Happy Sunday all! Thanks for all the congrats on being One Size Smaller and on my .6 lb weight loss this week. I honestly could not wait to get to my meeting today to pick up my Weight Watchers Active Link. I have a fun new gadget that I hear is similar to Fit Bit although the companies are different. You know I have to give it a name (like my BM)
Meet AL (for Active Link)! lol…..
I have been hearing my leader and a few of my friends who work at Weight Watchers rave about it now for months.
As you all know, I do have a slight gadget fetish, but, I am all about spending the money to invest in myself when it is going to benefit me by helping me to change my lifestyle.
I could spend $39.95 going out to dinner, the movies, at Starbuck’s or I could buy something that helps me achieve lifelong results by indirectly encouraging me to change my lifestyle. There is also a $5 a month fee that gets billed through your weightwatchers.com e-tools membership.
In the box you will find a clip on the left to wear the active link on your hip, shirt or on your bra. The Active Link is the USB drive in the middle and then, there is a clip on the right in case you want to wear it as a necklace.
I will say I WISH there was a cord in the box to wear it as a necklace….I feel like if you give me a clip to wear it as a necklace, then, it needs to have the necklace.
Setting up the Active Link Device is super easy. You plug in the USB, download the FREE Active Link Software at GetActiveLink.Com. Then, sign into your Weight Watcher’s E-Tools account when it pops up.
There are a few steps to follow to set up that take about 2 minutes. You select your time zone and the place where you plan to where your active link…in your pocket, on your belt/waist, tight on your chest (inside your bra so no one sees it) or loose on your chest (on that necklace they didn’t give you)
The home screen pops up with a notice letting you know that your first 8 days are an assessment. Active Link uses this time to determine what your average baseline activity is each day. Your baseline is the minimum activity you need to achieve each day factoring in all your movement throughout the day, not just when you exercise.
Once your baseline is determined, Active Link will create a 12 Week Challenge that is customized for you based entirely on your average baseline activity plus a little increase by week to help encourage you to move more each week.
The one thing I think makes Activity Link Better than any device I’ve used (Body Bugg, Body Media, Garmin, Pedometer, Heart Rate Monitor ~ told ya, I like gadgets lol!) is that it is WATERPROOF! you can wear it swimming or if you accidentally wash it, it’s OK.
The one thing that was a selling point for me is that it is linked up to my Weight Watchers E-Tools tracker to I can truly see how many Activity Points I earn each day and not just “estimate”.
It does NOT sync with the Weight Watcher’s mobile app yet, but, I am hoping they get on board with making that happen soon too since it is how I track/view my day most days.
I also like that you have to meet your baseline activity BEFORE your activity points kick in.
Since I am just in Day 1 of my Assessment, I do not have a full review for you all yet.
I am planning on completely reviewing my Active Link and then doing a post with full comparison to my Body Bugg and Body Media (BM) Devices along with a daily STATS comparison.
Would any of you be interested in me hosting an Active Link Giveaway?
This morning I started off with 2 of my Blueberry Mini Muffins (SF + 3 WPA) – 3 points+
And a mini gala apple picked off the vine.
After the meeting, we stopped at Starbuck’s for breakfast part II ~ Grande Nonfat, Decaf Lattes with caramel sauce drizzled on top. (SF) – 3 points+
After running around to pick up a few things for this week’s menu and doing a little yard work, we stopped at The Joy of Eating.
I cannot believe that I am still willing to have this salad over their phenomenal BLTA’s.
Teriyaki Chicken Salad with Homemade Sesame Miso Dressing on the side! It was so delicious I honestly did not miss having a BLTA and I even turned down a bite of The Husband’s sandwich. Crazy, but, so cool (SF + 2 WPA for the dressing) – 8 points+
After lunch, I turned all those veggies I bought at the Farmer’s Market yesterday……
Into this fantastic Roasted Vegetable Barley Ratatouille Salad ~ It’s fresh, vegan and I made it up just so I have lunches ready to grab and go this week.
I also finally made up some homemade Turkey Apple Sausages that are 100% Simply Filling. These little patties just might be better than the real deal…The Husband devoured two before I told him they were made with turkey
After spending a little time prepping in the kitchen and catching up on emails, comments, etc., we sat down for tacos using our leftover Healthy Nacho Fixin’s.
I topped two Mission Extra Thin Yellow Corn Tortillas with 1/2 cup Turkey Taco Meat, 2 Tbsp RF Sharp Cheese, lettuce, tomato, green onions…..
Homemade Salsa Fresca that I could honestly eat by the spoonful….
And a 0% Greek Yogurt drizzle for sour cream. (SF + 2 WPA) – 6 points+
Some recipes that I’ll be posting this week in addition to the weekly menu ~ Those Blueberry Mini Muffins, Lemon Barley Ratatouille Salad and my Homemade Turkey Apple Sausage Patties.
HERE IS WHAT IS ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:
- BBQ Chicken, Grilled Corn, Greens
- BLTA’s, salad or kale chips
- Chicken and Mushrooms, Crash Potatoes, green beans
- Tri Tip Salad or BBQ Buffalo Chicken Salads
- Shrimp with Zucchini & Tomatoes, salad
- Cheese Burgers, Sweet Potato Fries, Cucumber Salad
Q’s:
Do you have or did you buy an Active Link? If so, what do you think so far.
Night all!
I don’t have one but it looks so frikkin cool!!!!! Lol
love the menu….i think i am going to have to try a couple of ’em this week too:)
I’ve had mine for 3 weeks now, LOVE to see the happy dance it does when you have exceeded your target for the day! I have actually placed it on the table at night and if I don’t see those bars light up, will move around more to achieve my daily goal. This is the greatest invention ever!
How do you get the active link out of the case?
It looks really cool. I have the body media link and love it. Does the Active Link show the calories burned? Might have to try it, I also love my gadgets. I am just 13 pounds away from goal, and it is getting more difficult to lose. Love your blog. You share lots of really great things.
HI Margie,
I am not sure if it does since I am still in my assessment phase. I do know Active lInk shows activity points. I will be sure to post whether or not it shows calories when I do my review.
Danica
Thank you for the Active Link explanation! I really want to see how you like it…
I haven’t seen the active link at my WW meetings! It really does look cool and I would probably exercise more just knowing I had to see it in print if I didn’t do much! Another bonus!
I am not sure if AL is available all over the US yet. I know we were in the test market, so I have had mine for over a month now. It motivates you to move into a more active lifestyle. Shows you that all activity counts, not just your scheduled exercises. Makes me go upstairs and get something instead of asking the hubby ever so nicely to get it for me ;-)) Those are the changes that will change everything for you! Danica, you did a great job explaining what it does and how it works. Have fun with AL!
Love my Active Link! I often reach the 75% level by noon. It just motivates you to MOVE! At a Salsa concert last week, my daughter asked me, “Is the music that exciting, or are you moving because you want to reach another bar on your Active Link?” I had to admit it was a little bit of both!
Please do a giveaway! My leader told us our area will not be getting one until November or December and I am really wanting to rev up my exercise!
I am quite sure I wouldn’t have the technical skills to use that! I am lucky I can text on my phone!
Those turkey apple sausages look amazing!
I have had the Active Link for a month now. It is great in motivating you to be more active and it is extremely easy to use. I find it best to clip right on my bra. Also, for me the activity points link right up to my mobile app. Have fun with it!
I find the design of the holders for the Active Link to be faulty. It doesn’t have a closing clip. It is like putting a paperclip on your bra strap. It doesn’t stay on. I have had it for 2 months now and can’t tell you how many times I have almost and finally today did lose it. I will truly miss it. I loved it and was always between my 100% and more around 125%. Last week I actually had a day that was 173%. Maybe if the holder clip was changed I may get it again. The necklace with my job is dangerous and could result in a possible accident or death. I can not wear any jewelry. I am mourning my little Active Link, with tears.
Unfortunately I agree. I just finished the assessment phase and am now enjoying getting actually information, but the clip isn’t great. The most comfortable and hidden place for me in normal clothing is the center of my bra, closed side down. Usually that’s fine, but I guess certain movements dislodge it since I heard it drop in the parking lot walking into work the other day. 🙁 Shouldn’t it not be discouraging movement? Hopefully when there are more on the market more attachment devices will come out.
I use a baby’s diaper pin or you can find any kind of large pin and pin it on your bra
or in your bathin suit, and I pin it on the outside and hook the active link in the inside of the garment as to touch your eskin and there is no way it will fall. Try it.
I just picked up the Active Link. I have an IPad and I see that it does not connect to my Ipad. If I download the program into my home computer, will the points link up to my mobile Ipad?
Hi Nina,
Yes, if you download Active Link in your home computer it will show the activity points earned in the phone and ipad apps.
Danica
I have the active link and love it. also, the ww app does show the AL activity, once you plug it into you usb on your computer. I just found your site last week and am loving it as i do simply filling as well. it’s great to come here and find all these recipes…can’t wait for you to post the turkey sausage. A product i’ve been loving lately is Jimmy Dean’s Hearty Turkey Sausage Crumbles. I sprinkle a TBS into an egg in the morning, top it with 2% reduced fat american cheese and put it on a light english muffin…all for one simply filling point!
Thanks.
Great explanation on the A.L. I love it! Not sure why those lights motiviate but they do and I get very happy when I see all of them blinking at me.
Need to get out to Suisun for that salad…maybe today.
christine
I am waiting to see how others like it. Plus, I am lazy, and don’t need a device to tell me that 😀
JUST STARTED USING IT. LOVE IT. ITS BETTER THEN THE GYM. I LIKE TO GO A GYM POOL.GOOD EXCERISE. TRY IT. ITS VERY MOTIVATHING. AM DOWN IN WEIGHT GOT MY 10%.AM EXCITED.
I finally found the Mission Extra Thin Corn Tortillas at Walmart so now I need to search the site and find all the great things you do with them! I find my pedometer to be motivating – it also has the bar showing progress towards a daily goal and is a USB so I can d/l my stats and enter into the American Heart Assn tracker we use for a work competition. The display is starting to go so I was thinking FitBit would be next but I should have time to see how you like “AL”. A give away would be awesome!
You did it again! I cannot wait to try your Roasted Veggie Salad. OMG that looks so good! I’ve been away from my computer for awhile….CONGRATS on the size down! That rocks, Danica. So happy for you! And just so you know, I can totally tell by looking at you too. You’ve always looked fabulous, but when I saw you on Sunday I could tell you had that I’m-feeling-good-cuz-I-went-down-a-size bounce in your step! I’m super curious to see how your active link goes. I’m a total gadget head too. I just spent over $200 bucks on my Garmin set so I was hesitant to buy another “tool”, but if it ends up being way cool, you’re right I could forgo a night out or a few pints on the weekend!! Have a great week!
Oh man, I totally need one of those. If my WW doesn’t have one, I may hit you up for one (do they let you buy more than one?).
After trying a variety of methods to lose weight since the beginning of the year, I’ve decided to go back on WW. It’s really the ONLY thing that works for me. 20 pounds BE GONE!
HI Tiff,
I am not sure if they will let me buy more than one, however, I heard you can buy them online. I will gladly ask if you are interested.
Danica
I ended up getting a FitBit for my birthday so I’ll try that for a while. Thanks for the response!
That is an awesome birthday gift! I’d love to know what you think.
I am getting one this week, my WW leader raves about it and even told us she washed hers in the Washer, another lady said she went swimming with hers, so if they can do that I guess i really need to get one, Have a great day and a better week, Thanks for all of the great advice and menus!
Turkey Apple Sausages looks great! I can not find the recipe for them.
Me too!!! I searched your recipe page high and low and couldn’t find the recipe. Will you post one? They look delicious and I’m dying to make them. Thanks!!
I thought about getting Active Link, but went with the pedometer only. Now I’m wishing I had went with Active Link. Look forward to hearing more on your review as you get into it.
We just learned about Active Link in my meeting last week. I am curious to know how you like it after you have used it for awhile! Still trying to decide if I want to invest!
I don’t have the Active Link, but do have the Fit Bit Ultra and love it! I would love to win one for my hubby who is almost at lifetime!
I love my AL! I have become much more active since I got it. I was like you- I wanted them to provide something so I could wear it as a necklace (lol) but after trying all the different ways it seems to work best (for me) clipped to my bra. Good luck with your 8 days…. they seem like they take forever but its fun when you get to see the results. Thanks for the great recipes, encouragement and motivation. Love your blog!
It was my b’day week-end so I’m going thru some old posts! Glad I didn’t miss my favorite menu post, plus now you’ve sold me on the ActiveLink! I have a fitbit, which I love, but that Active converts steps into AP’s has me hooked 🙂
I just bought my Active Link online (WW website) last night – thanks for bringing it to my attention – I really hope it works for me!
Just bought mine at my meeting tonight and i’m so excited! Can’t wait for my assessment to be over so I can start really utilizing it to reach my activity goals!! Congrats on the size down and the loss, that’s awesome!!
This is a GREAT explanation of ActiveLink! Thanks for writing this all out! If it’s OK with you, I’d love to share this with my members (I’m a WW leader!). They could get great recipe ideas from you, too!
Only ONE correction. The assessment doesn’t determine your Activity Base Line. Your Activity Base Line is based on your age, height, weight and sex… just like your Daily PointsPlus Target. The assessment determines your GOALS. Two identical twins (same age, height, weight and sex) will have the same base line. If one is really active during the assessment and the other is sedentary, the active one will have a higher goal.
Other than that, though, this was AWESOME!!! I LOVE my ActiveLink!!! :o)
HI Michael,
Thanks for the clarification. I think I was considering the baseline the same as the goal….it determines your minimum activity level each day, then, creates a 12 week challenge (baseline + goal) to help you move a little more each week above the goal.
Feel free to share away.
Danica
Hello,
I follow WW and I’ve got an login for the website, but I’m not a member for the e-tools or meetings. I just access the free stuff. Do I need to have a paid membership or is my login enough?
Thank you,
Lisa
Hi Lisa,
You have to have a Weight Watchers E-Tools Subscription and an Active Link Subscription to use the device.
Danica
i bought the AL a little over a week ago and I love it!!! went thru the accessment.. then was told i was in the 6+ AP a day range…. and that my goal was to get 9 AP a day… so far been doing it 3 days and have surpassed my goal everyday!…. this is so remotivating to me and just what i was looking for to help me!!! I LOVE YOU AL!!!
Where can I purchase the ActiveLink? They don’t sell them at my WW meeting place.
Hi Jan,
Weight Watchers has not unveiled Active Link at all their centers from what I understand. You should ask your center to find out when they are getting them. Another option is online members can buy them directly online. If you cannot get your hands on one, let me know and I’d be glad to see if my center has any more.
Danica
Thanks, my WW center just got the active link. I have the Fit Bit and I’m not sure if AL would be a benefit to me. Any thoughts? Thanks
Hi Jan,
I personally think both are great devices that will motivate you to move more. Active Link is the only monitor that actually syncs up with your Weight Watchers online tracker and shows your activity points earned. You can still use the Weight Watchers tracker to track activity points earned, you just have to input it manually with a Fit Bit. I absolutely love my WW Active Link and although I’ve never owned a Fit Bit, I have heard they are very comparable. Both will help you get motivated to get moving and meet your targets. If you search “Active Link” in my search box above, you will see all the posts I’ve completed for my Active Link to date that may help give you some ideas of AL’s features.
Good luck and let me know what you decide,
Danica
I tried the Active Link and while it supposedly chooses your baseline based on weight, height, etc. there is no place on WW website for height. It is frustrating that you have to go in and name your activities or you don’t get proper credit. I work out an hour a day but also have a desk job. If I don’t work out at least 2 hours a day, I get NO activity points. When I finally earned 2 points on Sunday, it did not transfer to my e-tools. I called Phillips and they said it takes 2-3 days. I am not impressed. I would suggest bodybug or fitbit to those of you who are thinking about buying. Also, if you don’t like it, you can’t sell it You are the only one who can use it.
I really enjoyed reading all of the posts about Active Link. I am going to purchase one tonight on line. Thanks for taking the time to give all this information. I plan to share your site at my next meeting.
Your photos of your recipes deserve to be in a COOK BOOK!
I bought an active link. i down loaded the softwear, connected it to my computer did the sign in to my ww acct. but i dont get any further to input my info. Am i doing something wrong?
Hi Megan,
I would contact the Active Link 800# that shows up on your box as it should automatically sync when you plug AL in.
Danica
I am a bit confused and worried now…I bought my ActiveLink and started Saturday for my 8 day assessment…but am I suppose to connect this each nite in my computer during the assessment too? Please help me out since I can’t seem to find the answer online and some folks I have read say you do have too and then others say you don’t!!! Thanks!!!
Hi Mikee,
You do not have to plug in AL every single day, just every few days during the assessment so the data can be uploaded and to charge. I usually plug my AL in every day or two just because I want to see the results.
Hope that helps a bit,
Danica
Can you plug the AL into multiple computers? Also does it give you the amount of steps, etc you do during a timeframe? Thanks!
Hi Chuck,
Yes, you can plug active link into multiple computers – you will just need to download the free software on each computer. Unfortunately as of now, Active Link does not calculate steps, but, I sure hope they add that feature some time.
Danica
Hi all,
So I bought the active link from WW. I went through my eight day baseline and now am in my 1-2 challenge week. However, as much as I love this thing, and I do, there is some kind of issue I can’t figure out and Phillips couldn’t answer me. On Sunday I took two 20-25 minute walks, but then was relatively unactive. I checked at 6 or so and it only showed two bars. I spent the next hour or two doing aerobics and finally earned one point. Today I had earned 86% by the time I had come from walk. I had also taken a 25 minute walk this morning. When I got home I went for another walk and still wasn’t finished. So I did Wii Zumba for about 45 minutes and finally filled it. I earned three points. HOWEVER, and this is where my question lays, on WW etools (which is linked to activelink) it says I have earned 23 points. So I am wondering if we are really earn more than one or two points, but since we are in a challenge we are only given a certain amount of points? Anybody know? I would love feedback on this one. Heather
Hi Heather,
AL takes into consideration all of you activity throughout the day, not just when you are “working out or active”. This is how you can earn 1-2 or more activity points in a day. You can definitely earn a lot more than that based on how active you are. The goal throughout the challenge is to have you reach your baseline, then, anything above that is considered activity points.
Hope that helps,
Danica
I registered my AI stating that I plan to wear it on my bra strap. If I want to switch the placement to my waistband only during exercise, will this affect my AI activity level readings?
HI Christine,
You know, I am not sure. I know you can change the position online telling AL where you planned to wear it, but, I am not sure as I think this would change it for the entire day versus a workout. Possibly through trial and error you can see how it goes.
Danica
Does the activelink light up at all during your assessment phase? Will it show you percentage during the assessment? Im trying to figure out if maybe I didnt charge it enough? But I have been active this morning and no lights at all yet! But wasnt sure if i wouldnt see any lights until the 8 day period is over! Thanks for help!
Hi Jamie,
Nope, AL does not light up at all during the assessment phase. However, once you get past the assessment phase, you can watch the lights add up each day.
Danica
i must be the only stupid one! I registered mu activelink for the assessment already 2 wks ago!! but I still can’t figure out what to do with it. Iive been wearing it on my bra strap but nothing seems to happen. Do you know what happens to me when Im psyched and then things don’t work?????? try too imagine….. my eating plan goe wacko!!! Please help
HI Stemberly,
I would contact the Active Link support to find out what is going on with your AL. If you do not plug in to sync AL, then, it will not know you are finished with the assessment. Perhaps this is what is going on?
Good luck,
Danica
Hi I was wondering if I could save on shipping and buy AL at a meeting and what is the price at a meeting.
Hi Melanie,
Absolutely. AL is $39.95 in meetings and they sometimes have coupons to give you like $5 off.
Danica
Love your website!! I bought and AL and it is in the port right now going through the light up time to charge. It has been there awhile and I wanted to know how long it will take to be completely charged. Also, I have not had to sign up or long into anything yet. Will this come after it is charged up? Thanks
OK> It is all green now and yet I have not signed into anything. When do I do this?
Thanks!
Hi Janet,
It should take about 10 minutes give/take to charge usually less if you do it daily. Next step is to go to the active link website, download the software and set up your profile, then, sync and you are good to go.
Danica
I finally popped the AL into the necklace holder, but how do I get it out to charge it at night? I feel pretty dumb, but the only way I see it coming out of that case is to break it out! (I actually wanted to put it in the clip for my belt, but I couldn’t figure out how to fit it into the mechanism. Thanks!
Hi Lisa,
I haven’t used the necklace, however, have used the belt clip. You pop it out of the clip and plug it into your computer USB slot to charge it.
Hope that helps,
Danica
Thanks, Danica! My husband messed with it and got it out, but I kept thinking he was going to snap it in half in the process. I appreciated your response. Have a super day. 🙂
Can anyone tell me how to get the active link OUT of the holder???
Hi!
Got my Active Link! Do I plug it in any during the Assessment Phase?
i ave finished my assessment, now finishing my first day. Do i plug this into my computer
daily then, or does AL remember the days?