Hehe - I was so devestated when I lost it! I don't know if you can buy them seperately because I think they're linked to individual "watch" components (the bit on your hand). Although the equipment at the gym picks up my strap and displays on the equipment I'm using...

I'm wishing I had a calorie counter on mine. Perhaps if I get a new contract at work, I'll buy one...

Before i started PT, I went through phases using my HRM... got bored with it and stopped. But now I feel naked without it if I'm doing any sort of exercise!

And your GP is right - a heart rate alone is just a number. It depends on various other symptoms as well such as the ones he mentioned. A heart rate of 200 can be just as bad as 120 if you're having other symptoms such as light headedness, nausea etc. But I think tracking it for a few weeks is a brilliant idea!

Where did you get your pretty red one?