Increases in body weight occur when the amount of calories consumed by the body exceed the amount of calories used by the body, and decreases in body weight occur when the reverse happens – less calories are consumed than used. One pound of body weight is equal to 3,500 calories, so in order to lose 1 pound, 3,500 more calories must be expended than consumed. The fact is, weight gain, loss and maintenance is not complicated or technical. However, accurately tracking the burning of calories or the intake of calories has many associated hazards.
Who has the time?
If you’ve ever been asked to track your activities at work in, say, 15-minute increments, you know how time-consuming it can be. It often seems as though you end up spending more time tracking your activities than actually doing the activities. In addition, plenty of people who try to track their daily caloric intake find it difficult, especially if you eat away from home where ingredients and portion sizes are not readily identifiable. It is a common occurrence for people to underestimate the amount of calories they consume.
Similarly, it is difficult to monitor the calories expended during daily activities. A pedometer is a useful, relatively inexpensive device for tracking steps, but it doesn’t help at all to calculate calories burned while engaging in activities other than those which include walking or running. To determine the number of calories expended every day during activities such as sleeping, working at the computer, gardening, etc., you are back to activity chart look-ups and time-tracking again; difficult and time-consuming and unfortunately, not very accurate.
BodyBugg Info
Several years ago, a calorie-tracking device was created by a company called BodyMedia. It is an armband, currently marketed under the name BodyBugg. Containing 4 different sensors, it very accurately tracks calorie expenditure all day, regardless of what type of activity you are engaged in.
When it first appeared, the cost for the BodyBugg was in the range of $500, but recently the prices have come down. You can now purchase a BodyBugg without display for under $200, which includes a 6-month subscription to an on-line program that helps track calories consumed to give you an overall picture of your caloric intake and outflow and weight change over time. That price was found on the BodyBugg website, but at the time of this writing was a ‘limited time offer’. Once your free subscription period ends, the monthly fee is in the range of $10.
What Does it Measure?
The BodyBugg is designed to provide accurate measures throughout the day of how many calories are being burned. It does this through a combination of data compiled by the 4 sensors contained within the armband, which should be worn during almost all waking hours for accuracy.
Accelerometer – this sensor measures external forces upon your body through use of a micro-electro-mechanical sensor. It is most useful in tracking motion.
Heat Flux – tracks how much heat is given off by the body, indicative of physical activity.
Galvanic Skin Response – measures skin conductivity which can be affected by sweat from physical exertion, and also by stress.
Skin Temperature – differences in skin temperature throughout the day can be used in conjunction with the other sensors to detect the amount of physical exertion.
In clinical testing, the BodyBugg armband was found to be over 90% accurate in it’s overall calculations of caloric exertion. And it’s all done without the need for spending a lot of time logging activities and adding up calories expended. The BodyBugg is now in its third generation and has gained popularity through its use on the popular TV show ‘The Biggest Loser’.
A Complete Plan
The other side of the equation is calories consumed, and of course there is no way to automatically detect that. BodyBugg is sold with an on-line subscription program supported by Apex Fitness Group. The software provided with your BodyBugg links into the website and uploads the caloric expenditure data through either a USB or wireless connection. Then, you enter your caloric intake for the same time period. There are settings for your weight goals and strategies, and then the program offers meal plans and other tips for using the BodyBugg to help maintain your fitness or weight-loss program. Since the BodyBugg program is affiliated with Apex Fitness, some of the recommended meals contain Apex products, naturally.
In addition to the device and the tracking program, each sale of a BodyBugg includes a phone consultation with a BodyBugg coach to talk about the product and discuss goals, progress and product tips.
Customers Report
People who use the device and the program claim it compels them to eat less and move more; especially those who have the optional calories expended display. The display increases the base cost of the BodyBugg, but it is an effective visual reminder of how inactive you are at any given moment, and a catalyst to reverse that behavior!
Users also love the charts and graphs available through the on-line Apex program. They are very simple to understand and very graphically display your daily calorie deficit or surplus, which then ties into your weight. It provides detailed read-outs down to each minute of the day, so you can track how many calories were burned running a marathon or watching television or working around the house. Because you have the opportunity to see the trends from week to week, it will soon become apparent from the 3 factors involved – calories in, calories out, weight – whether your manual entries for calorie consumption are accurate. If they are not, adjustments can be easily made, allowing for a better chance that the program will succeed.
People who love electronic gadgets report that they find the device, and the reports, addictive. The more you do what the plan and your coach recommend, the more effective the plan will be.
What are the Downsides?
Aside from the price, which can be a negative for many, the biggest negative about the BodyBugg is that is not waterproof. So if you are someone who gets most of their physical exercise in the pool or at the beach, or spend a lot of time in a sauna or steam room, the BodyBugg must be removed and those activities will not be accurately represented. In addition, the software that links into the monthly subscription program is PC-only, so Mac users are out of luck for the time being!
Overall, the BodyBugg is clearly the most accurate device available, outside of a medical facility, for tracking calorie expenditure. It is not a diet or fitness program, it is merely a tool to help you realistically track your progress. If you’d like more information about the product, check out their website , or information about the BodyBugg via Apex.
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