Technology Can Help Keep Weight Off After Bariatric Surgery

After having bariatric surgery, it’s important to find and use healthy strategies to help keep off the weight you lose. Taking advantage of all the technology available today can help make the process easier.

The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) recommends the following as good technology options to support healthy weight management.

• Fitness apps – There are many options when it comes to fitness apps – some free and some that cost for download. The apps are a great way to be accountable to your weight loss or weight management plan. You can keep track of your exercise and get ideas for new workout routines. Some can even track your steps or movements if you have your phone with you. 
• Healthy eating apps – A food journal is a great weight loss tool. By using a healthy eating app, you can keep your food journal on your device. With many of these apps, you just type in the food type, and the app will calculate and track nutrition information (including calories, fats and carbohydrates) for you. Most of these apps also include help for meal planning and recipe ideas.
• Some apps make tracking nutrition information even easier by including a barcode scanner. Once you scan the code with your device, and the app will track valuable nutrition information about the food.
• Online training – Many gyms now offer online personal trainers or small group fitness classes. If you have a busy lifestyle or prefer to workout in private, this could be great option to keep you on course. You can have personalized workouts created to meet your fitness needs. And, instructors can help educate you and keep you motivated so you can stay on track with your weight loss journey.
• Social support – Having a network of social support can provide great accountability as you manage your weight. Joining an online community of other like-minded people with similar goals can help strengthen your dedication to exercising and eating well. Many times a little extra encouragement can make a huge difference to your success.
• Wearable fitness support – These wearable devices have become trendy ways to support fitness goals for many people. Usually bracelets or clips, they are designed to be worn at all times and track many fitness and health elements, including:
  • Blood oxygen levels
  • Calories burned
  • Flights of stairs climbed
  • Heart rate
  • Overall movement
  • Skin temperature
  • Sleep patterns

The devices give you a detailed look at your overall wellness, providing real-time proof of successes and downfalls. Seeing the numbers right in front of you can be a great motivator. Most of these devices can sync with mobile apps so you can check in during the day to see if you’re on track to meet your daily goals.

Using technology to support your weight loss and weight management can help you be successful at meeting both your short-term and long-term goals.

For more information about using technology to help keep weight off, talk with your doctor or visit Premier Weight Loss Solutions.