I have actually had quite a few people message me and ask me what a GW Fit is and how does it work.  Well, I figured I would explain what it is and bring in some sources from Bodymedia.  This company makes three different versions of the same device.  The first is a BodyBugg, which most of you have seen on Biggest Loser.  The second is SenseWear, which is used mostly in clinical studies and hospitals.  Lastly, there is the GW Fit.

There was a chart that explained the differences, but it no longer exists on BodyMedia site, so I can’t confirm the differences, but the reason I chose the GW Fit was because it monitored my sleep and it was cheaper. You can get it here. I chose not to get the watch as it was an increased cost and I didn’t think it would be that helpful.

Bottom line, the device monitors my activity and calculates my burned calories, steps taken, exercise intensity, and sleep efficiency. I wear it all the time except when in water.  I have found it to be extremely helpful in understanding when I am active, how active I am, and when I should increase my activity.  The science behind this is posted below and comes from the BodyMedia site.

Your BodyMedia® FIT Armband has multiple sensors. Those innovative sensors take 5 different “views” of your life:

Motion The Armband contains an accelerometer, a device that measures motion. (Your car air bag has an accelerometer in it that lets it know when you’ve been in an accident.) We use it to measure HOW you move from multiple axis and perspectives, allowing us to better understand your activity.
Steps We count your steps, using the accelerometer to measure the distinct patterns created by walking and/or running.
Galvanic Skin Response When you sweat, your skin becomes more electrically conductive. This measurement help us see how active you are.
Skin Temperature There’s an electronic thermometer inside your armband that helps us know how hot you are.
Heat Flux When you move, your muscles produce heat. We measure the heat that’s flowing from your body into the environment.

So that is a quick explanation of how the device works.  It uploads to the BodyMedia site and you can keep your eye on your level of activity.  It has a daily meal logging function and a nutritional assessment that you can run.  This assessment takes three days of meals and assesses the quality of your meals.

So this is a big technical thing, but I think it has been extremely helpful in understanding my activity.  Of course, there will be some error.  The BodyMedia site states that the device has an error percentage of less than 10%.  To some, that is too high, but I don’t mind it.

Well after all that discussion, below is my GW Fit Data for today.