Weight Loss Technology: Gimmick or Game Changer?
One of the latest trends in weight loss is the use of technology to help people get fit, to get a better picture of their movement and exercise habits. Gadgets such as the Wii Fit (a few years old now), and these fit bands, connected to smart phones and tablets, are selling by the bag load.
The big question is- will all this technology make a difference helping people to become fitter, healthier and, in the long run, lose weight?
With more than 30% of the population overweight, we obviously need to motivate people to change their habits and move more often. But is technology going to help reverse this trend? The market is now being flooded with fit bits, iWatches and other tracking devices that measure your movement and then calculate the number of calories you burn.
The big question is will these devices motivate you to change your lifestyle factors to improve your heath and ultimately lose weight? Will the price you pay for these items nudge you towards making use of them, and becoming a healthier person? We can only hope that they do.
My opinion is that this trend will be just like all others pieces of fitness equipment with a massive up take, people spending 100s if not 1000s of dollars in equipment that will be used for 8-12 weeks and then they will end up in the bottom of the drawer never to be seen again. Not the ideal situation I know.
Unfortunately weight loss programs and healthy lifestyle changes require the person to want to change. They need to be motivated to implement changes and keep them going over a longer period of time. In my experience this is one of the hardest aspects of any health and fitness program, it is where people fail, usually because they do not have an important enough reasons to change: a why!
So should you invest in this technology to help you lose weight and improve your health? Are you going to use it? Is it going to motivate you to get started? Will you use it on an ongoing basis to improve you movement habits? If you answer all these questions with YES then give it a try. If not, I suggest you spend the money on a trainer. Make an appointment; Turn up each week; Be kept accountable.
No watch, fit bit, or other fancy device will motivate you to get out of bed in the morning or follow up if you don’t, like a trainer or a fitness-accountability partner will.
