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An In-Depth Look at the Best Physical Activity Tracking Apps for Weight Management
by IDS Diabetologist & Weight Management Specialist, Dr Paula Diab
Weight loss has become a multi-billion dollar market lately and that always makes people like myself a little dubious. How much of what we get told is true and how much is clever marketing and advertising? It’s always good to be able to decide what is helpful and what is not! Two very important aspects of weight loss are monitoring your food intake and your physical activity. These are the essential building blocks to managing your weight effectively but are not always the full story.
These days, we have really great tech tools literally at our fingertips to assist with motivating and tracking these essential elements of maintaining good health.
A few months ago, I wrote about being tech-savvy when managing your weight and using apps to track your food intake that can assist you. This month I’ve done some research on the physical activity trackers available.
The best news is that many of these apps are available free of charge and actually work remarkably well. Although I am a firm supporter of pharmaceutical intervention when it is required, even the most expensive and “best” medications still require the fundamentals of a healthy, well-balanced eating plan and regular physical activity if they are going to be optimally effective.
The table below gives a good overview of some of the most popular physical activity trackers available. Some are only available on specific devices and where additional costs are incurred, these are also highlighted.
Why physical activity is important
Although we are trying to move away from the “eat less, move more” rhetoric that focuses purely on behavioral management, we cannot ignore food consumption and physical activity completely when talking about weight management.
Instead of viewing these as stand-alone options, we should view them as the basis of a pyramid. These are the basic building blocks in weight management. Once we have begun mastering these components, we can then add medication, behavioral therapy, other lifestyle modifications and if necessary, surgical intervention. But without these building blocks, other modalities lose their efficacy.
Final Thoughts
Managing diabetes and losing weight can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. But we all have to start somewhere. Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can start today – start with just a 10-minute walk and build up from there. Do what you can and what is within your capability.
Why not try a physical activity tracker that will help to motivate and inspire you and empower you to make the necessary changes to support your health goals?
By integrating these technologies into your daily routine, you’ll be better equipped to manage your diabetes, lose weight, and improve your overall health. Remember, consistency is key, and with the right tools at your fingertips, you can stay motivated and on track toward a healthier, happier you.
We would really value your feedback on any of these apps if you use them as it will assist in providing further information to other clients. If you would like more specific, individualized advice, please reach out and take that first step as we are here to guide and support you. Please email your feedback or questions to paula@integrateddiabetes.com. Keep watching our social platforms and ongoing newsletters for further reviews on activity apps and other tech tools that can assist you.
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