Speaking of fitness gadgets...

moonlightturk
moonlightturk Posts: 398
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Do we really need them? In the old days people just ate clean naturally and walked/ran as a form of transportation but of course we're on a whole new era...

By gadgets I mean fitness gadgets and food measurement tools such as heart rate monitors, food scales, body fat scales...Gadgets in general that are related to fitness, weight management....

I'm on a super tight buget and really hate to spend money on things other than things that are absoloutely a must, so I'm just curious to know if we truly benefit from these things.


Going on a tangent but I wish there was a gadget that would smack the cupcake out of my hand while it's on the way to my mouth... but guess that's just self-displine.

Replies

  • thedancingleper
    thedancingleper Posts: 158 Member
    I used to do weight loss the old fashioned way. Now that I've got a HRM and a kitchen scale, though, I don't think I could go back. They've been super helpful. In the end they aren't necessary, I guess, but it doesn't hurt to be a little more accurate.
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    Get calipers and a food scale. A decent digital food scale is under $15 and calipers are under $5. Body fat scales are nonsense. HRMs are good, but for activities like Running, walking, and bicycling- the good old fashioned low tech ones- there's tons of well documented ways to estimate calories burned without an HRM. Probably more accurate than a lot of people's HRM burns for those activities, too.

    There's tons of free fitness apps that can be very helpful if you have a smartphone that can be reasonable substitutes for a lot of gadgets.
  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,423 Member
    No, of course we don't need them, all of us could lose weight without them if we put our mind to it.

    But some of them are pretty handy (food scale for example) and some are great toys to play with and motivating when you exercise (GPS watch and iPhone apps).
  • flobeedoodle
    flobeedoodle Posts: 176 Member
    (Good) technology enables humans to work more efficiently. I could probably lose weight without the fitbit, digital food scale, digital person scale, and smart phone with tracking apps and reminders. It's just that without the gadgets, I think keeping track of everything and calculating my calories in and out would have to be my full time job. The gadgets work for me; if they are an unneeded expense and a pain in the *kitten* for you to use, skip them.

    Edit: about "putting one's mind to (weight loss)": that's exactly the point. Technology has the potential to allow us to reduce the cognitive workload of tracking and planning for weight loss, leaving mental resources free for work, learning, and leisure. I am constantly amazed at how awesome technology is, and dumbstruck with a feeling that I live in the fantastical future of science fiction.
  • mfp_1
    mfp_1 Posts: 516 Member
    In the old days we walked everywhere or took public transport. We didn't eat junk food or drink.

    Learn to love running without music in the gym or outdoors. Your body and the sun or rain are all you need.

    But do buy digital food scales.
  • lmarshel
    lmarshel Posts: 674 Member
    If I had it to do all over again, knowing everything I know now, and I was on a really tight budget I would still invest in a food scale. It's been the single most helpful thing my hubby and I use. I could probably do without the HRM (although I do love it) and certainly without the clothes, shoes and such. But I don't think I would have been able to do this as effeciently without the scale.

    Got mine at Wal Mart for about 10 bucks. Best of luck to you! :flowerforyou:
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    Get calipers and a food scale. A decent digital food scale is under $15 and calipers are under $5. Body fat scales are nonsense. HRMs are good, but for activities like Running, walking, and bicycling- the good old fashioned low tech ones- there's tons of well documented ways to estimate calories burned without an HRM. Probably more accurate than a lot of people's HRM burns for those activities, too.

    There's tons of free fitness apps that can be very helpful if you have a smartphone that can be reasonable substitutes for a lot of gadgets.

    Wise words from MoreBean!
  • BigGuy47
    BigGuy47 Posts: 1,768 Member
    I think gadgets can sometimes keep us going. A little push if you will. Not at all necessary, but sometimes worth the small expense. $20 on a food scale? Sure. $4000 on a high end treadmill? Not gonna happen. I'm too cheap.
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