The decision to start eating better and maintain a healthy weight is not something that can be made overnight, or on January 1 every year. It’s like quitting smoking. You have to be ready to commit to what it takes to do it. Sometimes that commitment can use a little boost. For those quitting smoking it could be investing in nicotine patches, for those wanting to get fit it could be investing in a fitness tracker.
There is no doubt that billion-dollar industries have risen from our desire to be healthier. It is human nature to search for the “path of least resistance” to get anything done. The truth is, if there was an easy way to quit smoking or lose weight, everyone would be smoke-free and running marathons.
The fitness tracker appears to be the latest craze in the quest to be healthy. Some of these little devices use accelerometer technology, similar to that in a Wii remote, to sense user movement. It’s simple to use. You either clip it on or wear it as a bracelet and away you go. Technology allows you to keep track of your movements with an app on your phone or on your computer.
Reviews of such items have been mixed. Some observers say that the devices simply gather information from users that can be sold to marketing companies.
Depending on how you use them, this could be true.
However, if you use a tracker that helps you boost your efforts to move and eat healthy, it can be a worthwhile investment. If you keep in mind that the tracker is not a medical device and will not simply melt away pounds by being on your wrist, if used correctly, they can encourage you to stay on track with your fitness program.
Before you make a decision to purchase a device, do your research. Talk to your doctor and talk to friends and family who use such devices and listen to their experiences. Commit when you are ready and fitness will be an attainable goal.
