[Diabetes-Talk] re question on a good accessible ap for tracking exercises like walking on treadmill, bicycling and that sort of stuff
Sandi Ryan
sjryan2 at gmail.com
Thu Feb 16 04:08:02 UTC 2017
I don't think anyone issaying anything bad about anyone. My initial post
saying that trackers are not for everyone was not intended to disrespect
anyone who loves exercise and enjoys the trackers and feels they are
helpful. I'm one of those people now. I related my past experiences because,
as a dietitian, I got into the craze with everyone else of tracking my steps
with a pedometer. Until I crashed against the wal of realizing I didn't take
many, and I felt like a failure. Because I dealt with many others using
pedometers in my work, I knew I was not the only person who had this
experience. Several people I knew backed completely away from thinking about
diet and exercise. Imagine my dilemma: I know exercise can lenghthen my life
and make it healthier, but I'm not all that interested in or committed to
it.
And I happen to think Bern's comments have as much validity in this
conversation as yours or mine. Sometimes I wish I never had to think about
how I eat or whether I move again. It seems that, as a society, we're just
caught up in thinking constantly and in all situations about health, and
whether what we're doing at a given moment is contributing to our health or
undoing all the good we've done for weeks. The truth is that it's all about
balance, and each person has to find his or her best balance in thinking
about and acting on health-related activities.
Again, this isn't about people always agreeing or about disagreeing being
unfriendly or minimizing to others. I think Bern's point about her laundry
and other activities meaning she's quite active is valid. Activity counts
whether it's a triathlon (Bridgit, I really admire you and Ross--both last
year when you found out you were pregnant and went ahead with the triathlon,
and this year, committing to training with a brand-new baby!), or Bern's
trips up and down the stairs (not nearly as much fun, but lots of work and
activity!). We're all different. I will probably never be on a pump, but
accessibility of pumps, CGM's and other devices is an important issue to me
because accessibility may, for some, mean a longer, healthier life. I enjoy
reading the breakthroughs, the trials and tribulations, and doing what I can
to make this an important issue not only on this list but in the blindness
community and to those who manufacture the devices. And when I chose not to
wear a pedometer because it was a slave-driver rather than a helpful tool,
and then when I chose to buy an Apple Watch to help me improve my health, I
had different feelings about what was being said on this list and among my
friends. But here we help each other and we learn, and that doesn't mean we
always say only happy things.
I hope this helps.
Sandi
-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Jeanette Kutash via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2017 1:34 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: Jeanette Kutash
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] re question on a good accessible ap for
tracking exercises like walking on treadmill, bicycling and that sort of
stuff
No one is suggesting you do, and though you may not be as interested in more
formal kinds of exercise, other people are. I may not need to know about the
pumps, but the need is for some in the group. So let's all be patient and
tolerant, because you never know when a piece of information in an email may
later be helpful. I could do a whole diatribe on the kinds of things that
are informal exercise, such as your doing laundry, etc., and for some it is
important to understand that. But know that one of the things about being on
any list is that not all topics will always be important to all of us, so we
need to work together to make it work. When I can if I find someone's email
address I will address his/her question privately, but that may not always
be possible. No judgment here, just thoughts.
-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Bernadette Jacobs via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2017 12:56 PM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
Cc: Bernadette Jacobs
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] re question on a good accessible ap for
tracking exercises like walking on treadmill, bicycling and that sort of
stuff
Sandy, I want to thank you for your words of wisdom. You make a lot of sense
to me. Four, I am one of these people who does not live and breathe to
exercise. I get so offended and feel so tired of so many of these people
who, imply, whether or not they mean to, let those of us who don't live in
Paris to exercise, will someday burn and rot in hell. I get real tired of
that. I hate going to church picnics and gatherings and listen to people
talking about their diets. Why can't we all just go and have fun. Why can't
we all just go and talk about the fashions of the day, the weather, books
we've read, and all kinds of different things like that. There's there are
so many things to talk about and be well-rounded without having to worry
about everyone else's diet and how guilty they make the rest of us feel?
Please know that I'm not saying exercise is wrong. I think it's great. I
love swimming. But sometimes, when the constant thread is about exercise,
that really does offend people. It's not like the rest of us do nothing. I
do a lot of things. I may not have a treadmill to exercise on. But, I do
take walks. I play with my kids. I do anywhere from 15 to 20 loads of
laundry a week which actually involves going at least two flights of steps
going down and going back up. I think that's plenty of exercise holiday.
Don't you??? I don't work out of the gym. For those of you who do, great.
But no, the rest of us, truly I don't sit down and sit and lay around all
day long. We really don't
Sandy, once again. I want to thank you for your encouraging words.
Bern
Sent from my iPhone
> On Feb 15, 2017, at 11:59 AM, Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via
> Diabetes-Talk
<diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> Agree, especially about the food part. Personally, I'm not into
> tracking my food, other than noting carbs for my glucose records for
> doctor. As long as I'm eating healthy and sticking to smaller
> portions, I don't get caught up in tracking food.
>
> Bridgit
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Sandi Ryan via Diabetes-Talk
> Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2017 10:44 AM
> To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Sandi Ryan <sjryan2 at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] re question on a good accessible ap for
> tracking exercises like walking on treadmill, bicycling and that sort
> of stuff
>
> Trackers are wonderful for people who like and participate regularly
> in exercise. They can be motivating and also great for people who want
> to get going with exercise and build up gradually. They can also be
> discouraging and disappointing for some people. I was initially one of
> those. When I had a pedometer, I hated it. They count only steps, and
> I was horrified to find I took only about 3,000 per day! And that was
> on a good day! My husband, on the other hand, did 15,000 to 20,000 per
> day (his job involved standing and walking all day, and mine was a
> desk job). I pretty much consigned myself to dying younger and in ill
health.
>
> The Apple Watch has helped me change all that. I get a much more
> accurate picture of my activity, get credit for all my movement, not
> just steps, and can track various measures of activity, movement and
> exercise. Incidentally, movement is measured in calories, so that one
> learns how many calories have been burned through activity in a day,
> as
well as resting calories burned.
> Throughout the day I get encouragements and summaries of how I'm
> doing, while there's still time to work on it if the day has started
> out
slowly.
> These can be shut off if they aren't helpful.
>
> Whatever tracker you choose, make sure it's one that will be
> motivating, not discouraging, and commit to using it regularly. It's
> important to do the research up front, because most of the good ones
> require a fairly large outlay of money. In the meantime, though, you
> can get steps and a few other things from your iPhone if you carry it
> with you all the time. Check out the Health app on the phone.
>
> I practiced about 25 years as a dietitian, and I find the ability to
> track what you eat with these devices less helpful than their other
> features. It's possible, even a little fun for a while, but it can
> take significant time out of your day, during which you could be
> working to increase your activity instead. Some people really like
> tracking their food and nutrients. My best advice is that you eat
> reasonable portions of foods, mostly healthy, and that you eat when
> you're
hungry and stop when you're satisfied (not full).
> If you need snacks, keep them healthy, too. Then use your tracker for
> the things it's good at--tracking your activity, checking your heart
> rate, and motivating you to keep up the good work!
>
> Sandi
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-Talk
> Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2017 9:39 AM
> To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
> Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] re question on a good accessible ap for
> tracking exercises like walking on treadmill, bicycling and that sort
> of stuff
>
> I think devices like FitBits are great because they help you realize
> how much, or how little, you move in a day. Anyone wanting to stay fit
> and healthy can definitely benefit from something like this, whether a
> FitBit or something else. Even just knowing how many steps you take in
> a day can change your perspective on activity and how much you get of it.
>
> In my teens and early 20s, I ran and swam. In high school, I ran and
> swam competively. I've always exercised, hitting the gym or nearby
> running trail, but last summer, after almost 20 years of not doing
> anything competitive or intense, my husband and I decided to enter a
> triathlon. Even though I exercise several times a week, the training
> was intense. Swim was my strength, and running was my husband's
> strength. And I found out I was pregnant with my second child 2 weeks
> before the triathlon happened. It was quite the experience. We plan to
> do it again this year. We start training next month. I just had my
> second son 3 weeks ago, so perfect timing with training, smile. The
FitBits have been nice devices for our training.
>
> I continued to jog and swim during my pregnancy, although since the
> weather turned cold, I have not gone out and jogged. But I go to the
> local Y and swim laps. My friend has a device you can wear while
> swimming; wish it was accessible because it's a nice little device
> too. Similar to a FitBit but specific for swimming.
>
> Whether you run, walk, use exercise equipment or just like to get up
> and move throughout the day, it's nice to use a device or app to help
> you better understand just how much activity you're getting.
>
> Bridgit
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Jeanette Kutash via Diabetes-Talk
> Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2017 3:02 AM
> To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Jeanette Kutash <kutash-jm at comcast.net>
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] re question on a good accessible ap for
> tracking exercises like walking on treadmill, bicycling and that sort
> of stuff
>
>
> You're lucky. Still, I love mine and truly appreciate having it. I
> wonder if they made an improvement because I've had mine for almost
> two years. I'm not good enough to run, and at my age I have no desire,
> but I have improved my exercise ability tremendously since I got this.
>
> Jeanette
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-Talk
> Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2017 2:03 AM
> To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
> Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] re question on a good accessible ap for
> tracking exercises like walking on treadmill, bicycling and that sort
> of stuff
>
> My husband and I are both blind. We did have to ask someone what the
> code was, but once we had the code, we were able to set everything
> else up. We purchased ours within the last year; they are FitBit
> Charges. Personally, neither of us have experienced problems syncing
> the app to the FitBit, so can't speak to that. We do love the FitBits
> though, especially when training for triathlons. Handy little devices.
>
> Bridgit
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Jeanette Kutash via Diabetes-Talk
> Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2017 2:41 PM
> To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Jeanette Kutash <kutash-jm at comcast.net>
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] re question on a good accessible ap for
> tracking exercises like walking on treadmill, bicycling and that sort
> of stuff
>
> So Bridgit, which fitbit do you have, and is your husband blind or
sighted.
> If blind, I am curious just because I know I would love if need be to
> figure out a way to set my device independently. I like you have not
> seen issues with using it unless I forget to charge it.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jeanette
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-Talk
> Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2017 9:11 AM
> To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
> Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] re question on a good accessible ap for
> tracking exercises like walking on treadmill, bicycling and that sort
> of stuff
>
> The Apple watch sounds great. It's something we have considered. I
> will say that in a year of having a FitBit, neither Ross or I have had
> problems with it syncing to the app or not working. We have not had
> problems with the app either. The worse thing that has happened for us
> just when it dies and needs to be recharged, but any electronical
> device will need to be recharged. This is our experience but in no way
> means there are not problems with the device, or that at some point we
> won't experience these problems. Just adding to the conversation. We
bought our FitBits used also.
>
> Bridgit
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Sandi Ryan via Diabetes-Talk
> Sent: Monday, February 13, 2017 10:18 PM
> To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Sandi Ryan <sjryan2 at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] re question on a good accessible ap for
> tracking exercises like walking on treadmill, bicycling and that sort
> of stuff
>
> Hi Gary,
>
> I wear an Apple Watch, which has many functions and spills information
> directly into your iPhone (or, I assume, iPad). It's kind of expensive
> upfront, but I've had mine nearly two years, and have never regretted
> buying it. In my opinion, the thing that makes the Apple Watch better
> than the FitBit (my husband has one of those) is that the Apple Watch
> speaks everything using Voiceover. With the FitBit, at least the last
> time I used one, you had to get it to sync with and dump everything
> into the app on your phone, then read it from there. My husband has
> problems periodically with his FitBit not syncing properly, and loses
> data for days. The Apple Watch gives you certain information--you can
> even get it from the watch face if you choose the right face. And it
> contains several apps that help you track things, such as activity,
> your heart rate, and workouts, and you can have it remind you to
> breathe if you want to practice deep breathing. Information from the
> watch is automatically synced with the phone, and you can get even
> more information about your day from the phone's Health app. The first
> generation watch (which is what I have) now sells for about $200, and
> the new Generation II watch, which has some added features--but not
> enough to make me buy it, is $369. The older model is similarly priced
> to
the FitBit Blaze.
>
> The watch face I'm using provides the day/date, time, calendar, local
> temperature, fitness info (movement, exercise and hours during which
> I've stood), and sunrise/sunset time.
>
> Anyway, I hope this is enough information about the watch to help with
> your decision about a tracker.
>
> Sandi
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Gary-melconian via Diabetes-Talk
> Sent: Monday, February 13, 2017 6:59 PM
> To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
> Cc: Gary-melconian
> Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] re question on a good accessible ap for
> tracking exercises like walking on treadmill, bicycling and that sort
> of stuff
>
> Hello I would like to know if there are any good aps for tracking
> number of steps traveled , number of calories burned and that sort of
> stuf
on I OS.
> It needs to be accessible to voice over. If there are any
> recommendations on this , I would truly appreciate it.
>
> _______________________________________________
> Diabetes-Talk mailing list
> Diabetes-Talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Diabetes-Talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/sjryan2%40g
> mail.c
> om
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Diabetes-Talk mailing list
> Diabetes-Talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Diabetes-Talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/bkpollpeter
> %40gma
> il.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Diabetes-Talk mailing list
> Diabetes-Talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Diabetes-Talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/kutash-jm%4
> 0comca
> st.net
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Diabetes-Talk mailing list
> Diabetes-Talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Diabetes-Talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/bkpollpeter
> %40gma
> il.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Diabetes-Talk mailing list
> Diabetes-Talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Diabetes-Talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/kutash-jm%4
> 0comca
> st.net
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Diabetes-Talk mailing list
> Diabetes-Talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Diabetes-Talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/bkpollpeter
> %40gma
> il.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Diabetes-Talk mailing list
> Diabetes-Talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Diabetes-Talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/sjryan2%40g
> mail.c
> om
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Diabetes-Talk mailing list
> Diabetes-Talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Diabetes-Talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/bkpollpeter
> %40gma
> il.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Diabetes-Talk mailing list
> Diabetes-Talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
Diabetes-Talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/bernienfb75
> %40gmail.com
_______________________________________________
Diabetes-Talk mailing list
Diabetes-Talk at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
Diabetes-Talk:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/kutash-jm%40comca
st.net
_______________________________________________
Diabetes-Talk mailing list
Diabetes-Talk at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
Diabetes-Talk:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/sjryan2%40gmail.c
om
More information about the Diabetes-Talk
mailing list