*** UPDATE:  After about 1 month of use ***

Although, I still LOVE the ‘idea’ of the UP (and other lifestyle monitoring gadgets), I’ve found that these devices are really more trouble (and cost) than I’m willing to deal with.  So far, I’ve lost the end cap to the device — and it’s pretty much sitting up in my closet shelf.  Not using the end cap — leaves the 1.8″mm connector exposed— and ends up snagging on everything. —- Hopefully Jawbone will update the device with a better design.   The “SOCIAL”  aspects of this device/app also needs ALOT of improvement.

I like the design/usability of the Jawbone UP — over the FitBit — however, I would say your smartest option is to hold onto your $$$.   I am still a HUGE sucker for tech/fitness devices, though.   So, I’m sure I’ll be doing more product reviews soon — so be on the lookout for more posts.

Verdict:  Hold onto your $99!  Spend your money on new shoes, gym membership, — or an iPhone app like RunKeeper, LoseIt, etc.  A yearly RunkeeperPro account MIGHT just be more beneficial to you than a $99 gadget.

So far, I’m really liking the new pedometer/fitness tracker from Jawbone.   The Jawbone UP:  http://www.jawbone.com/up  Unlike the FitBit, this device is water-resistant up to 1M! — It attaches to your wrist; so, you probably will be less likely to run it through your laundry wash.

JawboneUP

Your activity data is sync’d via the iPhone — by plugging into the headphone jack.  Once sync’d with your phone, your data is stored on the Jawbone servers.

Here are the main features:

Track your Activities:  Allows you to track your steps taken per day (pedometer) — including workouts, etc.  However, I think it’s more accurate just counting steps.  If you are using this device for cycling, etc — your results may be less accurate.

Track your sleep patterns:  I think this is one of the features that I like the most!  Here, the device will track your sleep patterns — including deep sleep, light sleep, and awake time.  It also has a cool feature that allows you to be woken up when you are not in deep sleep.  This allows you to be woken up at the best possible time — making you feel less sleepy after waking.  It vibrates on your wrist and intelligently wakes you up at the ideal moment in your natural sleep cycle just before your desired wake time.

Track your meals:  This is the feature that I like the least – however it can be fun.  Unlike LoseIT, DailyBurn, and other calorie tracking apps, — this only allows you to track what you’ve eaten via photos.  NO CALORIC/NUTRITIONAL DATA.   However, this feature will allow you to track how you feel AFTER you’ve eaten:  Energized, Stuffed, etc.  – I think in time this feature will improve.

One thing that this device lacks is “social” — There is no-way to have this device update Twitter OR Facebook, currently.  You can “friend” other UP users — and keep up with their stats.  However, each person MUST mutually accept the friend request; there is no way to ‘follow’ another UP user.   Also, there is no web-based portal for you to manage — all social activities are done IN-APP.  The FitBit does allow your daily stats to be published out to Twitter/Facebook.  I’m thinking that in the future this feature will be added.

There is also no integration with other devices or applications.  I’d love to see UP integrated with the Withings Scale, Runkeeper, Lose-It, etc… I think, in time, these will be added.

So… Should you spend the $99 on this device?  YES… It does a great job at what it was built for—- and being water resistant is a HUGE plus!  If you are interested, you can purchase online — or from your local Best Buy, Radio Shack, Target, Apple Retail Store or AT&T.  I would recommend purchasing from AT&T — because of their 1-year in-store warranty!

JawboneUP

Hope this helps
Will

I have mixed thoughts on the FitBit Tracker.  This is my review of the FitBit — after having one for about a month.  Here is some background information on the FitBit:  http://www.fitbit.com

Via Wikipedia:  ”The Fitbit Tracker uses a three-dimensional accelerometer, similar to that in the Wii Remote, to sense user movement. Like many pedeometers, the Tracker measures steps taken, distance walked, calories burned, and activity duration and intensity. It uses an OLED display to display this and other information such as the battery level. It also measures sleep quality: how long it takes the wearer to fall asleep, how often they wake up over the course of the night, and for how long they are actually asleep.”

FitBit Tracker

The device retails for about $100 dollars US — which is a bit expensive for a pedometer/sleep tracker — even if it pushes your data to the company’s website.  I would spend the $100 on a personal trainer OR other applications/services like Runkeeper, DailyBurn, etc.

The main problem I’ve found with the Fitbit is it’s size—- WHICH is GOOD AND BAD…

GOOD = It is VERY small and lite… You won’t even know you are wearing it.
BAD = It is VERY small and lite… You WILL forget about it—and put it through the wash!  I DID.  $50 for a replacement unit.

Once washed— FORGET IT… If you are lucky, the device will start working again after a few days—- However, in my case, the battery’s life was significantly decreased, making it a pain in the ass to keep charged.

With that said, I DO believe that it’s a pretty cool device.  It totally works as advertised — and if you are a gadget lover; you’ll like it.  —- however, worth $100?  IMHO, I just don’t think so.

Here are some better suggestions about other Tech/Health devices to spend your $$$ on:

Withings Internet Enabled Scale:   http://www.withings.com/en/bodyscale – $159 – I have one, LOVE IT!
RunKeeper Elite:  https://runkeeper.com/elite – $20 per year
IRONMAN Road Trainer Heart Rate Monitor - http://tinyurl.com/3gqfup6 – $100 – I have one, LOVE IT.
IRONMAN GPS Global Trainer w/HRMonitor - http://www.timex.com/dp/B003P65RVI – $360 – I want one!
Membership at your local YMCA – http://www.ymca.net/ – $50-100 per month.  WELL WORTH IT!

Hope this helps,
-Will

Well Folks,

I’m gonna have to really put the peddle to the medal — and get back serious on my weight loss.  I was/am kind of in a plateau; however, I’ve actually been going in the WRONG direction.  Gained about 20LBS since April.  THIS IS NOT GOOD.  Right now, I’m weighing in around 290LBS…. I WAS AT 270LBS.  The plan was to be under 250LBS by the end of the summer. —- My goal is to be at or under 200LBS.

So, here is my plan:

1. Re-read “The Four Hour Body, by Tim Ferris”  — Follow that diet plan TO THE “T”
2. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday will be weight training days…. lifting weights and some lite cardio/swimming.  Maybe Cycling with Mid City EZ Riders on Wednesday evenings.
3. Tuesday and Thursday will be cardio days— with Tuesday afternoon at 6:00pm Happy’s 5K run.  #RunLA
4. Saturday Mornings = 40 Miles of Cycling — I’ll be posting routes on http://runkeeper.com/user/wsellers/profile
5. Sunday’s = Off day— or a free day to do any type of exercise I want.

I know 20LBS isn’t “that” big of a deal—- hell, when I was really training hard— I was losing 15LBS per week— So, I think I’ll be able to get back on track fairly fast.  BUT, I HAVE to get back into my 38″‘s jeans ASAP… I’m back in my 40″‘s….

Just remembering how life was when I was in my 58″ inch waist pants is DEFINITELY keeping me motivated… I DO NOT want to get back to that weight, EVER!   Also, I will be making a conscious effort to blog here more…. promise!

SO, Biotches, GAME ON!

-Will

Another eMail… I NEVER get tired of getting emails like these:

————————————————————————

From: Doug Murray
Date: June 10, 2011 2:23:37 PM CDT
To: wsellers
Subject: Greetings!

Hi Will:

I’ve been following you on Twitter for a while — after Tim Ferriss re-tweeted you a while back.  Today I took a look at your blog:  Bravo!

I too have struggled with girthiness.  The short story:  I went from 365 to about 200 when I was in my early 20s.  But college and beer did me in, and before I knew it, I was north of 300 pounds again.  Then I moved to Canada’s east coast and fell in with a bunch of mountain bikers.  Without dieting at all, I dropped to 180 pounds and rode across Spain and Portugal.  Who woulda thought — the fat kid could ride like that?

Over time, my lifestyle changed significantly.  I moved to Vancouver and slowed down.  I blame age.  The pounds started to creep back, but I was able to slow the process.

In 2007 I moved to Ghana, West Africa for a year (to work as a journalism trainer).  Did I ever pork up!  Blame super fattening (palm nut oil) and super carby (pasta, cassava, potatoes) food.  Worse, it was hot — so I didn’t really exercise much.  And beer was the most refreshing thing you could drink.  Not surprisingly, I packed it on.

Between 2008 and now, I’ve traveled a lot.  I moved to Guatemala for a year, then back to Canada, then back to Guatemala, and back to Canada — where I am now.

I’ve rented a house in Nova Scotia through November.  I work from home, so I can be anywhere.  Since leaving Guatemala (late April) I’ve been trying to follow the 4-Hour diet.  When I finally moved into the house, I was able to weigh myself:  272.  Crap.  So I’ve adopted a much stricter 4-Hour diet, bought a bike (although I have hip pain) and started using the treadmill here (cause it rains A LOT here).  In three weeks I’m down about 5 pounds… and at the head end of big weight loss #3.  Hopefully it’s the last time.

The best thing about all the yo-yoing I’ve done is that my personality didn’t switch back to the old me.  Before I lost the weight the first time, I was shy and I’m sure I was agoraphobic.  After I lost the weight, I was a whole new person.  Outgoing, approachable, etc.  At least that hasn’t changed — it was the best part.

Well, that and suddenly being interesting to girls!
Anyway, love the before/after pix.  Love the stories.  Keep ‘em coming.  And maybe, if I can stick to it, I’ll have some of my own to share.

Cheers,

Doug
Pugwash, NS Canada

–
Doug Murray
sounds+images+words

WEB – Borderfilms.com
TWITTER – @borderfilms
Contributor to: Toronto Star, South China Morning Post, Philadelphia Inquirer,

Chicago Tribune, Baltic Times, Malaysia Star, Irish Examiner, (Vancouver) Georgia Straight,
National Geographic, CBC Radio, San Jose Mercury News, CTV News, CBC News, Oakland Tribune,
Contra Costa Times, Western Mail (Wales), NewsRadio Ireland, Word Magazine, National Post, Lonely Planet,
Yukon News, Gibraltar Panorama, Helsinki Times, T-Mobile USA, Gadling, etc

Books (Photography): Weird Washington, Media Discourse and the Yugoslav Conflicts
Author: Tropical Depression – Doomsday in Paradise (due 2012)
More about.me!

I Love getting emails like this!  <See below> — Maybe I WILL get on the lecture circuit.

Will

——————————————————————————————————

From: G H
Date: May 30, 2011 11:50:19 AM CDT
To: wsellers@gmail.com
Subject: Met you today at Starbucks

I trust this is the right email address for the cyclist I met today….I enjoyed the chat this morning and am glad to see more cyclist in this area …. as you know, Baton Rouge is not as bike friendly an area as I would like it to be, but with more people gaining interest in the sport, perhaps in time the drivers will become more thoughtful.

Your weight loss story is truly amazing…..some day I expect you to be on the lecture circuit helping others….if you have an interest, read about Mike Huckaby’s story on that issue…when he was governor of Arkansas, it took a doctor friend of his actually taking him thru the diabetes ward at a hospital to convince him to change his life style…..good luck in that effort.

All the best,

GH
——————————————————————————————————

Here is my list for the first few weeks of the slow-carb diet… All of these ingredients can be found at your local Whole Foods Market…. Or any grocery store… Try to get grass-fed beef if possible.

Thanks,
Will

BREAKFAST FOODS
—————————-
Flax Seed Oil (Small amount on spinach)
No sugar/salt added salsa (over the egg whites)
Egg whites
Frozen chopped spinach
Black beans (canned is fine… I hate soaking beans)

LUNCH/DINNER FOODS
——————————–
Lentils (canned is fine… I hate soaking beans)
Black beans
Chicken breasts
Chopped mixed vegetables
Grass fed organic beef
Canned tuna

MISC
——-
Balsamic vinegar
Macadamia Oil (for using on chicken or beef)
Walden Farms Salad Dressings (0 cals/carbs)
Almond Butter (good for if you MUST snack. 1 Tablespoon no more)

Wines
——–
Pinot Noir
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot

Here’s my vide from my appearance on Cali Lewis’ GeekBeat.TV… This was recorded at Austin’s South-By-Southwest Conference.

Thanks to Cali for taking time to talk to me — and record this video!  Losing weight has been SO good for me.  And, I appreciate EACH AND EVERY ONE who has encouraged me!   Definitely keeps me motivated.

If anyone would like to talk to me about weight loss or fitness, PLEASE leave a comment — OR — just give me a call at 225-341-2727 or via Skype @wsellers. I am seriously committed to helping anyone who is struggling with weight loss or fitness… Believe me, I’ve been there!

Cheers,
Will

FYI – Just a photo progess update. Lost over 205 pounds so far… Another 80-90 more pounds to go… And just about down to a 38″ waist…when I started I was a 58″!!!

Thanks Everyone for your encouragement and support!  I still have a ways to go still…… but, I’m in the home stretch!   Getting ready for my first 100 Mile cycling race this spring!

Thanks,

William

Me on 10-27-2009

Me on 02-24-2009

Me on 04-21-2009

Me on 02/21/2011

*** Update:  I’m now in a size 40″ waist ***  -wsellers 01/26/2011

Well everyone,

Still losing weight… So far, I’m down to a size 42″ waist (I used to be a size 58″!!!) — and they’re a little loose!  My long-term goal is to get down to a size 32″-34  - and around 190-215LBS.  I’m still working hard to get the rest of my weight off.

However, I’m not really that happy with the Ideal Protein diet.  I’ve been hearing more and more negative things about Soy-based isolates.  However, it DOES help getting the pounds off.

I’m still learning about proper nutrition, diet, etc.  Please keep an eye on my Withings.com (web-based scale) widget on the right sidebar.

Here’s a new photo!  FEELING GREAT!  Taken at my FAVORITE Starbucks Coffee House in Baton Rouge… I typically cycle to this Starbucks from my home… Around 16-18 miles round trip.  Here is a link to my route:  http://runkeeper.com/user/wsellers/route/194060

Cheers,
Will (http://about.me/wsellers)

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