Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/447803
Health and Wellness Magazine • 71 Local doctors say the number of patients using these gadgets continues to rise, and the trackers can be useful tools, raising people's awareness about their movement and sleep habits and providing inspiration. Since the introduction of the FitBit in 2008, the market is now flooded with options. Most trackers monitor exertion, sitting, walking, running and sleeping and then wirelessly transmit the data to a central website or app that then gives users an overview of their habits. While current trackers do not monitor activities such as swimming, yoga or weight-lifting, people can log these manually into the apps or websites along with their daily food intake to gain a more detailed synopsis. Research shows self-monitoring is one of the best ways to motivate people to lose weight, and fitness trackers offer an easy method of doing that, says Dr. Rebecca Andrick, an obesity medicine specialist with Weigh to Wellness in Denver. Kelly Elliot, a registered dietician with the National Bariatric Center in Lone Tree, runs support groups for people who are trying to lose weight or who have undergone weight-loss surgery, and she says at least half of her members use fitness trackers. "The trackers allow people to see results before they see other improvements. They see their increased steps from the week before or their decreased caloric intake sooner than they may see actual weight loss, but the instant gratification of seeing some progress encourages them to push harder," Elliot says. Generally, the trackers give users a snapshot of their overall lifestyle, initially causing an epiphany (I'm not moving nearly as much as I'd thought!). The intended result: a change in habits and activity level. Doctors can also monitor the trackers, allowing a better partnership with their patients, Andrick says. Doctors are seeing results, a boon considering the obesity epidemic and its effect on the health care industry. For instance, Dr. Robert Greenhow, a sports medicine and joint specialist with Peak Orthopedics and Spine in Lone Tree, hopes the resulting weight loss will lower the number of baby boomers in his office with arthritis pain and knee-replacement needs. "The more people can exercise and lose weight, the better they tend to feel. This helps to delay the need for medications, injections, and joint replacement surgery," Greenhow says. Trackers aren't magic, however; the user still has to do the work, he says. Garcia Berry, who has maintained her weight loss even after a total knee replacement last year, says she's having continued success, nearing her lowest weight ever. "It really does help me stay conscious of moving and work toward my fitness goals." Maria Garcia Berry shows off her Nike Fuel Band, which helps keep her moving toward her fitness goals. ToP-THree, HigHesT-seLLing FiTness Trackers Product FitBit Flex Jawbone uP24 nike+ FuelBand se cost $99.95 $149.99 $149.00 keeps track of steps, activity duration, length and depth of sleep steps, activity duration, length and depth of sleep steps, activity duration, activity intensity, length of sleep works with ios, android, Mac, Pc ios, android ios, android "The trackers allow people to see results before they see other improvements ... the instant gratification of seeing some progress encourages them to push harder."