BodyMedia has been unlocking and deciphering secrets of the body since 1999. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, BodyMedia is the pioneer in developing and marketing wearable body monitors that equip consumers with information they can use to make sweeping changes to their own health and wellness beginning with weight management and soon to include management of other conditions affected by lifestyle choices.
The BodyMedia platform is the only system of its kind that is registered with the FDA as a Class II medical device and that has been clinically proven to enhance users’ weight loss by up to three times. I found out about BodyMedia about a month ago and since I am no longer in my weight loss program I though this would be a great way to keep track of my calories intake and calories burned….Body media has two different devices and programs that you can use to manage your weight loss program. I was given the opportunity to try the Wireless LINK Armband which has blue tooth capability, so you can access your information straight from your Bluetooth enabled phone.
So what is the arm band and what does it do? It is really very simple. The arm band is a tracking device that you use around your arm and it stays in place thanks to a Velcro band which can be adapted to different sizes. The first thing I need to say is that the arm band is really comfortable. So much so, that I sometimes forget that I am actually wearing it….I have been wearing mine all day and night for the last month.
The unit detaches from the band and you can upload the information collected by it to your computer through a USB cable that is included with your arm band. You will need to sign up and select one of the programs offered by BodyMedia that will open up an activity manager that is personalized to your needs….You get a 3 month free subscription when you buy your arm band and every additional month is just 6.95.
The Activity Manager is a chart that will collect the information from your unit once you plug it in and then there is some information like your Calories Burned, Calories Consumed, Calorie Balance, Steps Taken, Sleep Duration, Weight…In most of them, you can get a detailed report on different categories…..I have to say it is really very neat. When you log your meals, there are a series of pre- existing foods that are already programed on the Activity Manager, but if by any chance you have a meal that is not on record, you actually have the option to add the meal and detail any nutrition facts and you can add the different foods you take to the pre- existing meals saved on the Activity Manager.
I have been really good about wearing the arm band and besides helping me keep track of my calorie intake, the exercise and even how much exercise and sleep time I get in a night ( I love this feature especially now that I am having sleeping issues).
What I really like about the MediaBody besides the obvious benefits of tracking and managing all the above, is that since I am wearing the arm band I am very conscious of what I eat….I started to really care about what I ate when I was on the weight loss program…The arm band helps me to keep the focus and control what I eat …..I usually log in my meals every night and recharge the arm band every morning…By the way the battery holds really good as it only takes about a minute to recharge the battery each day…. The first time you use it you have to fully charge it so it takes a few hours to do so. The Wireless Link arm band has a retail price of 149.00.
