Should You Use A Fitness Tracker After Bariatric Surgery?

Fitness trackers can be great tools for anyone who’s looking to monitor their activity levels, find some extra motivation, and even engage friends and family in some fitness-related competitions!

 

If you’ve been thinking about investing in a fitness tracker to help with your exercise goals, here’s what you need to know about these high-tech wearable monitors.

 

1. Features Vary Between Trackers

 

While most fitness trackers on the market today look fairly similar, it’s important to understand that there are a wide range of features and options offered on each model and on the mobile apps associated with each type of fitness tracker.

 

Some bare-bones fitness trackers simply count the number of steps you take using an accelerometer, while more advanced units offer a wide range of ‘bells and whistles’. Others have a gyroscope to improve tracking accuracy, a built-in GPS to measure distance traveled, and there are even wearable fitness trackers that can measure how much muscle and body fat you have!

 

2. Look For One With An Activity Reminder

 

If you struggle to stay active throughout the day, a fitness tracker that features a built-in activity reminder function could be a great tool for you.

 

This option lets you set automated activity reminders on your fitness tracker app during a specific time period. For example, if you have a desk job, you can set your wearable monitor to buzz or beep if you’ve spent too much time sitting down

 

And in case you’re wondering, no, the reminder buzz from your wearable device isn’t strong enough to jolt you off the couch or out of you chair, but it can help you move more, and sit less.

 

3. Seek Out A Sleep Tracking Function

 

While wearable activity monitors can help motivate you to keep moving throughout the day, they can also give you valuable insights into your sleep patterns and habits.

 

By tracking the amount of time you spend actually sleeping, you may be able to identify factors that are keeping you from getting the sleep you need, such as whether or not listening to music before bedtime impacts how soon you fall asleep.

 

4. Find An App You Enjoy Using

 

Fitness trackers rely on input from mobile apps to work properly, so take the time to check out online reviews to see which app you like the best.

 

Some fitness tracker apps are very basic, while others include a host of features like social media integration and the ability to export your personal data to other health apps. Many apps for fitness trackers even provide personalized goals and fitness monitoring over time, acting as a virtual personal assistant to help you stay on track.

 

Olde Del Mar Surgical Wants To Help You Achieve Your Weight Loss Goals

 

Ready to learn more about how a fitness tracker can help achieve your ideal weight following bariatric surgery, such as LAP-BAND, gastric bypass, or gastric sleeve? Contact Olde Del Mar Surgical for more patient resources designed to support your transition into a healthier, happier you.

 

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