The Fitbit Charge monitors the user’s steps taken, distance traveled (on foot of course), calories burned, flights of stairs climbed, number of active minutes (when the heart rate is above a certain level), and heart rate. It also tracks sleep and has an alarm to wake you up. It keeps track of these number 24/7 and all the information is available to view on the display of the device. It is then sent to the app where the user can view their fitness history. These features are beneficial to a user’s fitness goals because you want to make sure you are getting at least 10,000 steps in, as well as meeting the other goals that Fitbit will help you set up. The great thing about the Fitbit is that while you’re wearing it, it provides you with a little more motivation to keep active. The tracker also has advanced features that know the movements of certain exercises and logs them onto your Fitbit profile. Fitbit also has a community where you can compete with family and friends to keep active and have fun with the competition. To say the least, this piece of technology is a great device to help you reach and exceed your fitness goals. The price tag is $149.95 but it will prove worth it if you are using it every day.
The next item I would like to recommend is a little bit cheaper than the Fitbit Charge. It is the free app called MyFitnessPal. I downloaded this app at the end of last year and it has blown me away. This app is so incredible that I feel guilty about it being free. You start by creating a profile with MyFitnessPal. You enter your gender, height, weight, and weight loss/gain goal. MyFitnessPal then creates a profile for you and tells you exactly how many calories you should eat per day.
After you finish your profile, your job is to log your food into MyFitnessPal every time you eat. The amount of food MyFitnessPal has in their database is astounding. I’ve never scanned a food that MyFitnessPal did not have. All you have to do is scan the barcode or search the food and it logs it into your daily diary. It keeps track of all the nutrients each food has in it and shows you on a diagram. The diagram has your total amount of each nutrient consumed (protein, carbs, fiber, sugar, fats, cholesterol, sodium, potassium, Vitamin A and C, calcium, and iron), your goal for the day, and either the amount you have left available in your food intake or the percent daily value you still need. MyFitnessPal also keeps track of the amount of water you drink throughout the day too. A benefit of MyFitnessPal is that it keeps track of your steps and you can also add exercise and you are allowed my calories and other nutrients if you have an active day.