17 Replies to “Nike FuelBand – New Calorie Counting Gadget on Track for Competitive Runners?”
i’m a con supporter for these types of things relating to my life. for me it could turn into a trap and i could become crazed and fall back into some patterns that i had as a youngin. scary stuff that i don’t want to relive again so i stay away from things with numbers like scales and counters. but thats just me…
that’s my final stance, i’d say it’s way too easy for the competitive minded folks to let it get out of control…and isn’t that what most athletes are?? lol
I’m sure there are plenty of positive ways to use this – but I don’t need another thing to track or worry about. I tend to go obsessive over numbers anyway, and I definitely don’t want to start counting every calorie.
ooh this is a difficult one….you hit the nail on the head with the pros & cons and who it could work for! I’ve done the online calorie tracker thing – my dietician recommended a particular site that she says is pretty accurate…I trust her judgement, and it has me burning more calories than I thought I did just crosstraining….but I’m guessing the fuelband is a bit more accurate, since I’m assume its not just another database that you enter your stats into?
I think honestly I’d be curious to use it as I ramp up my training. I’ve been on the XT bandwagon for a long time, and before I got injured, I definitely wasn’t fueling right. So It’d be really beneficial for me to see how much I really do need when running at full volume. But on the other hand, I do have that ED background so….I probably wouldn’t get it, since my intent would be to only use it for a short period of time to get familiar with my needs – I definitely wouldn’t want to fall into that obsessive trap.
I also sometimes read Lauren Fleshman’s Q&A, and she had one about weight management for runners…to which she replied “There are going to be times when you’re gonna need to lose a few, and times when you’re gonna need to gain a few. And the goal is to do that with the least amount of thinking/stressing possible”. So if the FitBand = less thinking, great! But if it = more stressing….ehh not so great.
i’d be careful missy, curiosity did kill the cat…jk. naw, i think it’s more on a case by case basis, and there are other ways to figure the input vs. output thing out and balance in a more relaxed approach. i think it’s just so different for everyone
I’m on the fence about these types of things. The way our country is today, there are probably more people that could use it to improve their health than be put in a worse position. It seems like it’s not really marketed that way as much as say the bodybugg was and this looks like it would appeal more to athletes, which could be good or bad! I think it just comes down to people knowing more. A few years ago, I certainly wouldn’t have understand the whole calorie thing and maybe I wish I never did, but since I was introduced to it I’d rather understand it completely than just think I need to eat as little as possible and burn as much as possible.
I think that most of you are thinking of this as a negative thing – ED, and are not looking at the other, beneficial, side of it.
I see it as a “what fuels you” way to look at it. Meaning, that it doesn’t matter what type of activity you do, as long as you keep being active, and the armband will put those activities into a 1 unit counter. To me, this band is not about what I am eating and how I need to “refuel” after a workout, but rather setting goals, and achieving them. I don’t have the band, but here’s an example: if on an active day, I reach 6500 a day, and on a less active day 5500 on the Fuel band. Then, I would want to set goals to reach an extra few hundred, or use those as my minimum daily # to reach. This band is motivating and challenging everyone to live active lifestyles, set “fuel” goals, and achieve them. I have a general understanding and somewhat monitor my calorie intake, but to me, my physical activity is what is important.
By being able to add all of your physical activities into 1 unit, you are making it easier for anyone to put on the wristband and do whatever it takes to get the numbers up. This could mean doing an extra lap in the pool, or an extra 5 minutes on the treadmill, more chores, taking the stairs. It also enables people who are not normally that active, to be competitive with themselves, and friends, without having to run a marathon.
To me, this wristband is just encouraging everyone to keep moving, in any way they can, and enjoy it. Be competitive- with both yourself and your friends.
i’m a con supporter for these types of things relating to my life. for me it could turn into a trap and i could become crazed and fall back into some patterns that i had as a youngin. scary stuff that i don’t want to relive again so i stay away from things with numbers like scales and counters. but thats just me…
that’s my final stance, i’d say it’s way too easy for the competitive minded folks to let it get out of control…and isn’t that what most athletes are?? lol
I’m sure there are plenty of positive ways to use this – but I don’t need another thing to track or worry about. I tend to go obsessive over numbers anyway, and I definitely don’t want to start counting every calorie.
I completely agree here! I hated when I was trapped by the numbers
yup…be happy not obsessdo 😛
ditto!! oh, and KICK BUTT workout on the tread today missy!! 🙂
I think you get it, basically it could be a good tool for some people (at least temporarily), but could also be triggering for EDs.
i’d say it would really be best for the actually overweight/obese and try to give them a kick in the tush…then it could be really motivating
ooh this is a difficult one….you hit the nail on the head with the pros & cons and who it could work for! I’ve done the online calorie tracker thing – my dietician recommended a particular site that she says is pretty accurate…I trust her judgement, and it has me burning more calories than I thought I did just crosstraining….but I’m guessing the fuelband is a bit more accurate, since I’m assume its not just another database that you enter your stats into?
I think honestly I’d be curious to use it as I ramp up my training. I’ve been on the XT bandwagon for a long time, and before I got injured, I definitely wasn’t fueling right. So It’d be really beneficial for me to see how much I really do need when running at full volume. But on the other hand, I do have that ED background so….I probably wouldn’t get it, since my intent would be to only use it for a short period of time to get familiar with my needs – I definitely wouldn’t want to fall into that obsessive trap.
I also sometimes read Lauren Fleshman’s Q&A, and she had one about weight management for runners…to which she replied “There are going to be times when you’re gonna need to lose a few, and times when you’re gonna need to gain a few. And the goal is to do that with the least amount of thinking/stressing possible”. So if the FitBand = less thinking, great! But if it = more stressing….ehh not so great.
i’d be careful missy, curiosity did kill the cat…jk. naw, i think it’s more on a case by case basis, and there are other ways to figure the input vs. output thing out and balance in a more relaxed approach. i think it’s just so different for everyone
I’m on the fence about these types of things. The way our country is today, there are probably more people that could use it to improve their health than be put in a worse position. It seems like it’s not really marketed that way as much as say the bodybugg was and this looks like it would appeal more to athletes, which could be good or bad! I think it just comes down to people knowing more. A few years ago, I certainly wouldn’t have understand the whole calorie thing and maybe I wish I never did, but since I was introduced to it I’d rather understand it completely than just think I need to eat as little as possible and burn as much as possible.
ya, i think it’s better for the ‘masses’ and general public than the highly competitive athletes 😛
I think that most of you are thinking of this as a negative thing – ED, and are not looking at the other, beneficial, side of it.
I see it as a “what fuels you” way to look at it. Meaning, that it doesn’t matter what type of activity you do, as long as you keep being active, and the armband will put those activities into a 1 unit counter. To me, this band is not about what I am eating and how I need to “refuel” after a workout, but rather setting goals, and achieving them. I don’t have the band, but here’s an example: if on an active day, I reach 6500 a day, and on a less active day 5500 on the Fuel band. Then, I would want to set goals to reach an extra few hundred, or use those as my minimum daily # to reach. This band is motivating and challenging everyone to live active lifestyles, set “fuel” goals, and achieve them. I have a general understanding and somewhat monitor my calorie intake, but to me, my physical activity is what is important.
By being able to add all of your physical activities into 1 unit, you are making it easier for anyone to put on the wristband and do whatever it takes to get the numbers up. This could mean doing an extra lap in the pool, or an extra 5 minutes on the treadmill, more chores, taking the stairs. It also enables people who are not normally that active, to be competitive with themselves, and friends, without having to run a marathon.
To me, this wristband is just encouraging everyone to keep moving, in any way they can, and enjoy it. Be competitive- with both yourself and your friends.
It’s such an easy way to set goals and achieve them each and every day.
Thank you for your insights Colleen! I’m glad that you found the tool of use in keeping you motivated! Keep it up! 🙂
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