Positive Habits

patb58mfp

I am back here on MFP after a very long absence. Despite much activity here in 2022, this is my first post.

I'm working through an experiment which may be helpful to me. Recently I came across a journalling app that incorporates AI. Yes, I know…. it may sound corny, but please bear with me. Today, after adding my few paragraphs, here's the AI generated "feedback".

"It sounds like you're feeling a sense of progress and energy in your weight loss journey, which is a wonderful place to be. This momentum can be a powerful ally, helping to reinforce positive habits and choices. It seems like you're in a phase where you're open to exploring new strategies and ideas, which can lead to even more growth and success. As you continue, consider how this motivation can be sustained and what small, consistent actions can support your journey."

"Key Insight: Momentum in weight loss can be harnessed by exploring new strategies and sustaining motivation through small, consistent actions."

Whether I / we view something like this as wonderful or as very scary is a debatable question. In the meantime, I'll continue bravely with the experiment.

Best vibes to everyone.

Pat.

cmriverside

Ha. Basically the exact thing we always say in these forums.

Wait. Maybe (is it possible?) AI is using OUR ANSWERS!

/end sarcasm

age_is_just_a_number

In addition to my own tracking, I use Coach Viva’s Body Fat % calculator. It gives similar guidance. https://bodyfat.coachviva.com/

cmriverside

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/48658331#Comment_48658331

I don't know if you're somehow financially incentivized to keep pushing this influencer…but body fat can't be calculated online or by some random measuring…

elisa123gal

That sounds like a lot of fun and a new thing to do to gain information and motivation. Nothing wrong with being new a modern. If you get skinny doing it.. report back! ha.

age_is_just_a_number

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/48658336#Comment_48658336

I am not affiliated with them in any way. Nor have a paid for their service. I just like their videos and other resources, so thought I’d share them in the MFP community. Other MFP people have responded that they’ve also found videos I’ve posted helpful and informative. I’m sorry if you feel I’m ‘pushing’ anything on anyone. I’m just sharing my own personal experience. This particular thread was about AI assistance. I thought my reply was relevant because it also provides insights into how you are doing.
Regarding BF%:
I also use HealthStatus’ calculator, which uses a variety of measurements and provides results from four different well known and recognized algorithms…. US Army, US Navy, US Marine and YMCA. I also use a bio impedance scale. Then I average all the results. I know Dexa scan is supposed to be the gold standard. Where I live, you need to have a referral from my family doctor to get a Dexa scan. He wasn’t so quick to just provide me with that and cautioned that it was exposing my body to a lot of radiation for some additional data at a point in time that isn’t really going to change the way I eat or exercise, so what’s the point in paying for a Dexa scan.
BF% regardless of how it is measured is at best only an educated guess. What really matters is that the method of measurement is consistently applied, then look at the trend over time.
Have a great day.

Example of the Coach Viva body fat tracker and messaging:

PAV8888

None of the methods is truly very gold which is why researchers have moved to multi compartment models using multiple types of scans at the same time. That said DXA/DEXA (and the less convenient dunk tank) remain the approachable gold standards us rubes can access. I suppose a rich rube might be able to get in an MRI machine too.

Usually bone density scans require a referral. They are a separate setting on a DXA scan machine (or at least on the older one I saw in action while chatting with the owner of the toy) as they are trying to go slightly deeper.

In terms of radiation exposure it adds to your yearly take about 3-10 microSieverts. Compare that to 5 added by a dental X-ray. Or 3 added by a 5 hour flight.

I am not going to argue that it materially adds to your information stock. I did a series of DEXA scans and I very much enjoyed having the information. But materially? I don't think I materially changed anything.

Actually, I will walk that back a bit. I did use a couple of the dexa scans that were done 3 months apart as secondary validation to do what I already felt that I wanted to do… which was to slow down to maintenance vs continuing to try to push for more weight loss.