iphone-androidIn today’s society, most people are interested in losing weight and most own smartphones. What do the two have in common? As I’ve recently learned, quite a bit.

I’ve been hearing about apps that purportedly do a very good job at helping people lose weight, so I decided to do a little research. In only a few minutes, I found apps that will provide yoga instruction, help you count calories, allow you to keep a food diary, prepare your own personal workout plan, calculate your heart rate, and much more. These apps can be helpful tools for keeping bariatric surgery patients motivated and focused on their success.

IPhone users may like Lose It! The company website describes the product’s benefits as follows:

“Despite what many ‘experts’ would lead you to believe, weight loss boils down to simple math: calories in vs. calories out. To shed pounds, you have to end each day with a calorie deficit. It sounds easy enough, but studies show that 63 percent of Americans grossly underestimate their daily calorie intake. In fact, the average American consumes a staggering 2,700 calories a day — for many Americans, that’s enough calories to gain up to 8 pounds every month!”

The site goes on to list the five pillars of the Lose It! strategy:

  1. Embrace mindful empowerment. Take control of your body and the foods that you put in it.
  2. Track your calories. There are no points or complicated algorithms to follow. But every snack, taste, and bite counts!
  3. Track your habits. Spot behavior patterns that you can modify to help you meet your goals.
  4. Track your exercise. Learn how to burn more calories in less time and boost your calorie burn.
  5. Benefit from peer support. Your social network inspires you, keeps you accountable, and provides insight and advice.

I don’t endorse this product over any others, but its basic five pillars provide a sound basis for any weight loss plan.

If you’re interested in finding a weight loss app that works for you, the Android Market and the iphone store offer a host of good options.

If you’re ready to determine if weight loss surgery is the right step for you, register today for one of our free seminars.