracker. Actually hoping that when time allows, MOWC will chip in her two cents - though I believe she is a vivofit fan - since I know she is a dual gadget woman!!!
abasket - I have the Fitbit Surge. It’s bulky and frankly, I think it’s kind of ugly. I was going to return it, but after wearing it a couple days, I fell too in love with its’ features to give it up. It’s my ugly baby. The best thing about Fitbit is their app and as MOWC alluded to, the social aspect is fun. The GPS works well for my runs. The heart rate data is interesting. I will confess that I still wear both the Fitbit and my Garmin Forerunner 620 when I run. The data from both are pretty close. Sometimes distance is off a little, but not significantly. I was surprised and how consistently the Fitbit Surge heartrate data from the wrist matches the data from the chest strap on the Garmin. I had expected the chest strap to be more accurate but they are generally showing the same.
If I were doing it again, I might go with the Charge HR. The heartrate data on the Charge HR is nice and it’s only slightly more expensive than the regular Charge. One of the things I totally love about the Surge, though, is that the watch has nice large numbers and I can easily read it without my glasses. I like having a watch!
ohiopublic-great job with the bike ride. Loved the comment about having Tourette’s on the hills. Congrats on the great report from the cardiologist.
SOSConcern-you sure have gone through a lot of health issues. I admire your positive attitude and determination to take charge of your health.
I did a 6.5 mile run this morning before coming into the office. I’ll leave here late afternoon to catch my flight home. This will be a difficult weekend, but I’m grateful to be able to get home for the funeral and so glad that both our kids are coming home for the weekend. I probably won’t get much exercise this weekend and will not be able to get my long run in this week. That’s life. (Or in this case, that’s death…)
Haha, I am a fellow introvert. With Fitbit, you can have Friends (fellow Fitbit users). Their step count (and any other data they decide to share) is visible to you. So you have a page on the app that shows the step count for all your friends - it can make for some friendly competition. And you get a weekly email telling where you ranked against all your friends. You can “cheer” or “taunt” your friends, or send them messages. It’s silly, but it’s kind of fun. I can tell what kind of week my kids are having by what their step count looks like!
I wear Garmin 220 to run but also wear the Charge to log steps. I do like it. I miss the red bar from Vivofit that told me I had been sitting too long, and you do have to charge Charge once s week or so. I like that it vibrates when you hit 10000 steps and some other goals. I, surprisingly, like that it vibrates and displays phone calls.
So sorry to those who have lost this week. Sorry for the loss of your dog MOWC and of the premature loss C3Baker.
My H has the Fitbit surge which he really likes, it is big though. He likes that it has gps and the other functions, plus the HR. He says it is very accurate, which as an engineer he’s into lol! The surge does beep every 10,000 steps. As far as I know it doesn’t tell him when he’s been inactive. The one negative is that it does have to be charged every couple of days but it has a lot of functions so it’s more like a smart watch than just an activity tracker.
I have a garmin running watch and I’m not feeling the need right now for a activity monitor but if I did it would have to have the HR monitor. I hate wearing a chest strap so a wrist one would be great.
I’m LEANING towards the Charge HR - just wish it had the inactive function!
Been a good fitness week. 3 runs and after noon class today, 2 spin classes - plus all the pup walks this week.
I was in charge of picking up donuts this morning for a co-worker’s b-day. Brought my egg and cottage cheese and blueberries to eat BEFORE I allow myself to indulge in a 1/2 white frosted persian.
Did my planned 50 minute run this morning. I went out about 7:30, and was already 80 degrees. I really wish I would have gone at least an hour earlier. But it’s done!
ohio, good work with the bike! Are there any triathlons in your future?
Nice run in the Poconos this morning. I stayed on paved roads. 50 degrees and low humidity. 5.1 done. Daughter is in the lake now doing a distance swim.
Does anyone have any compression arm or leg sleeves or socks that they recommend? My D is very deconditioned and petite. She has orthostatic intolerance, so her blood tends to pool in her feet and hands when she does much exertion. She’s only about 100 pounds and a bit over 5’–would appreciate any help. I started a separate thread. So far, we’ve purchased the Jobst opaque knee highs in beige, small/petite size, XS kids CompressionZ compression sleeve and a 3 calf compression sleeves from procompression.com. Thanks for any help. Her shins are 14," hence the petite in Jobst.
