Some Fitbit Force users reporting a rash on the wrist

This was originally published by FitnessTechMD.com by @DrJosephKim

The Fitbit Force is newest wearable activity tracker that Fitbit released last fall. Similar to the Fitbit Flex, the Force is worn on the wrist and it includes a digital display that shows the time, your steps, distance, calories burned, and more.

Gadgets like the Fitbit Force were very popular over the Christmas holiday as people made weight loss goals for 2014.

Some Fitbit Force users have been reporting a rash on their wrist. The rash is thought to be contact dermatitis due to nickel, so if you have a nickel allergy, you may want to avoid the Fitbit Force.

How do you know if you have a nickel allergy? Have you ever noticed a rash where some metal on clothes (like a button) has caused a rash on your skin? Some people report a rash on their waist from their pants button. Other people develop rashes when wearing certain types of metal jewelry.

The Fitbit Flex (which lacks the metal component and the display) hasn't caused any contact dermatitis rashes from metal because there is no metal that touches the skin.

If you're experiencing a rash from your Fitbit Force, contact Fitbit.

Back on the Fitbit

I've pulled my old Fitbit Classic out and I've decided to start using it again. I did some running and walking today and I logged over 18,000 steps today! I also ate a lot of ice cream.

This summer, I'm going to use my Fitbit regularly. I'll also test other devices alongside it to see how they compare. I'm excited to see what Apple, Samsung, and others may have coming. An Apple watch that also tracks my physical activity would be a fun gadget to wear. A watch that also measures my heart rate when I go running?

Fitbit has come out with so many different activity trackers over the years. Believe it or not, I'm still on the Fitbit Classic. Join me on the Fitbit revolution and let's stay healthy together!

Jawbone Acquires BodyMedia

I have a BodyMedia arm band. I also have an original Fitbit, along with several traditional pedometers. I don't have a Jawbone Up or a Nike + FuelBand, but those items are on my Amazon wishlist and I'm waiting for the 2nd or 3rd generation devices before I make a purchase. 

Jawbone is making a serious move into the Quantified Self (QS) movement of self-tracking gadgets and they are acquiring BodyMedia for over $100 million.  BodyMedia has had more than 80 patents issued, so it's a valuable company because of its technology and its people.

Do you wear a fitness gadget or use a fitness tracking app? If you do, then stay tuned because a host of new gadgets like the  Misfit Wearables SHINE and many other new gadgets will be coming in 2013. 

Did you get (or give) a self-tracking gadget this holiday season?

This year, many shoppers have been looking for that perfect gadget for Christmas. Did you happen to get (or give) a self-tracking device this holiday season? Maybe it was a Fitbit, a Nike+ FuelBand, a BodyMedia FIT, or a Jawbone UP?

These are the perfect gadgets for people who need to lose weight or who want to stay fit. Of course, there are a number of new self-tracking gadgets that are "coming soon." On the top of my list: Misfit Shine.  So, whether you want to lose weight or

Misfit Wearables announcing the Misfit Shine

We recently heard that Jawbone released a new version of their UP wristband that contains better hardware and software. Their first attempt with the UP ended up becoming a major product recall last year due to failing hardware.

Now a new company called Misfit Wearables has released a brand new product called the Misfit Shine. Unlike other self-tracking devices, the Misfit Shine is waterproof (use it while swimming), it syncs with your iPhone when your device is in airplane mode (with all wireless antennas off), and its all-metal construction is unique and novel.

I walked 24,712 steps in one day here at #HIMSS12

I'm here at the HIMSS 2012 conference and I'm wearing a fitbit to measure to many steps I'm walking. Today, I walked 24,712 steps! No running, no jogging, just walking. You can view my fitbit stats here. If you're also wearing a fitbit, you can join the HIMSS group on fitbit here.


HIMSS12 coverage is sponsored by HP. HP’s extensive portfolio of products, solutions, services and relationships can help your healthcare organization achieve quality business practices and provide quality patient care.

My first day (and night) using the Fitbit (Quantified Self) tracker

Yesterday, I used the Fitbit tracker to track my daily activity. I started wearing it after I got to Baltimore and it recorded 1500 steps from 6 pm to 11 pm. I got my Fitbit at the e-Patient Connections 2011 thanks to the fact that Klick Pharma handed these out to all the attendees.

I also used the Fitbit when I was sleeping and I found that I had 84% sleep efficiency (based on my level of movement/activity during sleep). The Fitbit recorded 23 times awakened during my sleep. This is my first time using the Fitbit during my sleep, so I'll have to see if this trend continues. Furthermore, I don't have any scientific data regarding the accuracy, reliability, and relevance of this type of sleep information that is collected by an accelerometer-based device worn on the wrist. Maybe I need to get a sleep study and compare those findings with the data I'm collecting using the Fitbit. Next week, I hope to use the Zeo Personal Sleep Coach to see how I'm sleeping.

I'm wearing the Fitbit today while I attend the AMA Task Force conference (22nd Annual Conference of the National Task Force on CME Provider/Industry Collaboration). How many steps will I walk today?

I got a Fitbit tracker here at e-Patient Connections 2011 and I'm entering the QS movement #ePatCon

I'm officially jumping into the Quantified Self (QS) movement with a Fitbit tracker. I want to thank Klick Pharma for handing these out to all the attendees here at e-Patient Connections 2011. KlickPharma is a full-service digital marketing solutions company that specializes in the pharmaceutical space. Attendees here collectively have walked over 70 miles! Klick donated $1,000 to the Society of Participatory Medicine and Sarah Krüg walked up to the stage to pick up the check.

The Fitbit is my first QS device and I'll be using others over the next few weeks, so stay tuned. The Fitbit Tracker shows your real-time activity stats so you know how close you are to your goals. It's with you every step of the day, motivating you to make small changes that add up to big results.

I'm heading to Baltimore to attend the Annual Conference of the National Task Force on CME Provider/Industry Collaboration and I'll be wearing my Fitbit while I'm there.