Weight loss has been the hot topic in the U.S. for a few decades now and it should come as no surprise that rapidly moving technological advances are playing a part in the struggle against unwanted pounds. Whether it’s to shed a few extra pounds for vanity’s sake or dropping serious weight to prevent serious medical issues caused by obesity problems, there are several high-tech gadgets that can aid in a weight-loss routine.
Sleep Management Systems
While sleeping may not seem like it has much to do with calorie burning, getting the proper amount of rest is essential for the body to restore and rejuvenate after working out. There are now several products on the market to help monitor sleep. Wearing a soft headband that is connected wirelessly to a smartphone device can keep track of how much time an individual is spending in the four different sleep stages (wake, REM, deep and light) and measures sleep quality.
Calorie Tracking Devices
There’s a myriad of calorie tracking related phone applications, but there’s also tiny calorie tracking devices that do the grunt work. Trackers like the Fitbit work with a 3-D motion sensor and measures things like how many steps taken, distance traveled, stairs climbed, and calories burned. It’s a handy device for those looking to make lifestyle changes to the daily routine.
Heart Rate Variability System
There are now devices people can sync with their smartphone app for measuring the heart rate variability. According to Joe Dowdell in an article on Shape, this is useful for monitoring the amount of stress the body is under or how much time is needed to fully recover after a training session. It’s good for both athletes and those just getting into a fitness program.
Heart Rate Monitor
According to Dr.Alok Vinod Kulkarni of iCliniq, one of the biggest ways to battle weight gain and obesity is to not be sedentary, and work physical activity into your daily routine as much as possible.
Getting the heart rate up is the key ingredient to losing weight and for those needing to evaluate the effectiveness and intensity of their workout routine, there are plenty of heart rate monitors on the market. Monitoring heart rate during exercise allows individuals to determine a balanced workout as well as upload information to websites to record long-term progress.
Apps
The proliferation of smartphones has led to a veritable app forest. Among the most popular and useful apps are several fitness apps that offer vast databases to track calorie intake and expenditure from food and activities. According to an article by RealSimple, a website that touts the simplest solutions to life’s problems, workout and diet journals have long been used for helping overweight individuals track their weight loss efforts; this just makes it easier and more convenient.
Video Games for Fitness
There’s no longer an excuse for getting plump on the couch playing video games because now there’s a whole range of activity-oriented games available for majoring gaming systems including Nintendo Wii, Playstation, and Xbox 360. For the many people who aren’t health fanatics this is a good way to incorporate physical activity into entertainment they already enjoy.
Interactive Websites and Social Networks
One of the best ways to keep up with a fitness routine and the diet on track is through support. Even if it’s not possible to find a workout buddy, there’s now large numbers of people heading to online communities to share goals, successes, and show support for fellow participants. The people using these support communities tend to keep off the weight at higher rates than individuals who don’t have a community.