That's Fit

Technology is both a curse and a blessing. It has made so many amazing things possible but it is also a big contributer to sedentary lifestyles and the rising obesity epidemic. But technology isn't all bad, and if you use it wisely it can actually help you get moving and make your health and fitness goals easier to achieve. We all love high-tech stuff, why not mix it in with our love of good health?

Here are just a few of the weight loss-friendly technologies out there:


Nutritional Info Texting Diet.com has a nifty service that will send you nutrition and calorie information on over 36,000 foods from 1,700 restaurants via the convenience of cell phone texting. All you have to do is text the restaurant name and the menu item to DIET1. The best part about it? It's free.

A personalized nutrition coach on your phone The Sensei for Weight Loss program will act as a digital personalized nutrition coach by sending you tailored meal recommendations, shopping lists personalized to your tastes, health and fitness information, and even motivational messages to keep you inspired. Intro offer $5.75/week.

Track calories burned Track exactly how many calories your body burns with the bodybugg. You wear it on your upper right arm and it tracks how many steps you take, how much you sweat, your body temperature, and how fast heat dissipates from your body to let you know precisely how many calories your workouts are burning. Then you can use the associated web-based program to track all the calorie numbers and your weight loss goals. $479.95/equipment and program.

Online personal training Burn Fit is online personal training for people who workout in the gym and want a little extra support but don't want to go the full-on live personal trainer route. First you meet with a live person to get your goals set and the program started, but then everything switches over to the internet. Daily feedback and guidance on your goals and progress, plus weekly workout plans from real personal trainers. Unfortunately the program is limited to California right now, but look for it at a gym near you in the future. $30/week

iPhone/iPod workouts Now you can order workouts like you would a new cellphone ringtone -- you can get a workout from PumpOne on your iPhone or iPod just by paying $1.99 and then downloading it within 24 hours.

Real-time voice coaching and health monitoring Swirl MX is a tiny (just one ounce) music player, heart rate monitor, and personal coach that works in coordination with an online workout program. You log onto the program and choose a workout and a playlist, then download it all to the gadget, and then as you workout a coach will keep you in line and motivated. $169/gadget plus 3 mos of service.