Monitor Burning Calories with these 3 Tracking Tools
A Pedometer counts your steps
There’s a piece of business wisdom that goes something like “what you measure gets done.” So I’ve decided to apply that to measuring burning of calories.
The theory behind the business case is that if it’s important something gets done then by putting a control and monitoring process in place to track progress then it’s more likely to get done. The mere act of putting the monitoring process in place is a guarantee that progress will be made – think motivation here.
Having worked once in the corporate world I can attest to the truth of this wisdom. Now it doesn’t guarantee completion of the goal – but progress will be made.
Taking that same wisdom and applying it to losing calories, or at least measuring the loss of calories, we can see there are a number of devices on the market that can help with tracking our goals towards weight loss – and provide us motivation to get fit and lose weight.
Pedometer:
A Pedometer is a device that measures the steps you take. They’re worn on the hip and measure your body movement. You type in your stride length and then forget about it. They are extremely accurate. Pedometers can calculate the distance you walked, and if you type in your weight, then they can even calculate the approximate number of calories burned.
If you’re using it for a weight loss monitoring device then think in terms of 8,000 – 10,000 steps per day when you initially start out. You’d be surprised how quickly you reach and up your goal as you find the motivation to walk more when outdoors just to make your target. Before you purchase a Pedometer check out this Pedometer article at about.com.
Heart Rate Monitor:
A Heart Rate Monitor (HRM) device provides vital feedback on your calorie burning exercise routine. It measures your pulse (or heartbeat) to provide feedback on how hard you’re working and if you’re within the target zone for the exercise you’re doing.
It’s a level of sophistication above the Pedometer because it’ll provide you proof progress is being made in your fitness level which when married with an exercise for weight loss program translates into calories burned. A heart rate monitor can also be used to measures your pulse at rest – which should slow as you get fitter – and allows you to measure how quickly after a workout your pulse returns to rest. The quicker you return to your “at rest” rate the fitter you are.
An HRM can be expensive device as they usually come with a watch and a chest strap. Depending on the sophistication you can pay over $100 but these watches also have lots of lights and alarms on them which aren’t really necessary for exercise monitoring. For my weight loss clients who are engaging in exercise I get them to take a look at the PACE Heart Rate Monitor watch as it’s basic, has everything they need and reasonably priced.
Personal Fitness Trainer Devices:
There’s a new breed of devices streaming onto the market that are being categorized as Personal Fitness Trainer devices.
One of the more interesting is from Fitbit who manufactures a small device you keep on you round the clock. It’s small and easily clips onto jeans, T-shirt, nightshirt, etc. It’ll upload the motion data collected to the Fitbit online servers where you can access details about calories burned, quality of sleep, and whether you’re on track with your program or not.
You’ll need to provide the online system with information about your normal calorie intake data so it can determine calories burned based on your steps and motion.
The device at the moment sells for $99 and you can find out more at their web site here: http://www.fitbit.com/
Burning calories is hard enough work without wondering whether you’re doing enough to meet your goals. With these devices I’ve covered today you can choose your own sophistication and price point for a device that’ll measure your calorie burning progress and give you the motivation to reach your weight loss goals.
I’m in your corner.
Erika Slater, CH
Free At Last Hypnosis
erika@smoke-free-at-last.com
www.smoke-free-at-last.com
Filed Under: Weight Loss
