Online Weight ManagementTools

Losing weight can sometimes be challenging because we don't see immediate changes. If you are the type of person who wants to see instant progress or simply likes to keep track, there are many online weight management tools that may work for you.  Here are a few to get you started.  If you have any favorites I have not mentioned, please feel free to list them or send me a note and I will add those sites to this post.



Nutrition and Exercise Trackers

• SparkPeople: A free online diet, exercise and healthy living community. (This is one of my favorites because you can set caloric goals and as you input your food it tells you how many calories you have until you reach your limit.  This one also has a place to input the amount of water you drink)
• FitDay: A free and very popular online journal and diet tracker (must register)
• Nutridiary:  Tracks Food, calories and weight (free/must register)

Community and Group Support

• PeerTrainer: Find others like you and form support groups and teams.  This site also offers great fitness and nutrition tips.  Additionally, you can make a plan and track food an exercise (Free/must register)
• Fit Tracker:  Fit Tracker is an online community where members can connect with each other to socialize and learn more about health and fitness. 

Weight Loss Calculators

• Calories Per Hour: Calculate your calorie goal and make a plan that works for you.  Has a search-able database of over 679,300 foods and 1,500 activities to help you be accountable to your goals  

Nutrition Information    

• Nutrition Data: Know what you eat.  Provides comprehensive information on most foods to help with healthy planning.  
• Dietfacts.com: Look before you eat.  This site lets you see the nutritional value of standard foods and has manually entered information from most restaurants as well. (Warning-I can no longer enjoy some of my favorite foods at restaurants after visiting this site)
• CalorieKing: This comprehensive program goes back to the basics, you won't find any fad diets here.  You can try a 7 day free trial and become equipped with basic tools to help you reach and maintain your goals.
• Calorie Count:  Type in your food of choice and find out how many calories, carbohydrates, proteins, etc. you will eat.  
• WebMD Portion Size Guide:  This PDF guide gives you real life examples to compare appropriate portion sizes. 

These are a few of the many tools out there and available to assist with reaching health goals.  If you have others please let me know and I will gladly add them to the list.

Seeing is Achieving: How my Virtual Life Changed my Real Life

For about 9 weeks I have been participating in a program designed to help individuals re-frame the way they think about eating, movement and nutrition. This program is completely online and uses avatars to interact with small groups and with instructors on Club One Island located in a virtual world called Second Life.

Naturally I asked, "How in the world can I lose weight sitting in front of my computer?"  The Club One Instructors informed me numerous studies have shown people can change their actual behavior or circumstance by seeing themselves in an alternate reality.  I have often read in order to lose weight you have to see yourself smaller or if you wish to have success you must believe you can be successful.  The beauty industry uses imaging technology to allow people to try on different hairstyles and looks before taking the final leap.  People use virtual reality game consoles to imagine what it would be like to be a famous boxer, rock star or dancer.  Finally, it all goes back to the old saying, "if you can see it, you can achieve it."

I must admit in the beginning I was very skeptical of the entire program.  I am a person who already loves to work out so I really did not see how they could help me in this area.  However, after 9 weeks, I am a little sad it is coming to an end.  My life has changed.  Yes I have seen some measurable results, which I will reveal at the end of the 12 week cycle, but more importantly, I have seen my life change.  I am now much more aware of not only what I eat but how I eat it.  I have more tools at my disposal and have learned the benefits of portion control.  Once you are in control of your eating you can truly be free with food.  I used to sit and scarf down two bowls of cereal with no problem.  Now I can't imagine eating two bowls of cereal back to back.  I now know if I am still hungry after eating the first bowl I should wait 15 minutes before going back for more.  Waiting allows my brain to realize my stomach is full and usually I am not longer hungry (oh the calories I've saved).

I have always been a big fan of movement but attending classes at Club One Island in Second Life has allowed me to see my Avatar participate in activities that would otherwise be a stretch for me like surfing, skating and Yoga.  I recently started doing Yoga in the mornings and can already feel and see the benefits.  One day in the not so distant future, I may even get on a surf board just to see how it goes.

I will update this post in the future to share my results.

If you want more information about the program in general the following article provides detailed information.

Virtual Club in Second Life