December 15, 2019: Fitness Trackers
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In our world of instant gratification, it’s no wonder that every company under the sun has begun developing electronics to help people reach their fitness goals. But, are they really helpful? This week, we’re going to talk about what fitness trackers can do for you and if they really work to get you to your health goals.
Electronics have taken over yet another facet of our lives: our health and fitness. If you look around at the people you see throughout your day, chances are that you’ll see many of them with some form of fitness tracker.
Because some of these gadgets can tell you everything from how many steps you’ve taken to your heart rate to suggestions to get up and move around if you’ve been sedentary for too long, the price tags run the entire range of prices. For those of you who haven’t taken the plunge yet, you may be wondering what tracker could work for you.
What can they do?
Trackers have a variety of different functions, and some of them work better than others. Here’s a rundown of what some of these trackers can do as well as the technology behind them:
Steps. Regardless of the brand, model, or price point, most fitness trackers offer the ability to count steps.
Check Your Vital Signs. Another common ability for fitness trackers is a heart rate monitor to measure your pulse while you are working out as well as when you are at rest. A handful can also use clues such as perspiration and temperature to determine how hard you’re working out.
Calorie Counter. A helpful tool for those who are working out to lose weight, many bands offer the ability to determine approximately how many calories you have burned during a workout. Note that these aren’t terribly accurate, but they give you a general idea.
Sleep Monitor. Many fitness trackers offer an option to monitor your sleep patterns. They can detect how well and how long you have slept.
Phone Sync. Some companies, like Apple, work hard to ensure their products all work in tandem. That is no different for their fitness trackers such as those found in the Apple Watch. Working closely with a smartphone app (in this case an Apple iPhone app), you can track your activity and sleep in real time to help you create healthy habits.
Are they worth it and do they work?
These trackers were created with our connected lives in mind. The idea is that being able to know how well you are doing in a quest toward a healthy lifestyle, in real time, would help you stay on track. Additionally, because many of the trackers can be programmed to allow you to share your information with others for the purpose of a daily challenge, the accountability factor could also be persuasive toward making you stay the course.
Unfortunately, research has proven to be hard to interpret. Some studies have shown that, yes, the use of a fitness tracker has had a positive impact on owner’s lives. Other studies have demonstrated that there was no change in attitude or that more desirable results could be attributed to the trackers themselves.
It really comes down to a personal choice. A fitness tracker isn’t going to do you any good if all you do is sit on the couch watching Netflix while wearing it. However, if you’re someone who is goal oriented and likes instant feedback, working toward a health goal using the tracking device could motivate you to succeed. Before you go all in, though, research the different options and price points to determine the best device to help you reach your goals. You don’t need anything fancy, in most cases.
Next Sunday, we’ll talk about how to survive a week without sugar so you can break your craving.
Want some expert help with reaching your health goals painlessly? Check out my programs! We’ll get everything taken care of in a way that fits into your current lifestyle so you never have to think about your health again.
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I hope you have a wonderful week,
Kelly
Kelly Morgan, Ph.D.
Tsirona - www.tsirona.com
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