Tracking your weight loss has a number of benefits. More than anything, it can help you stay motivated when you hit a plateau or get discouraged by the long road ahead. In addition to tracking your weight loss, you also can keep a record of the number of inches you lose, whether your clothing size changes and, if possible, your body fat.
Journals
For those who prefer to work the old-fashioned way, paper journals are the way to go. You can buy weight loss diaries that come with pre-printed columns and areas to input your weight, calories consumed and burned, and inches lost. Or you can use a small notebook and create your own journal by simply recording your weight every time you step on the scale. If you prefer something a bit more sophisticated, a number of free websites allow you to track your progress by offering journals, worksheets, charts and databases where you can search, record and retrieve weight loss information (see Resources).
Digital Scales
Digital scales usually come with a small built-in computer that lets you create your own profile by entering your height, age, sex and current weight. While some scales can calculate your body mass index, or BMI, others will tell you your body fat percentage. Digital scales often come with a built-in memory, so you can save your last few weight-ins, as well as your initial weight. Use this tool to compare and analyze your progress.
Unusual Tools
Plenty of weight loss tracking tools hit the market on a regular basis. They often are simply updated versions of popular products, while other tools are quirky items that can make tracking your weight loss efforts fun. For example, you can buy a techno version of the old pedometer. Instead of just recording how many steps you take, a more sophisticated version can record all your movements and calculate how many calories you're burning. You can carry this type of device in a pocket or clip it to your belt. You can even use it when you're sleeping to track calories burned while twisting and turning in bed. Other unusual tracking tools, according to TrendHunter.com, include interactive body fat trackers you can upload to your blog, as well as fitness scales that send the weight information directly to your phone or your computer, where you can save it for later reference.
Member Comments