Using a fitness tracker is a convenient way to stay on top of your goals.
My first exposure to fitness tracking was in 2015 when the Fitbit was gaining popularity in the U.S. and my employer purchased one for all employees.
I used it for daily step tracking and participated in step challenges.
I admit. It was addicting.
Today, I use a fitness watch to monitor my steps, workouts, sleep, and other metrics important to me. You might say I’m a lifetime tracker.
But while these devices can be helpful for some people like me, for others, they can lead to a sense of inadequacy.
So, you might wonder if you should buy one to lose weight.
The answer: It depends.
If you are comfortable with numbers, a fitness tracker can be an invaluable resource
Indeed. A wearable tracker can be valuable and fun to use if you are comfortable with numbers.
By keeping track of your numbers and other data, you can stay on track with your goals and make adjustments as needed.
Here are a few things to consider:
- You like working with numbers, similar to an engineer, actuary, accountant, or researcher. These people rely on data to make decisions.
- You have ambitious goals, rely on, or get paid based on your physical appearances, like athletes, bodybuilders, models, actors, and other paid professionals.
- You view the data strictly as facts because you know that numbers and charts don't define you. In this case, a fitness tracker can be beneficial because you can consider it simply to be just that - facts!
Fitness trackers can lead to a sense of inadequacy for some people.
For instance.
While using a fitness tracker, it’s important to remember that the numbers you see on the screen are just numbers.
But, people in this group often think of their weight, heart rate variability, or sleep quality as an indication of their character.
You may fall into this group if:
-
You view the actions as a task and tell yourself things such as, "I have to track all this stuff to reach my weight loss goals." -
You feel like you don't have a choice, and remind yourself that exercising is what the doctor told you to do. -
You only exercise or eat better so you don't feel guilty. For example, you do the action to avoid the feeling of guilt about not exercising or not eating better.
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So, is the fitness tracker right for you?
If you want to track your workouts and overall progress, and stay motivated to reach your weight loss goals. Then yes, it could be the right choice.
In fact. Approximately 28% of adults age 50-plus own a wearable device based on a recent AARP survey.
Wearable activity trackers do provide feedback in real time, which means you can make adjustments as necessary.
For example, tracking your activity may inspire you to walk more. Up to 40 minutes more a day, according to the Mayo Clinic.
And taking an extra 1,800 steps per day could mean that you’ll lose weight faster.
Sound good?
Try it out and see if you like i
But a wearable tracker is not entirely necessary to lose weight.
Think about it.
Getting fit, losing weight, and getting healthy is nothing new, and people were doing it long before the Oura, Fitbit, Galaxy, and Apple watches came along.
And while it’s great for tracking your daily steps and other actions, it may not be the right choice if you get frustrated after using it. Or you lose interest after using it for a while.
For example, one study found that activity trackers affected how much people exercised but had smaller benefits for fitness and weight loss efforts
Is this fitness tracker working for me?
So, if you’re using one currently, check in with yourself periodically and ask the following question:
Is this working for me?
Consider the following:
- How is using it affecting your stress level? Are you motivated?
- Is the data valuable? Or does it make you feel like you can't measure up?
- Do you feel guilt or frustration?
- And finally, are you reaching your goals with it?
If you don’t like the answers to these questions, you may want to take a break from tracking so intently and focus on more enjoyable ways to see progress.
This is where working with a coach may be a better option.
A coach can help you put those numbers into perspective, so you can see results that matter.
Get your Personalized Blueprint to identify the right actions to track your goals.
With my Fit and Vibrant Blueprint Assessment, you’ll remove the guesswork and have the information you need to get started on the right weight loss goals.
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Coach Deatra Davis
Deatra Davis (Dee Davis) is a healthy body coach, trainer and functional hormone educator who helps women over 50 transform their bodies through evidence-based techniques and behavior change. Her signature approach emphasizes a well-researched blend of balanced nutrition, movement, sleep, stress management and mindset change. Dee also shares with her clients her personal experience of recovering from Stage 3 Sarcoidosis and losing more than 20 pounds through menopause. She empowers women to powerfully take control of their health, so they can live a fit and vibrant lifestyle with strength and longevity, inner peace, joy and happiness.
