Weight Loss in the Digital Age

In the spirit of New Year’s resolutions, PC Magazine wrote a great article detailing the truth about losing weight in the digital age through fitness trackers and apps. While fitness trackers may be the latest fad, you’ll still need a few more things to successfully lose weight including: a plan, a toolkit and a great support system to keep you motivated. Part of the weight loss problem is that too many people wearing activity trackers stop using their new gadgets within just six months. So, how do we suggest staying on track?

Self-Monitoring: One of the key components of effective technology-based weight loss intervention is self-monitoring. In order to see changes, you must be involved and committed to your life-style changes. The great thing about technology is that it can help to simplify the monitoring process including recording food intake and tracking physical activity.
Remember, it is important to go beyond just tracking your daily steps. To get the most out of your fitness trackers, you’ll also want to be mindful of the calories you consume on a daily basis and be sure to stay under a target caloric goal, individualized for your body and goals. Several trackers actually have food-logging apps to complement your activity efforts.

Add A Heart Rate Monitor: In order to get more accurate calorie burn estimates, we highly suggest incorporating a heart rate monitor into your daily life and while you exercise.  Monitoring your heart rate allows you to focus on keeping your heart rate lower than where you might think it should be, so that you can exercise for a maximal amount of time and actually expend the greatest number of calories. While some fitness trackers have built-in heart monitors, you can also buy a device that only does heart rate monitoring.

Join A Community: In this digital age, social engagement has a huge effect on weight loss. Some smart activity trackers have apps that allow you to connect with other users, also working to lose weight. Today, there are a number of online forums for both men and women that are looking to share their stories, in need of encouragement and available to provide support for others. Additionally, friendly competition can often be enough to keep you actively monitoring your own data and maintaining your determination to reach your weight-loss goals.
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Don’t Give Up: No matter how much technology you have available, none of it will truly help unless you keep your promise to yourself to commit to your long-term goals. Losing weight can be difficult, so remember to always be patient with yourself and work to find what techniques work best for you. Medical Metabolic Specialists is here to provide you with accurate information, consistent encouragement and healthy, creative ideas to help you reach your weight-loss goals.