a hearty gang - our fitbit group - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

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a hearty gang - our fitbit group

laura_dropstitch profile image
laura_dropstitchHeart Star
18 Replies

Hello. Just in case anyone got a Fitbit from Santa or has made a step-related resolution this January, here's a wee reminder that we have our very own Fitbit group. If you have a wonky heart (in any way) and a Fitbit, you can join us at this link - fitbit.com/group/22SDB9

There's a massive variety in how many steps we all manage, so please do join if you think it would motivate or amuse you, no matter how many or how few steps you are doing. (I notice I'm much further down the table than usual at the moment, so I will await your taunts!) We are a friendly and informal group, you can interact (cheer/taunt/message) as much as you like, or not at all - whatever works for you.

I was thinking it would be really good if we could use our group to raise funds for the BHF with some sort of year-long challenge for 2018, especially if it had the added benefit of being something that would motivate us all to walk more. I'm thinking a collective step/distance target might work well, given that we all have different health restrictions to work within. As a group, we've done nearly a quarter of a million steps so far in January, so we could have a very mighty step count by the end of the year... Please leave a comment if you have any ideas about how we could make a motivational fundraiser work. My brain is not allowing me to get beyond what I've said above.

Happy stepping and all the best for 2018, everyone :)

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laura_dropstitch profile image
laura_dropstitch
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18 Replies
Syrus_BHF profile image
Syrus_BHF

Hi Laura,

Happy New Year! I just wanted to introduce myself, I'm the Digital Health Project Manager at the British Heart Foundation looking after HealthUnlocked Community and other related services. I love your initiative in creating a fitbit group, I have already joined it and look forward to maybe expanding your idea wider across the BHF in the future.

Sincerely,

Syrus

laura_dropstitch profile image
laura_dropstitchHeart Star in reply to Syrus_BHF

Thanks, Syrus, would be great if the BHF could do something with the idea! I definitely feel like there's some potential we haven't quite tapped into yet...just not sure what!

Syrus_BHF profile image
Syrus_BHF in reply to laura_dropstitch

My pleasure Laura, 2018 is going to be a big year for the BHF, just watch this space :)

WeezeMcCheese profile image
WeezeMcCheese

I would love to get involved in this but I'm officially part of the Garmin crew!

I love the idea of running 1000 miles this year, I have 3 half marathons and a full marathon lined up so I guess it it possible? It means running an average of 19.2 miles a week which seems like a lot at the moment but I'm sure it won't seem as far fetched as I get deep into the training.

Good luck Fitbitters, hope you all hit your goals!

laura_dropstitch profile image
laura_dropstitchHeart Star in reply to WeezeMcCheese

That sounds like a tough but achievable challenge...I think? Good luck and keep us all posted with your progress! X

mandm65 profile image
mandm65 in reply to WeezeMcCheese

Hello WeezeMcCheese,

Glad to meet another marathon runner here, i would not mind running 1000 miles this year, provided the doc does not have any objection :-). I do use Garmin for all my runs so happy to clock the mileage and report.

WeezeMcCheese profile image
WeezeMcCheese in reply to mandm65

Just read your biography; sounds like you've had some serious setbacks with the running! Do you remain optimistic about being able to do a marathon this year? I haven't added anyone on Garmin Connect yet but if you'd like to be Garmin buddies, you can find me on there. I'll try and send you a private message on here...

Shandypants profile image
Shandypants

Fitbit ordered seeing as Santa didn’t get my hint.

laura_dropstitch profile image
laura_dropstitchHeart Star in reply to Shandypants

He's a busy man, needs a bit of help sometimes :)

KazSumm profile image
KazSumm in reply to laura_dropstitch

Hi Laura Happy New Year

Santa did bring me a Fitbit but I’m having a few problems, some days it won’t sync, registers me as being asleep when I’m not and I’m having to reboot it every day. So I’m giving it a few more days then I’ll take it back. So when I’m finally up and running will join your Fitbit group.hope your keeping well. Kaz❤️💕💖

laura_dropstitch profile image
laura_dropstitchHeart Star in reply to KazSumm

I know my dad had some problems with his Fitbit and managed to get it replaced with no issues. Hopefully you'll be up and running (walking!) soon. Let me know if you have any ideas for the group 😊

PS Happy new year to you too! 🎉

Pikaia profile image
Pikaia

Hi laura_dropstitch , thanks for setting the group up. It certainly spurred me on to do a few more steps. Have you been able to make any progress with respect to fundraising ideas? It would be great if we could set a target for number of steps or distance over a few months in the summer (so giving us time to raise awareness and funds).

Pete

laura_dropstitch profile image
laura_dropstitchHeart Star in reply to Pikaia

Hi Pete, sorry, just noticed this comment and my lack of response! I don't think fundraising ideas are my strength, I've never got any further than a collective effort to achieve a certain number of steps as a group. As for how you'd use this to raise money, I do not know. I'm always too embarrassed to ask people for sponsorship, but maybe others are not? I feel like there's a good opportunity in there somewhere, but I don't think I'm the person to set it up. Happy to help if you (or someone else) would like to take charge of it, though?

PeterJemmett profile image
PeterJemmett

Hi Laura, I've just joined the group and a little embarrassed to go straight to the top spot for April! ..... I managed 4,000,000 steps in my first year (on my pedometer) since my heart assessment back at the end of Jan 2017 in my drive to improve my fitness and lose some weight (to reduce the risk of further heart problems) and looking to increase that this year, so far I am averaging some 13,500-14,000 steps a week

laura_dropstitch profile image
laura_dropstitchHeart Star in reply to PeterJemmett

Awesome! We'll all enjoy trying to catch you, I'm sure :)

PeterJemmett profile image
PeterJemmett in reply to PeterJemmett

I did 4,000,000 in my first year, with 3 months now gone in my second year I'm currently on 1,240,083 steps (on my pedometer rather than Fitbit) so should be on course for at least 5,000,000 this year!

I just joined. My knee limits my steps more than my heart so recently decided to make my goal as beating yesterdays steps. So far nearing 5,000 a day which is much better than the 2,000 average I was hitting last fall.

laura_dropstitch profile image
laura_dropstitchHeart Star in reply to

That's a great idea for a goal! Good luck :)

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