How Your iPhone Can Help You Lose Weight Faster
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By now you know that weight loss is a matter of numbers. Getting the right amount of protein, carbs and fats is key. Not too much and not too little. But how do we know if we have nailed our numbers? After all, if you can't measure it, you can't manage it. That's a license for weight gain.
If you have read The Metabolism Solution, you know that we "should" be walking 10,000 steps a day to lose weight (your daily caloric goal is your weight x 10). But how do you know if you've nailed your numbers? Your iPhone can tell you everything you need to know.
If you're like me, you're not too fond of excess technology. I hate having too many gadgets to manage. I think they are time wasters, but I always have my iPhone, and I use it to manage my entire life, including my fitness.
Did you know the iPhone (version 5.0 and higher) has a pedometer built into it? It automatically measures how far you walk every day, so make sure it's on you when you're on the treadmill.
While many people realize this, not many people actually use this life-saving feature. Here is a Lesson 101, and if I can do it, you certainly can.
Many people glance at the app and think it's cute but here is what it can do for you:
- Tell you how many steps you walk every day
- How many steps you average every day (you read in The Metabolism Solution that the law of averages plays out if you walk a lot one day and don't walk at all the next. It's a wash).
The iPhone has a pedometer compatible with iOS8. Get it fast if you don't already have it. By the way, it’s already “on,” and has been tracking your steps. Who knew?
Not sure how to find it? Tap on the Apple Health App, which opens your health dashboard. Click the step counter. You can look at your data based on day, week, month or year (if you're not an iPhone owner download Google Fit for the Android).
Despite that fact that you may feel exhausted, you may be surprised at how little you actually walk throughout the day. At least when compared to The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommendation of taking 10,000 daily steps—the equivalent of walking about 5 miles. I know I don't reach 10,000 unless I get on the treadmill for an hour. That's taking into account that I'm pretty active and hate sitting still.
Watching your daily steps can become a fun game. Now that you've got numbers to tell you what you need to do it's less emotional, so you're more prone to doing it.
If you want to speed up your results and find more ways to burn fat, check out the Metabolic Booster Workout or Fat Blaster to download DVDs and Apps. Look at the photo below to see how one many lost 10 pounds in 2 weeks doing just this.
Remember to start wherever you are. You most likely won't be close to 10,000 steps yet but playing the numbers game you will be in no time. Simply try to beat what you did the day before by using these good tips:
- Park further away
- Take the stairs
- Move your desk supplies far away from your desk so you have to move to get them
- Walk the long route everywhere you go (this drives my kids crazy—I tell them I can't park close to cars)
- Vacuum your house daily and find reasons to move
- Walk the dog—even if your yard is fenced in
Be sure to keep your phone with you wherever you go. Here is the good news: If you nail 10,000 steps every day you don't have to step foot onto the cardio machines. 10,000 steps a day can help you lose weight safely and easily. Who doesn't want that? I'll toast my accomplishment with a Complete Protein Shake Lean Latte (the recipe can be found in The Metabolism Solution).