High Tech Health

No other time in history has provided so many technological advances to aid in weight loss and fitness. Have you taken advantage of all that the 21st century has to offer?

In exploring options for high tech weight loss, the World Wide Web takes the lead. All you have to do is plug the word diet or fitness into a search engine and you immediately have more information at your disposal than you could possible use in a lifetime of dieting.

Here are some of my picks for great online diet and exercise resources:

Diet.Com provides useful free tips, healthy recipes, and a customized weight loss program.

StartYourDiet.com offers a free online diet calendar which will help you set up a diet plan and track your weight loss goals. 

MyFitnessPal.com has a free online calorie counter, and you can find nutrition facts for more than 450,000 foods.  

MyPyramid.gov advises you about nutrition and food groups. You can plan a healthy menu, ask questions, print materials and listen to podcasts.

FitnessProgramsOnline.com has computerized fitness programs and free workout plans.  

Most of the better-known diet programs now offer e-dieting as an option. Examples of these online programs include WeightWatchers.com, eDiets.com, JennyCraigAtHome.com, DietToGo.com, and NutriSystem.com to name a few.

In addition to online dieting resources, there is an amazing wealth of technological advances you can tap into for your motivation and success.

There are audio books you can listen to while walking or working out. You can download music from iTunes on your mp3 player to boogie the pounds away during exercise. Nothing like a good play list to keep you moving.

What about downloading a calorie counter or diet tracker to your phone? Or putting your household video game consoles to work for your personal fitness goals?

Nintendo offers Wii Fit, combining fitness and fun to incorporate into your excercise routine.

Xbox Kinect has a number of games for fitness including Dance Central, Active 2, Your Shape Fitness Evolved, and Body and Brain Connection in addition to Kinect Sports and Adventures.

Sony Playstation Move offers competitive sports activity games to get you up and running in your own living room.

If you don’t have the benefit of one of these new gaming systems, you can invest in an interactive plug and play game to get you up and off the couch.

These systems plug directly into your television console and can be purchased relatively economically (average cost $15-$30). Plug and play games are available for purchase online, at gaming stores, and at most technology retail providers.

Technological advances in our automated society may have contributed to our nation’s epidemic of obesity. A hundred years ago, no one could have imagined driving up in a motor vehicle to order food from a box and pick it up in a bag at the next window.

We are definitely a society of modern convenience and aggressive technology. However, there is no reason you can’t make technology work in your favor to get moving in the right direction for your personal gain (or loss).

This week on your destination wellness toward fitness and better health, budget some time to explore the many resources available to you at the touch of a button. Take advantage of all that modern technology has to offer.

Everyone is invited to join our Community of Losers. There are no fees. Please e-mail me for more details. As always, I hope to see less of you soon.