bodybugg® Frequently Asked Questions

First, I want you to succeed & I'm not going to rip you off doing it. I became a bodybugg reseller because I saw what a powerful tool the bodybugg is. It can help you lose the weight that you want to lose - if you are really ready to make that step.

After I gained about 30 lbs following my bodybuilding competition, it helped me lose that extra weight that I just couldn't get rid of; and I'm a Health Educator! I know what I'm doing! I think that this is a fantastic tool & I believe that it works. I'm proof that it works.

I will be your first line of support. So, if you have any questions about the device, exercise or nutrition, I will be here to support you: today, tomorrow, next week, next month or next year. Changing your life takes time.

Additionally, if you hate the bodybugg, I'll take it back. I don't have a hard & fast return policy - but if you really don't like it, I don't want my name attached to that, so I'll take it back. I'm going to work with you to make sure that we've exhausted every solution, but I want to make sure that you're happy with my service and your purchase.

• Six month subscription to the bodybugg® web program
• One bodybugg® V3 armband
• One session with a bodybugg® coach via phone
• Online food logging and menus
• Personalized dietary support recommendation
• bodybugg® digital display (optional)

The bodybugg® armband has 4 main measurement components:

1. accelerometer
2. heat flux
3. galvanic skin response
4. skin temperature

Bodybugg is both PC and MAC compatible. bodybugg offered is Version 3. The bodybugg® web interface is the command center of your program:

• Upload your information from the bodybugg® into the web program.
• Learn how much you can eat to reach your weight loss or weight gain goals.
• Follow the meal plans in the program or eat the foods you like, your choice.
• Keep track of the calories you've eaten with the easy-to-use online food log.

System requirements

• PC or Mac with at least one USB Port
• Microsoft Windows 2000/2003/XP Vista (Vista 32 and 64 bit compatible)
• MAC OS 10.5 on Intel platform (32 bit compatible)
• Internet Explorer 6/7, Safari 3 (AOL, Netscape and Firefox browsers are not supported at this time)
• 256 MB RAM or higher
• Internet access (high-speed strongly recommended)
• Internet Settings: allow cookies, pop-ups and JavaScript

Software requirements

• Java Runtime Environment (Sun or Mac versions 1.4.2 through 1.6) or the MSJVM
• Recommended but not required: Adobe Acrobat Reader, Adobe Flash Player (free at www.adobe.com)

Yes. The bodybugg® is supported by MAC. The bodybugg® program officially supports the Safari 3 browser on MAC OS 10.5 on Intel platform (32 bit compatible)

You must maintain an active subscription in order to access the data collected by the bodybugg® armband. There are several renewal options currently available, if you decide to extend your subscription:

• Month-to-month recurring ($9.95)
• 6 months ($49.95)
• 12 months ($79.95)
• NOTE: prices subject to change without prior notice

You will need to purchase a web-only program. Please contact the Elizabeth at 512.789.0094 or send an email to eliz@elizabethsherman.com and we'll set it up for you.

Yes, the armband comes with a one-year warranty which begins the day you activate your armband. Please note: water damage is not covered by the warranty. The elastic strap is intended to last at least 90 days from purchase date, provided it is hand-washed and allowed to air-dry (do not tumble dry).

Contact the Elizabeth at 512.789.0094 or send an email to eliz@elizabethsherman.com and we'll get one out to you.

While we have no data suggesting the Armband is unsafe during pregnancy we recommend that you consult with your physician prior to wearing the Armband if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.

The Armband has been clinically validated to be over 90% accurate when determining calorie burn through the entire day. More specifically, a recent independent study tested the Armband in real-life situations. Participants engaged in "free living" activities, including brisk walking, running, bicycling, sedentary activities, home activities, home repair, occupational activities, strength training, and ball games. The study compared the Armband to a $40,000 "portable oxygen analyzer", the gold standard for measuring calories. Results showed:

Total Calories for free living activities: mean error <10%.
Total Minutes of exercise: mean error <5%.

Source: British Journal of Sports Medicine. July 2008. Berntsen et al.

The Armband has been clinically and independently validated, and on average is over 90% accurate when determining calorie burn through the entire day.

Short periods of time in the day may show calorie values you were not expecting. This may be because the calorie burn for that activity is different to what you were expecting, and the accuracy of the system varies with different activities. Over the whole day the average accuracy remains over 90%.

Gently wipe the side of the armband touching the skin with a soft cloth or towel moistened with a mild soap and water. Wipe with a clean damp cloth to remove any excess soap remaining. Use a dry, soft cloth or towel to completely dry the armband before wearing. Additionally, your arm should be cleaned and thoroughly dry.

Never use solvents to clean the armband.

To clean the strap/wing assembly: Hand wash with mild soap and warm water, rinse, then air dry. Machine drying may affect the performance and lifespan of the strap.

Calorie balance is the difference between calories consumed and calories burned. Your caloric burn value is determined by the data from the Armband, off-body estimates and any manual activities that have been logged. The caloric consumption value is determined by either the logged meals or body mass changes.

Calorie deficit = when you have burned more calories than consumed. Maintaining a calorie deficit over time is a key ingredient to weight loss.

Calorie surplus = when you have consumed more calories than burned. Maintaining a caloric surplus over time is a key ingredient to weight gain.

Yes. Actually, the online program is the foundation of the bodybugg® system. Based on your measurement changes, the system will determine your actual daily calorie deficit (or surplus) according to your one-week average. To help you stay on track without the bodybugg® armband, there's an easy-to-use food logging function so you can keep track of calories consumed. There's also an exercise calculator with hundreds of activities to choose from to determine how many calories you've burned. Through the bodybugg® online interface you can customize and print menus as well as view and print your exercise programs. There are also several informative knowledge builders, tutorials, newsletters, and daily questions and answers to help you stay on track. Check out www.myapex.com for even more educational resources.

No, we do not recommend multiple users on one bodybugg® armband. Each armband is linked to a particular bodybugg® online program. Having multiple users wearing the same device simultaneously would negate the accuracy and effectiveness of the overall bodybugg® program.

We recommend wearing the armband as much as possible during waking hours. The more you wear your bodybugg® , the more accurate and effective you will be at maintaining your calorie deficit goal. During times of low activity (such as sleeping), the program will estimate your calorie burn at rest, based on your body parameters, so it is not 100% necessary to wear to sleep. We advise removing the device for at least an hour during the day to allow your skin to breath.

The bodybugg® is more accurate than a pedometer for calculating calories burned because it is "watching" your body from four different perspectives. A pedometer only measures steps. In addition to measuring motion and steps, the bodybugg® is able to see how much you are sweating, your skin temperature and the rate at which heat is being dissipated from your body. These additional physiological parameters give the bodybugg® a more complete picture of what your body is doing and its level of exertion, all of which means a much more accurate estimation of your calories burned.

Not at this time. While heart rate information can be useful, it is not necessary to accurately measure total calorie burn. In fact, there are many factors, such as prescription drugs, cardiovascular disease and abnormalities, which can affect heart rate, making it more difficult to obtain an accurate overall assessment of calories burned.

Not at this time.

The bodybugg® should be protected from water and should be removed before showering, bathing or swimming. The armband should not be worn in saunas or steam rooms.

No, the armband itself tracks the calories you burn, but not the calories you eat. Your calories consumed are calculated by the bodybugg® web interface based on your weekly body mass change. To better track your calorie input, the program also offers an easy-to-use food log so you can monitor the calories you eat throughout the day.

• Always clean and dry the back of the armband, as well as the upper arm, prior to wearing. This will help prevent dirt and moisture from getting trapped between the sensors and skin.
• Remove the armband for at least one hour for every 24 hours of continuous use. This will allow the skin to breathe, helping prevent irritation.
• Do not use moisturizers or lotions in the area that the armband touches the skin. This may increase irritation over prolonged wearing and affect the performance of the sensors.

No. The Display provides a visual output for your Armband. It is not a monitor in itself. It will only update and present your Armband data when the Armband is on your arm and "on-body" (sensing). Note: You can still use the Display as a time piece when the Display says "not in sync".

Press the Status button. If the battery or memory lights are flashing red, either the battery needs to be charged or the memory is full. If after pressing the Status button you still receive no feedback (no lights or sound), try charging the battery, it may have drained while you were not wearing the armband. If after replacing the battery you still do not receive feedback, please contact Technical Support.

Your armband may not have turned on. If this is the case, the armband did not collect data, but you will be prompted to manually enter your activities during any detected off-body time the next time you upload your armband. Off-body time occurs only during the non-sleeping hours you've established in your program, and you've had the armband off for at least 30 minutes.

1. Log in to the bodybugg® application with your username and password and select "Calories Burned". If prompted, install the bodybugg® software.
2. Plug the Wireless Communicator (sold as an accessory) into the USB port of your computer using the supplied cable. The light on the communicator will be a solid green when it is ready for use.
3. Choose "Wireless Communicator" and click the "Upload" button.
4. Press the button on the Armband to wake its radio for wireless communication when prompted by the upload process.
   
   
   Common reasons why the Armband will not upload using the Wireless Communicator:
   
   
   • The Armband and Wireless Communicator are out of range (greater than three feet from each other).
   • Wireless interference (wireless routers, cordless phones, cell phones or other wireless equipment operating at the same wireless frequency, 2.4Ghz)
   • A faulty USB port on the computer. Try with a different port.
   • A faulty USB cable. Try a different cable.
   • The presence of third party software that may interfere with the communication between the Armband and the Wireless Communicator. Examples are Hot sync, Active sync, Blackberry desktop, etc.

Perform the steps below to synchronize your Display with your Armband. Once the Armband is "paired" with the Display, synchronizing should require only a single short press of the Armband button when prompted by the Display.

1. Register the new or replacement Armband to your bodybugg account. If the Armband is already registered, perform an upload.
2. Place the Armband on the appropriate arm and verify the Armband goes "on body" (touching the skin and turned on). The Armband will not synchronize to the Display unless the Armband is "on body".
3. Hold down all four Display buttons for five seconds to reboot. Wait for the screen to go blank.
4. Press and hold the Armband button for 5 seconds until you hear the Armband acknowledgement. Do not hold the button for more than 10 seconds.
5. Press the view button on the Display and follow the on-screen instructions to hold the mode and view buttons.
   
   
   Common reasons why the Armband will lose synchronization with the Display
   
   
   • The Armband is not "on body."
   • The Armband and Display are out of range (more than 3 ft) from each other.
   • Wireless interference (wireless routers, cordless phones, cell phones or other wireless equipment operating at the same wireless frequency, 2.4Ghz).
   • The charge on the battery in the Armband is low. Replace (v2 Armband) or charge (v3 Armband) the battery.

After performing any of the following, attempt to charge your Armband to see if the problem has been corrected.

• Disable the "hibernation mode" settings on your computer.
• Charge using a different USB port on your computer.
• Try a different USB cable.
• Press the Armband button while the Armband is unplugged from the computer. Verify the battery light flashes amber or green, then goes out. If the battery light remains solid, press and hold the Armband button for a full fifteen seconds. The battery LED should go out. Plug cable into the Armband and attempt to charge.

Grey Armband - Open the round battery cap. Remove the AAA battery. The serial number is the 8 digit number found within the battery well.
Black Armband - Remove the Armband sensor from the strap/wing assembly. The serial number is the 10 digit number found on the Armband sensor label.

The Armband is designed to be worn on the back of the upper arm (the triceps) with the bodybugg logo towards the shoulder and the sensors touching the skin. Adjust the strap so that it fits on your arm comfortably, and secure the pull-tab. Confirm that the sensors maintain continuous contact with your skin at all times and that the Armband does not slide off your arm. Be sure not to secure the strap too tightly.

The black bodybugg armband was designed to be worn on the left arm.
The gray bodybugg armband was designed to be worn on the right arm.

After performing any of the following, attempt to upload your Armband to see if the problem has been corrected.

• Ensure that the USB cable is connected to both the Armband and the computer.
• Connect the USB cable to a different USB port on the computer.
• Try using a different the USB cable.
• Check the Armband's battery status by pressing the Armband button and verifying that the memory and battery lights turn on. If you are using a gray Armband, replace the AAA battery. If you are using a black Armband, unplug the USB cable and reboot the Armband by pressing and holding the Armband button for 15 seconds.
• Check for the presence of third party software on your computer that may interfere with communication with the Armband. Examples are Hot sync, Active sync, Blackberry desktop, etc.
• If the problem is not corrected, contact bodybugg Technical Support at 866.314.9423.

Use the following steps to enable the Sun JRE (Java Runtime Environment)

1. Select the Tools menu option.
2. Select Internet Options.
3. Click on the Advance tab.
4. Within the Settings list, beneath the "Java (Sun)" entry, enable the "Use JRE 1.6.xx" option.
5. Click OK and restart the browser.

Use the following steps to manage the Sun Add-ons.

1. Select the Tools menu option.
2. Select Manage Add-ons.
3. Select "enable or disable add-ons".
4. From within the dropdown, select "Add-ons that run without requiring permissions".
5. Ensure that any entry with a publisher of Sun Microsystems (whether verified or not) is enabled.

1. Start by holding the Armband with the text facing up.
2. Apply continuous downward pressure to the right side of the Armband sensor while pulling up on the right side of strap/wing assembly until the Armband and strap/wing assembly detach.

1. Log in to your bodybugg application and click on the "My Info" tab.
2. Click on the "Register Armband" button.
3. Plug one end of the USB cable into your computer and the other end of the cable into the Armband.
4. Within the pop-up window, click the "Register Armband" button and follow the wizard to completion.

Configuring phishing filters

1. Select the Tools menu option.
2. Click on phishing filters.
3. Select "Turn Off Automatic Website Checking..." if the option is available.
4. Select "Turn off automatic Phishing Filter" from the "Microsoft Phishing Filter" dialog.

Configuring pop up blockers

1. Select the Tools menu option.
2. Click on Pop-up Blocker.
3. Select "Turn off Pop-up Blocker" if the option is available.

Managing Add-ons

1. Select the Tools menu option.
2. Select Manage Add-ons.
3. Select "enable or disable add-ons".
4. From within the dropdown, select "Add-ons that run without requiring permissions".
5. Ensure that any entry with a publisher of Sun Microsystems (whether verified or not) is enabled.

Please call 866.314.9423 between the hours of 5am and 7pm PST, Monday through Friday. You can also send an email to support@bodybugg.com. If you're calling from outside the US, please dial 636.537.3480.

Press the armband button again to see if it responds. Press and hold the status button for 15 seconds to reboot. Go into the software and retrieve your data (upload) to re-sync your armband.

My armband is beeping while it is on my arm.

1. Press the Status button. If the battery lights are flashing red or amber, charge batteries according to instructions via the USB cable
2. Press the Status button. If the memory lights are flashing red or amber, go to the website and upload your data.
3. Reminders that are set in the bodybugg®software will also cause the armband to beep.

If your armband has not turned on within 10 minutes of putting it on, try very lightly moistening the back of your upper arm with water and slide the armband on again. Do not use enough water to form drops on your skin should be no more than slightly damp. It should turn on within a few minutes. If the problem persists, please contact Technical Support.

In most cases the redness or irritation is the result of heat and moisture build up between the armband and skin due to prolonged wearing. Discontinuing use for a few days should allow the affected area to breathe and clear up. If the area does not seem to clear by itself or remains irritated for several days following discontinuation, consult your physician before wearing again. If you are allergic to any of the materials in the armband, consult your physician.

Your weight management program includes one personalized session with your coach. During this 40-50 minute session, you will:

• Evaluate your individualized program
• Review how to use each tab in the bodybugg program
• Review how to manage your deficit, understand portion sizes and log your food
• Review how to update your measurements and evaluate your progress
• Find out how to renew your subscription or purchase extra coaching sessions
• Get tips for long-term success

• Wearing your new bodybugg® for at least fourteen days prior to your phone coaching session will allow your phone coach to assess realistic goal settings and offer recommendations based on your daily movement and caloric intake. Additionally, you have an opportunity to get to know your new bodybugg® and prepare questions you may have for your phone coach.
• Allows more customization of the bodybugg® coaching session, since each client has individual needs and interests in using the system
• Gives you more time to learn the bodybugg® basics such as uploading the armband and logging food, thus freeing up more time for the phone coach to cover more advanced bodybugg® functionality, that is critical to the long term success of the program.
• IMPORTANT - Provides an opportunity for you to report your initial weight trends, therefore giving the phone coach more time to focus on discussing the benefits of using bodybugg® to help you reach you goals.
• All key views - such as the date ranges and based on views - are not available until after your first 7 day weigh in. These are CRUCIAL topics covered by phone coaches to ensure the customer continues expert use of the system by tailoring it to new goals applicable to life change.

If you purchase your bodybugg® from Total Health by Elizabeth, we will treat the purcase as a lease: $25 ($35 includes display) per week and refund the balance of the initial charge. If the coaching session has been used, you will be reimbursed for the cost of the unit less coaching session and any shipping costs. If the coaching session has not been used, you will be reimbursed for the bodybugg® as well as the coaching session, minus any shipping costs.

No, the bodybugg® phone coaching session is nonrefundable. Therefore you will not receive a refund. However, you do have the option to schedule the coaching session at any time that is convenient for you.

Your coaching session can be retrieved at any time. So, if you decide you'd like to take advantage of the coaching sessions after you initially opt-out, please contact the Elizabeth at 512.789.0094 or send an email to eliz@elizabethsherman.com to set up an appointment.

• Important Reminders
• Getting Started
• User Guide
• Digital Display