Why is there already a calorie burn showing for today when I just got started?

Regardless of what time of day you start wearing your Armband on your first day, the system gives you credit for the entire day. When you set up your Armband, you are asked for body parameters like gender, age, weight, height etc. The system uses these parameters to estimate your burn for the entire first day from midnight until you get started wearing the Armband. This will happen any time your Armband is off of your body, but it gets more accurate the more you wear your Armband. These estimates assume you are at rest.

How can I add activities that I did when I was not wearing my Armband?

First, sync your Armband and upload your data. Go to the day in which you had the Armband off for at least 30 minutes. To manually enter activities into the Activity Manager use the "Edit Off-Body" option located in the Calories Burned drop down. This option will only be available for times that you did not wear your Armband for more than a half hour (and that time does not fall in the period you set up for sleeping).

From this option you will be able to add many different activities during which you did not wear your Armband, such as swimming. You can also choose to select "I did the same as" a certain time range on a different day. If you don't want to select specific activity, you can select a period of time in which your activity was similar to the off-body time you are trying to capture.

What are Personal Bests?

Personal Bests represent the history of each time you achieved a new record high for some of the measurements tracked in the Activity Manager - calories burned, steps, moderate activity time, vigorous activity time, or sleep. You'll be notified each time you reach a new Personal Best. If you choose, you can post your Personal Bests to your Facebook wall by clicking the Facebook icon from the dashboard of your Activity Manager.

How do I post my data to Facebook?

First, you'll need to link your Activity Manager and your Facebook account. You can do this from the User Preferences screen by clicking on "link" next to the Facebook icon. This will take you through the standard Facebook account authorization flow. If you attempt to post data to Facebook prior to linking your Activity Manager and Facebook accounts, you will automatically be taken into the account linking flow.

What options do I have to track my calorie consumption?

You can track your calorie intake by using Daily Estimating, Meal Logging or Nutrition Assessment. You have the flexibility to choose the method that matches your lifestyle. Select one of these options under "Logging Mode" in the Settings Tab under Preferences.

• Food Log: allows you to record each meal every day and view details about micronutrients and macronutrients. You are able to compare daily caloric intake vs. calorie expenditure for each day.
• Nutrition Assessment: allows you to assess three days of caloric intake. You can use that Assessment as a guide to determine your average daily calorie intake.
• Daily Estimate: allows you to input your caloric intake total on a daily basis instead of logging each meal every day. It's especially helpful if you record consumption details outside of the Activity Manager.
• Off: turns food logging off. When selecting this option, the Calories Consumed and Calorie Balance categories in the Activity Manager will be removed.

Can I add my own recipe or food not found into the database?

Yes. In the food log click 'Create Food' to add foods that are not listed in our database or 'Create Recipe' to build and save your own recipe. Once you add foods or recipes they will remain in your database for future food loggings.

Who has access to the BETA version of the Feedback feature?

Select users have access to the beta version of the Feedback Features. Feedback Beta users will see a "thought bubble" beside Calories Burned, Calories Consumed, Calorie Balance and Weight Loss rows in the Activity Manager Dashboard.

You may receive different feedback depending on whether your Armband is used as part of a specific program.

What is the feedback called?

Feedback has different names in different BodyMedia systems because the content is written by different authors. For example, the base BodyMedia FIT feedback is called "FIT coach."

What types of feedback can I see?

The Feedback feature will provide solutions, alerts, praise and tips for the following areas: Calories Burned, Calories Consumed, Calorie Balance and Weight Loss. Sleep alerts will also be provided. You may receive different feedback depending on whether your Armband is used as part of a specific program.

Weight Loss feedback will only appear if you have a weight loss goal set in the system and you enter your weight regularly.

How do I see Feedback?

You will see an icon to the left of the Calories Burned, Calories Consumed, Calorie Balance, Weight Loss and Sleep headings on the Dashboard. If feedback is available, the icon will appear dark blue with a number above it which notes how many pieces of feedback you have received.

How does the Calorie Burn feedback work?

When you SYNC your data, the system calculates your daily expected calorie burn using your actual calories burned so far for the day and an estimate of your typical daily activities for the rest the day based on your historical data. Your normal high intensity workout such as running or aerobics are not included in the historical data estimate. Why? Because we want to motivate you to keep doing them and give you options to mix up your routine.

If you are not projected to reach your Calorie Burn goal for the day, the system will recommend a solution for reaching your goal. In some instances, it will also give you more specific details such as how fast to run, or how many watts to set your stationary bike to. If you are not interested in the particular activity solution given, click on the "Show me more activities" for some alternative activities.

The system will only provide a Calorie Burn solution if you have SYNCed data within the last four hours.

Which activities will be provided in Calorie Burn & Balance feedback?

The activities mentioned in feedback will include running, biking, and doing other activities. If you are not interested in the particular activity solution given, click on "Show me more activities" for some alternative activities.

How does the Nutrition feedback work?

The Feedback feature provides solutions, alerts, praise, and tips for Calories Consumed. It also provides tips and alerts if you exceed the recommended daily amount of carbohydrates and fat. The system will also provide tips and alerts if you do not meet the minimum recommended daily amount of protein and carbohydrates.

Nutrition feedback is provided when you log at least three meals for the current day or the previous day.

How does the Balance feedback work?

When you SYNC your data, the system calculates your daily expected Calorie Burn using your actual calories burned so far and an estimate of your typical daily activities for the rest of the day based on your historical data. It does not include any high intensity workouts such as running or aerobics. Why? Because we want to motivate you to keep doing them and give you options to mix up your routine.

If you are not projected to reach your Calorie Balance goal for the day, the system will recommend a solution to reaching your goal. The solution may include an activity and duration as well as a recommendation on how much you should eat for the rest of the day.

The system will only provide a balance solution if you have SYNCed data within the last four hours and have logged at least 3 meals today.

How does the Weight Loss feedback work?

Weight Loss feedback is provided after the first 21 days of your weight loss program and after you have entered regular weight measurements.

The system determines your overall and recent weight gain or loss trends and provides Weight Loss alerts, tips, praise and solution feedbacks.

How does the Sleep feedback work?

Currently, only alerts and tips are provided for Sleep. You will only see sleep alerts if you have nights with very little sleep. The system will only provide you with Sleep feedback if you wear your Armband 90% of the day or approximately 21.5 hours.

Can I turn off Feedback?

Yes. You have two options to reduce the FIT coach feedback you receive. You can turn feedback off if you go to the Settings tab in the Preferences section, you have a choice to either disable FIT coach entirely, or select specific categories to recieve feedback such as only Calories Burned or Weight. If you disable FIT coach, all of your feedback will be turned off until you enable it again.

Will I lose data if I switch my default nutrition method?

By changing your default nutrition method, you may lose the meals logged for the same day as the change. No other data or previously logged meals will be affected.

How often should I complete a Nutrition Assessment?

It is recommended to complete one when you are updating your goals and targets, or when you need some feedback if you are not achieving your desired goals. You may complete a Nutrition Assessment as often as every 3 days.

Can I print or export my Nutrition Assessment?

No, not at this time. However, when using Daily Food Logging you are able to print and export detailed food log data. To do this, select the "Report" feature from the dashboard of your Activity Manager and choose the date range for the report you would like to view, then select "Food Log Report."

How many past nutrition assessments can I see at one time?

You have access to the 5 most recent assessments that you have completed.

How can I customize the nutrient information available in the Customized Nutrient Table?

You can personalize up to 10 nutrients that are most important for you to view in the Calories Consumed detail table instead of only seeing the system default Macronutrients (Protein, Fat, Carb, Alcohol). This gives you the ability to customize your food display to meet your dietary requirements.

What is "Sleep Efficiency"? Why don't I have 100%?

If you wear your Armband while you sleep, it calculates "sleep efficiency." This is the ratio between the amount of time you are asleep divided by the amount of time you are lying down. Adult efficiency levels are typically in the 80% to 95% range, and decrease with age.

Why am I seeing gaps in my sleep graph or steps recorded during sleep?

Occasionally, gaps or steps may be recorded during sleep depending on how you are sleeping that particular night. Steps may be recorded because you are actually awake or have some abnormal arm movement or position. Gaps may occur because of the above or because the Armband moves during sleep so the sensors lose contact with the skin.

Are days Midnight to Midnight?

Your calories are counted "daily" from midnight to midnight. However it makes more sense to report on your sleep mid-day to mid-day because sleeping usually spans midnight. For example, the sleep reported on Wednesday is from mid-day Tuesday to mid-day Wednesday, covering one whole night of sleep.

What are BMR and RMR, and how do you use them?

BMR stands for Basal Metabolic Rate, and is the number of calories someone would burn in a 24-hour period if they were completely at rest, but not sleeping. This is the energy required to maintain the body processes necessary for life. BMR is usually measured after 12 hours of fasting and 8 hours of sleep.

A comparable measurement Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) is often used because it is more easily measured than BMR. Both measures are influenced by a number of factors including age, weight, height, gender, and fitness level. There are a number of classic equations used to estimate a person's BMR and RMR.

The Activity Manager does not base your calorie burn upon BMR or RMR. However, the World Health Organization RMR calculation (WHO-RMR) is used indirectly.

What is BMI, and how do you use it?

BMI stands for Body Mass Index, and it's calculated by dividing a person's weight (in kilograms) by their height (in meters) squared. The BMI equation is the established method for classifying healthy and un-healthy body weights. It is the basis of the medical definitions for people being underweight, normal, overweight or obese. BMI is the standard that is promoted and supported in the USA by the Centers for Disease Control (the CDC), and internationally by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The BMI scale is not perfect, particularly for people who are at the extremes, and people who work out and build a lot of muscle. The classifications "underweight, normal, overweight, & obese" are defined and fixed for adults, while children and teenagers have their own classifications that change over time.

The Activity Manager does not directly use BMI to calculate your calorie burn, although it is used indirectly.

What are METS and AVG. METS?

The energy cost of an activity can be measured in units called METs (metabolic equivalent). 1 MET is the energy expenditure for everyone "at rest." Two people resting will burn different amounts of calories, but they both burn 1 MET.

You can think of METS as a multiplier of calorie burn. You burn 1 MET when you are at rest. An activity that takes 3 METS burns approximately 3 times as many calories. Mild exercise (such as walking at a leisurely pace) increases energy expenditure to approximately 3 METs, while vigorous activity might require 6 METS.

The online Activity Manager shows you calorie burn and "AVG. METS", which stands for "Average METS". Calorie burn is individual to you, while METS can be compared between people.

I am having trouble recording Vigorous Activity.

The difference between moderate and vigorous activity is the METS of the activity. "METS" is a handy way to talk about the intensity of an activity. Activity Manager standard settings: Moderate activity is 3-6 METS, Vigorous is 6+ METS.

If you are exercising at the high end of the Moderate MET level (e.g. in the 5 to 6 range), you may feel like you are really working hard, but the Activity Manager will only count the time in which you actually cross the 6+ threshold as "vigorous" activity.

Some people choose to adjust the MET definitions downward slightly. You can adjust these activity level thresholds by setting your personal preferences. Under the Setting tab at the top right of the Activity Manager page, select Preferences and then use the slider under the Physical Activity Level section.

How do I change how frequently the Activity Manager reminds me to enter my weight?

By default, the system will remind you every two weeks to enter your weight. This is customizable from the User Preferences page where you can choose to be reminded once a week, every two weeks, once per month, or can turn off the weight reminder entirely.

How do I refresh my Activity Manager account if I want to start over with a new goal?

Simply go to the Settings tab in the Activity Manager and update your User Profile and Goals. You will then have a fresh start towards your new goal. No previous data will be erased, but all future progress will be measured against your new goal.

Who has access to the beta version of Heart Rate Monitor data upload feature?

Select users have access to the beta version of the Heart Rate Feature. To see if you have access, go to the Settings tab. If Heart Rate is not an option, you do not have access to this feature at this time.

How do I download data from my Garmin heart rate monitor?

You will need to download software from Garmin to upload data into the BodyMedia system. If you do not have the plugin installed, a link to the software will be provided in a pop-up window. The plugin is compatible with Windows and Mac.

How do I enable the Heart Rate functionality?

By default, the heart rate feature is disabled for beta users. Go to Settings - Heart Rate to enable this function and to configure your personalized heart rate settings (resting heart rate, maximum heart rate, heart rate zones). This configuration only has to be done once.

Which devices can I upload heart rate data from?

The Heart Rate feature should be compatible with any heart rate monitor supported by the Garmin Communicator Plugin. This list of devices may be updated frequently as Garmin releases new products. Note that the Garmin Communicator Plugin is currently known to have problems with Forerunner 110 model.

Devices that have been officially tested by BodyMedia for the Heart Rate integration into the Activity Manager: Forerunner 60 (aka FR60), Forerunner 305, Forerunner 610, Edge 305.

How is heart rate data used in the Activity Manager?

The heart rate data imported from your Garmin device is used to display heart rate data in the BodyMedia FIT dashboard. Heart rate data is not exported or included in BodyMedia reports or algorithms. You can only import and display heart rate data from your Garmin device. The system does not upload GPS or calorie information from your Garmin device.

Where in the Activity Manager can I set my heart rate zones?

Go to Settings - Heart Rate to enable this function and to configure your heart rate settings (resting heart rate, maximum heart rate, heart rate zones). This configuration only has to be done once.

How is my expected calorie burn calculated?

Using our sophisticated algorithms, the Activity Manager now calculates your daily expected calorie burn. The Activity Manager gives you an estimate of the remainder of calories for the day based on your historical data and your actual calories burned so far in the day. The algorithm used to predict your calorie burn is based upon your behavior and will learn more about you over time.

Why is my Web Upload no longer working?

Web Upload was recently disabled with the Activity Manager 3.5 release. If you do not already use BodyMedia SYNC software to upload your BodyMedia FIT data, download it here.

How can I select a data range within the BodyMedia graphs?

Within the Calories Burned and Sleep graphs, you are able to select different ranges of your data throughout the day. You can do this by either selecting the defaults in the upper right side of the chart or by adjusting the range selectors below the graph. You can change the selected region by using the navigator or clicking and dragging the chart area.

Within the Weight charts, you can select a default timeframe in the upper right side of the graph as well as view a range directly within the graph itself by selecting a start time within the chart and dragging the arrow to the end time.

What time period is visible when I open in the Sleep Graph?

The system automatically sets the boundaries of the day to the sleep data for that particular day. You can change the selected region by using the navigator or clicking and dragging the chart area.

What time period is visible when I open in Calories Burned Graph?

The system automatically sets your day to the time period that you setup that you are traditionally awake. You can change this time period in the User Profile option of the Settings tab under "Tell us about your behavior" section.

Can I change my Physical Activity chart to only show Moderate or Vigorous Activity?

Yes, you can toggle on and off different activity types in the detailed Physical Activity chart by selecting the colored box beside the type of activity.

Can I change my Sleep chart to only show Sleep or Lying Down?

Yes, you can toggle on and off sleep details in the detailed Sleep chart by selecting the colored box beside the type of sleep.

Can I change my Calories Consumed chart to show select Macronutrients when looking at multiple days?

Yes, you can toggle on and off macronutrient details (Protein, Carbs, etc) in the multi-day view of the Calories Consumed chart by selecting the colored box beside the Macronutrient.

I can't log food. How do I turn food logging back on?

To turn food logging back on, go to Preferences in the Settings tab and select the Food Log option under "Logging Mode."