LONDON , England ( CNN ) -- Walking is one of the easiest ways to boost physical activity , but if you 're like me , you probably do n't do enough of it . The Fitbug calculates the steps you take and calories you burn . CNN 's medical show `` Vital Signs '' recently launched a Facebook application that lets you share your health resolutions with your friends . I 've pledged to walk more in 2009 , but I have n't made much headway with that goal . Walking 10,000 steps a day is one of the ways many people choose to meet their recommended guidelines for physical activity as set out by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services . I usually love walking , but London 's dreary winter has me seriously lacking motivation . In a bid to get on track , I 've decided to try out a step counter . The Fitbug is a smart pedometer -- it keeps track of your daily steps , and you can upload the stats onto your computer . Will this be the gadget that helps me break out of my winter gloom ? The expert 's view . Pedometers have what researchers call a `` short feedback loop , '' which means they give you the opportunity to immediately impact the information they relay , according to Dr. Dena Bravata , a senior research scientist at Stanford University . Make a Health Pledge and let your friends support you . If you have a goal of walking 8,000 steps and your pedometer shows you 're only halfway there -- you can take a stroll around the block and immediately you 're closer to achieving your goal , she explains . A systematic review she conducted in 2007 on studies about pedometer use showed that participants who used a pedometer increased the number of steps they take per day by more than 2,000 , when compared to people who did n't wear them . While many devices now offer high-tech features like data uploading , any simple step counter can be effective , Bravata says . The key is to maintain a record of your steps and set a specific goal . `` Having a step diary is clearly associated with greater improvements in physical activity . But there is no clear evidence that being able to upload that data makes pedometers more effective , '' she says . Read about other health monitoring gadgets . My experience . Before I can get my Fitbug activated , I have to register it online and download some software . You synch up the Fitbug to your computer via a USB cable . The process if fairly painless and straightforward . I set up a login , am prompted to name my Bug and take a health questionnaire . After that 's completed , I 'm ready to get walking . Despite being described as pocket-sized , the Fitbug is n't exactly sleek . I try clipping it to the pocket of my jeans but find it too clunky and instead settle on keeping it in my bag . I do n't have much time to keep an eye on my daily progress , so it 's a good thing when I receive a text message from Fitbug reminding me to upload my stats . When I do , I 'm fairly surprised at the results . I 've always thought of myself as a fairly active person , but that 's clearly not the case . There is n't one day where I 've broken 10,000 steps . I start to get in the habit of checking my Bug a few times a day and even modify the route I take to work to get some extra mileage in . The verdict . I 'd never really thought about how many steps I take each day and it definitely made me aware of how little I move around , especially when I 'm in the office . Although , I wish the Bug was slimmer -- sometimes I 'd forget to tote my bag with me -- so I lost out on some critical steps . I 'm not good about keeping a step diary , so being able to upload my information definitely made life much easier . Plus , the Bug holds your data for up to two weeks before it is overwritten . The device offers many bells and whistles that an ordinary pedometer does n't . It calculates the calories you burn , you can maintain a food log on the site and there are also online forums where Fitbug users can share their stories and questions . But it also costs more than your average step counter . It 's sold on a subscription basis -- for $ 140 ( or £84 for members in the U.K. ) you get the pedometer and a 12-month subscription . If you have time to make the most of all the special features , the Fitbug is a worthwhile investment . Otherwise , an ordinary pedometer and a notepad will do just fine .
They are an easy way to gauge your level of physical activity . We use the Fitbug to see if it gives our users much - needed information . Sign up for the Vital Signs Health Pledge on Facebook .