As a personal trainer, I was ecstatic when the bodybugg calorie counting device first came on the scene.  It’s been almost a decade now and large companies are now investing their money in creating their own.  I have seen these devices work first hand.  Heck, I’m even wearing mine as I write this article!

Are Calorie Counting Devices Worth Your Money?

YES, yes, and yes!  They may not match your attire, but they will make you thin if you use them along with a calorie tracking system!  When they first came on the market I was worried that they would put many personal trainers out of business.  Lucky for me, people need others to keep them motivated!

Don’t be fooled, these devices aren’t just for losing weight.  They have also helped many of my clients gain muscle.  For those of you who have extremely high metabolisms, this device will help you gauge how many calories you are burning.  Once you know that number, you can tailor your calorie intake to gain muscle.  Next, workout like the hulk and you’ll be on your way to a ripped physique!

A Look At The Biggest Calorie Counting Devices On The Market

BodyBugg 

Check out the bodybugg® systemOne the most recognized brands in Health and Fitness Tracking, the bodybugg calorie management system is a proven solution in weight loss management. The bodybugg system works by keeping an accurate daily record of calories consumed vs. burned making it easier to stay informed, make decisions and more effectively manage your weight.

What does it do?The bodybugg system includes sleek wearable devices that are complemented by a user-friendly web based program. Plus, with the bodybuggSP™ system, you can get real-time access to your daily activity through your smartphone* (Android™ and iPhone).

Additional benefits & features• Uses specialized sensors to track calories burned
• Manages calories consumed via a web based program (FREE for 6 months with initial purchase)
• Tracks your steps with a built-in pedometer
• PC and Mac compatible
• Runs on a rechargeable battery

The Bodybugg Sells for $139.00, without the digital display (watch).  However, I suggest buying the bundle package. ($188.00)  The watch is what makes this piece of equipment so great!   It comes with a 6 month online member ship.  After that is finished, it’s roughly $12.00 per month (if you pay monthly).

Jillian Michaels Body 360 Weight Loss Navigator 

Look Familiar???  That’s because this is the same company that produces the Bodybugg!  Body media is reaching all the fitness platforms to sell their product.

The BodyMedia FIT Armband automatically tracks the calories burned during your daily activities and monitors the quality of your sleep, an important factor in weight loss. The information tracked can easily be managed with the *online Activity Manager. Add in the easy-to-use food log and you have the information you need to improve your weight loss.

My 360° Weight Loss Navigator program is the ULTIMATE weight-loss system. The program is a total wellness solution designed to get you in the best shape of your life! My tough-as-nails approach combined with BodyMedia FIT technology will give you everything you need to lose weight and keep it off. 

Armband requires active subscription–$6/ week billed quarterly. Purchase includes 30 days FREE. 

Price:  $ 179.99

* Keep in mind that the bodybugg comes with 6 months free online.  It also comes with a watch for $8.00 more then the price of the 360.  Love you Jillian but if we are looking to make the most out of our money then we’ll opt for the other version.  

Get The Biggest Loser® SLIMCOACH™ — the same system used by the trainers and contestants on NBC’s hit show The Biggest Loser®. Like the contestants, your daily goal is to turn the Health Circle red to green. With a simple touch, it shows where you are and where you need to be. The SLIMCOACH™ helps to put you on the right track and keep you there to reach your goals.

PRODUCT FEATURES

• Senses, tracks, and analyzes your movements in real time
  To help you reach your fitness goals. Monitors your caloric balance to help you make good decisions.
• Personal online dashboard
  Helps track your progress.
• Provides real-time feedback
  With the push of a button — like having a Biggest Loser® trainer at your side all day long.
• 1-year membership to the MYTRAK® online system
  Includes the MYTRAK online health community, interactive graphs displaying your progress, a dynamic lifestyle rating system and daily status of steps taken and distance traveled.
• Also includes daily calories burned vs. daily target summaries, monthly energy expenditure, predicted health benefit and heart activity summaries, an interactive goal summary and prediction page and access to a nutrition planning and monitoring system
• Syncs with coded Polar WearLink heart rate monitor
  To monitor activities such as yoga, swimming, cycling and more (heart rate monitor not included). Your favorite activities are used to calculate the time required to go green.
• Clips to your side or pocket
  For easy access.
• USB cable
  Allows a simple connection to your PC or Mac (source).

The Slim Coach Costs 129.99.  It also comes with a full year of the online tracking system.

So what makes the slim coach different from the other products?  Unlike the bodybugg and Jillian Michaels 360 (body media), it can track your heart rate (with a HR strap), it speaks to you, you don’t need to wear it on your arm.  There is no need for a watch, you can get all your info from this compact “iphone looking” device.  

• Whole Body Energy Analysis
• Movement Intensity Analysis
• Movement Type Analysis
• Movement Duration Analysis
• Heart Activity vs.
  Body Motion Analysis

Listed above are the things that the Slim Coach takes into account to track your calories burned.  In comparison to the bodybugg, I didn’t see anything that tracks the heat of your body.  That was how the bugg was so accurate.  I have my doubts about this device only because I am not clear on how it comes up with it’s numbers.  Is it enough to use hear rate, and an activity sensors?

Nike Plus Fuel Band 

This stylish bracelet may have the market cornered based souly on design.

How Nike Fuel Band Works

*Tracks Calories Burned

*Tracks Steps

*Has an app to view progress and calories

*Tracking device online for calorie intake

Using this band you will be able to set your daily goal and it keeps track. Once you reach that goal the calorie bar turns green. This band connects with your computer via USB port or Syncs over WIFI. If you use the App which seems to be for iOS you get more details and they say it’s  good motivator.

It costs 149$ and Pre-orders available in limited sizes and quantities from 1/19 to 2/19.  Arrives in-home on launch day, Feb 22 (source).

   All in all after researching all of these devices, I’m still sticking with my Bodybugg.  It may not be the most stylish but it appears to be the most accurate.  If I purchase these other devices later, I will be sure to write a personalized review on my findings!  If you know others that are interested in calorie tracking devices, be sure to share this fitness tip / article with them!

Adria Ali

    Many people at the gym depend heavily on their cardio machines to tell them when they have burned enough calories to hit the locker rooms.  I’d say about 40%  of the people that use the wide variety of cardio machines depend on calories, not time, to give them permission to hop off.

Of course, as trainers we have  already been telling our clients that the machines aren’t the most accurate. Instead, we would suggest using a bodybugg to measure their REAL calorie expenditure.  Once they did, they understood the importance of having one!

Another important point is … the longer you do a particular type of cardio, the less amount of calories you burn!  It’s human nature to adapt, improve and conserve energy.  Therefore your body will find the best way to do an activity without burning up it’s precious fuel.  That’s why you must consistently change the intensity, the type, or the time of your cardio to continually lose.

The Experiment 

GMA technology contributor Becky Worley used the VO2 test on a treadmill, stationary bike, stair climber, elliptical machine and fitness watches. She used each for five minutes and, in each case, according to the VO2 test, the number of calories burned was overestimated.

On average, the machines overestimated by 19 percent and the watches overestimated by 28 percent.

Here’s the breakdown:

Treadmill: Overestimated calories burnt by 13 percent.

Stationary Bike: Overestimated calories burnt by 7 percent.

Stair Climber: Overestimated calories burnt by 12 percent.

Elliptical: overestimated calories burnt by 42 percent.

Are you shocked???  Human error can also really mess up the machines analysis.  Your age, height and weight must be as accurate as possible to get a true reading.  So if you are exercising next to some hot guy / girl and you deduct 20 pounds off of your weight (scared that they will see your real numbers),  you’ll be staying on that elliptical a bit longer

What Do The Manufacturers Have To Say?

According to the makers, calorie counting software doesn’t adjust to machine wear and tear. Also, machine resistance can change overtime, which skews the calculation. And none of the machines can calculate a user’s metabolism rate, health history and fitness level, all of which affect calorie counters.

 

The Answer :  My personal favorite is a calorie counting device called the bodybugg.  I use this with the digital display to see how many calories I’m really burning.

If you don’t have the money to buy extra equipment, the machine manufacturers recommend entering a slightly lower weight.  This will compensate for some of the overestimation.

If you know a hard core gym bunny, then don’t forget to forward this on!  This fitness tip should not be missed!!!

Adria Ali

BS, PES, CES, CPT

Some chicken could have small amounts of harmful  arsenic. The Food and Drug

 Administration says somechicken meat may contain small amounts of arsenic, though

 the agency is stressing that the amount is too low to be dangerous.

The FDA said Wednesday that a new study developed by the agency shows that an

ingredient in chicken feed contains arsenic, called Roxarsone, may make its way

 into parts of the bird that are eaten.  Previous studies have indicated that the

arsenic was eliminated with chicken waste.

Pfizer Inc., which makes the feed ingredient, said Wednesday that it will pull it off

 the market in the United States.  FDA said it would be banned because it is a carcinogen.

Pfizer said in a statement that its subsidiary, Alpharma LLC, is suspending sales next

 month in response to the FDA findings.  The company said it is not withdrawing the

 ingredient immediately so producers have time to transition their birds off the drug.

Many poultry producers have recently stopped feeding their birds the ingredient, which

 was used to kill parasites and promote growth.  The FDA's deputy commissioner for foods,

 said the study raised "concerns of a very low but completely avoidable exposure to a

 carcinogen.

In a study of 100 chickens, the FDA found that chickens that had eaten the Roxarsone

 had higher levels of inorganic arsenic — as opposed to organic arsenic, which is

naturally occurring — in their livers than chickens which had not eaten the Roxarsone.

Inorganic arsenic is more toxic than the naturally occurring form.

Roxarsone has long been a concern for environmental groups worried about its presence

 in chicken waste and the resulting effects on human health in areas with high

chicken production.

Eeek!  I know that there is always a certain amount of chemicals in the food you eat but

 this one is a bit on the scary side.  The worst part is, the arsenic isn't the one we

were brought up eating.  It's a new more poisonous source.   Make sure you fill your

friends and family in on these fitness tips using facebook, twitter, and email!

Adria

I couldn’t believe what I was reading….. a  RECALL ON TAMPONS!  According to a tweet by “Women’s Health,” and an article done by “Consumer Reports.”  Kotex tampons has issued a recall on one of their newest items.

Two specific lots of Kotex tampons were infected with a bacterium, Enterobacter sakazakii, which is a bug  that causes vaginal infections and other health risks.

The recall is limited to two specific lots of Kotex Natural Balance Security Unscented Tampons Regular Absorbency manufactured by Kimberly-Clark. According to the FDA, both the 18 count and the 36 count packages contain tampons that were made with raw materials contaminated with Enterobacter sakazakii, a bug that may cause vaginal infections, urinary tract infections, pelvic inflammatory diseases or other health issues.

 

To date, there have been no reported illnesses.  However, the FDA warns that this bacterium could pose potential hazards for women who already have compromised immune systems or preexisting illnesses.

Below are the lot numbers that have been affected.  They were distributed to stores from October 29 – November 2, 2011.

The FDA says Kimberly-Clark has already contacted the specific retailers—Walmart stores in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico and Texas; Fry’s stores in Arizona; and Smith’s stores in Utah and Arizona—to remove the tainted tampons from their shelves.

Still, the FDA advises consumers to be cautious and check if they recently bought the Kotex tampons. The affected tampons’ SKU are the last five digits on the packages’ bar codes. The recalled tampons can also be further identified by specific lot numbers, printed in a red box on the bottom of the package.

 

   Women should discontinue the use of these tampons immediately and contact a doctor if they are having fevers, unusual discharge, rash, vomiting, and abdominal pains.

Consumers with the recalled Kotex Natural Balance Security Unscented Tampons should immediately discontinue use of the product and contact Kimberly-Clark’s toll-free Consumer Services Division (800-335-6839) to make arrangements for safe disposal of the recalled tampons.

Adria

Kelly Rippa and Dana Carvey Do The Boing Workout (FitCeleb)

Mariah Carey Drops 70lbs On Jenny Craig (FitCeleb)

The 4 Truths About Diet That You Should Know (DailySpark) 

Fighting Dry, Flaky Skin?  Here’s How To Choose The Right Moisturizer Over They Cold Months (WebMD)

Fight Winter Weight Gain By Creating A “Go To Snack Station” In Your Kitchen (FitSugar)

It’s that time again, the sun hides and you layer.   With the layering comes potential weight gain as the world gets a little lax with their exercise and diet routines.  Halloween is on the horizon and it could be time to break out that potential risque costume.  To keep you lean during the candy season we are arming you with all the proper tools!   Here’s a list of the most popular Halloween candy nutrition facts to ward off the potential fat.

CHOCOLATE CANDY NUTRITION FACTS 

Butterfinger (fun size)

Calories:  83

Fat:  4 g

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup 

Calories:  110

Fat:  4.5

Twix (1 stick)

Calories:  120

Fat: 3

Snickers (fun size)

Calories:  72

Fat:  3.7

Nestle’s Crunch 

Calories:  51.3

Fat:   2.7

Hershey’s Bar (Plain)

Calories:  66.7

Fat:   4

Raisinets 

Calories:  63

Fat:  2.4

Junior Mints 

Calories:  80

Fat:  1

Peppermint Patty

Calories:  47

Fat:   1

OTHER CANDY WITHOUT CHOCOLATE 

Twizzlers: (fun size)

Calories:  43

Fat: 3

Starburst

Calories: 60

Fat:  0.8

Skittles 

Calories:  80

Fat:   .8 grams

Candy Corn (15 gram pouch)

Calories:  50

Fat:  0

Tootsie Pop

Calories:  60

Fat:  0

Tootsie Rolls  (6 pieces)

Calories : 140

Fat:  0

    The Best and the Worst Minis

BEST 

WORST 

      So now that you have seen all the best and worst Halloween candy choices, will you be making other choices this season??

Adria

    Who doesn’t love the fair???!!!   When you think of the fair, one of the first things that comes to mind is the food.  Of course, the fluffy animals, rickety rides, and games play a part too.  However, the food is something that only comes around once a year.  Since we know you will be eating it, here all the the nutrition facts for fair and carnival foods.

Fried Snickers 

Fried Twinkies 

Corn Dog

Corn On The Cobb  With Butter

Corn On The Cobb Without Butter 

Caramel Corn

Carmel Apples

Cotton Candy

Funnel Cake

Nature is full of products to alleviate pain, reduce swelling, increase your sex drive, and cure the common cold.  However, one of the most popular ingredients in male enhancement pills and muscle gain supplements is Yohimbe.  It’s derived from tree bark but it has had some serious side affects.  The FDA has publicized a warning to keep the public informed.

Yohimbe is a tree bark containing a variety of pharmacologically active chemicals. It is marketed in a number of products for body building and “enhanced male performance.” Serious adverse effects, including renal failure, seizures and death, have been reported to FDA with products containing yohimbe and are currently under investigation.
- Food and Drug Administration — http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/supplmnt.html 

The major identified alkaloid in yohimbe is yohimbine, a chemical that causes vasodilation, thereby lowering blood pressure. Yohimbine is also a prescription drug in the United States. Side effects are well recognized and may include central nervous system stimulation that causes anxiety attacks. At high doses, yohimbine is a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor. MAO inhibitors can cause serious adverse effects when taken concomitantly with tyramine-containing foods (e.g., liver, cheeses, red wine) or with over-the-counter (OTC) products containing phenylpropanolamine, such as nasal decongestants and diet aids. Individuals taking yohimbe should be warned to rigorously avoid these foods and OTC products because of the increased likelihood of adverse effects.
- Food and Drug Administration — http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/supplmnt.html (source)

If you are taking muscle gain product or male enhancement pills, then it’s time you scanned the ingredients in the bottle.  These side affects are life threatening and should be avoided at all costs!  If your a female then you probably don’t take these types of products, however, you should look at your husband and your son’s supplements!

Adria Ali

     Science is an ever changing process.  What used to be fact is now becoming fiction.  While trainers and fitness buffs all over the world have know that calories are not always “black and white,” science is catching up and proving this theory to be true.  Everything from meal plans, to calorie counting devices, to new fitness apps, depend upon the “calories in verses calories out” rule.  For those of you who don’t know what this means here is a short definition.

The calories you eat verses the calories you burn.  If you burn more then you consume, you lose weight and.  If you eat more then you burn you gain weight.  

 

In the bodybuilding world, their goal is lean muscle and low body fat.  They have known for years that where you get your calories makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE.  Some examples can be seen in their fat intake.  They stay away from saturated fats and add healthy fats such as, avacado, flax seed, and fish oils.  They aren’t taking the fat out, they are replacing it with fats that the body can use more efficiently.

Research is bringing new light to this OLD fitness tip.  The scientists at Harvard

The moral of the story is that it’s not enough to count calories; you have to look at the kinds of calories you’re counting because your body processes them differently based on their source. The Harvard study followed 120,877 men and women of all shapes and sizes for 12 to 20 years. Every two years, they completed a survey about their diet and lifestyle, along with their weight and current health.

The results were startling: even though most of us have been taught to believe that just eating less, avoiding fatty foods, and taking everything in moderation, it’s just not enough to stay healthy. Instead, they propose, Americans should temper their diet to minimize the foods that contribute the most to weight gain, like French fries, potato chips, and sugar-sweetened drinks. They also noted that the “good foods” were the ones most people already associate as good for you: fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

 

Shocking???  I think not.  However, to get the attention of mass media, and the respect from the public, science must prove this to be true.  Alas, it doesn’t matter what makes people listen, as long as they use the information to better their health, body, and daily choices in nutrition.  Take this information and RUN WITH IT.  Trade in your white rice for brown, ditch your over processed breads and use whole grains and sprouted wheat!  Cut down your fast food and introduce healthy fats.  It’s never a waste of time to better your body!

Adria Ali

PROS:

• They help to teach beginners the general motion of various standard exercises such as the chest press, should press, row and squat.
  
• In general, they can minimize injury due to weak stabilizing muscles ( which most beginners lack)
• Easy to use
  
• Easy to develop a standard routine

CONS:

• They don’t train stabilizing muscle which help to support joints and burn tons of calories.
• They are 2 dimensional.  The world we live in is 3 dimensional.  In order to function well in your own environment you need to train your body in all areas.
• Machines were originally made to focus on one or 2 muscle groups to aid in muscle gain.  So, why are we using them to lose weight?
• Stuck in as rut.  Many people get so used to using the machines that they never venture outside into other aspects of training.
  
• Dependence on machines leads to plateaus.

If you want to get the most out of your time in the gym, then you have to challenge your muscles in different ways.  If you love using machines they try incorporating bands into your routine then add some dumbbells.  This versatility will give you a more affective workout routine that withstands time and plateaus.  If you aren’t sure how to change up your routine, write in and we will do our best to help you out!

Adria Ali