Health and weight loss gadgets
After a summer packed with sporting excellence, Brits everywhere will no doubt have dug out the trainers and promised to get fit. But if your resolve is already weakening by now, you're probably not alone.
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The world of technology, however, may provide just the extra motivation you need. Here's a round-up of gadgets on the market that might just inspire you to weight loss success.
Apps
There's an app for just about everything these days and health and fitness is no different. For weight loss and fitness in one, try Lose It!. Free on both Apple and Android, it allows you to look up the calories in your diet as well as track your exercise. By inputting your current weight and your goal, this handy little app will estimate how many calories you should be eating to reach your target. You can even scan barcodes in the supermarket for instant nutritional info.
Alternatively, those wanting to really get fit should try Nike Training Club - the personal trainer in your pocket. This free iPhone app comes complete with 85 workouts, ranging from 30 to 45 minutes, for cardio, toning and strength, it also allows you to draw music from your own playlist for extra motivation. And as a reward for your hard work you can unlock new workouts.
Online tools
Before the Internet went mobile, people across the globe were already using the world wide web to help them lose weight. There are now hundreds of web-based weight loss tools and communities but if you don't know where to start try SparkPeople.
A comprehensive site featuring everything from nutritional information and calorie-tracking to a huge online community of people who know just what you're going through. Connecting with other dieters means you can encourage each other, which can be incredibly useful when you're having a demoralised day. And best of all it's entirely free.
Portion control
All the fitness apps in the world won't help you if you keep on overeating, and that's where the portion control comes into play. The Diet Plate is scientifically calibrated to show accurately how much of each food group you should be eating, all measured out on the plate itself. That means no more yo-yo dieting, no more knocking out entire food groups, and combined with regular exercise, is a healthy way to lose or manage your weight. Diabetics should consult their doctor before using the Diet Plate.
Fitness gaming
If you're not a fitness fanatic, the thought of sweating it out in the gym or pounding the streets can often be off-putting. Thankfully video games manufacturers have come through with a huge range of fitness games allowing you to do the hard work at home.
Wii Fit Plus, for example, includes more than 40 training activities to keep you interested. The balance board calculates your weight and BMI and allows you to customise your routines to target specific problem areas. Suitable for adults and children of all fitness levels, it's not the cheapest weight loss option - but it is the first computer game to be endorsed by the NHS.
If the Wii Fit still doesn't float your boat, try the Just Dance range for Xbox, Wii or PS3 instead. Featuring pop, hip-hop, rock, country and funk, tracks, you might just find a boogie more appealing than a treadmill, and the fact that you can do it with friends means it's more social too.
Pedometer
The simplest of weight loss gadgets, pedometers have been around for years. These small wearable gadgets track the number of steps you take throughout your day, which is great for when you're working or just going about your daily life. According to the NHS, walking 10,000 steps a day can significantly improve your health, which gives everyone something to aim for.
They range in price from as little as £5.99 to as much as £115. That might seem expensive, but gadgets like the Fitbit Ultra Wireless Activity Tracker don't just count your steps, but track all the details of your daily activity, including calories burned and your sleep quality. Plus it wirelessly uploads whenever you pass within 15 feet of your PC or Mac so you can view the results when you finally get to sit down!
Have you tried any fitness gadgets? What worked for you? Leave your comments below...
