I know, you want a quick fix right? Just own an iPhone and Bam! your body will resemble that of Julianne Hough or Gilles Martini. For all of you technology geeks and metrics lovers there is a new free App for the iPhone that may make weight loss just a little easier. Walk n’ Play is a game that keeps track of your physical activity and allows you to compete against other iPhone users with this App or against a simulator on the game itself.
What is interesting about this particular App is that it can be attached to your waistband or sitting in your pocket. Other devices that measure physical activity (namely pedometers or accelerometers) must be attached to your waistband or shoelaces (shoelaces/shoe are easier – you forget it is there). In addition, it was developed at the U of Houston Computational Physiology lab. ahh, physiology + technology = win win situation.
This App comes at a good time. Americans are lazy. We use elevators, escalators, people movers in the airport, segways and any other mode of transporting our bodies that doesn’t involve our feet. Any device that gets people to think more about their daily physical activity and get them up and moving is close to brilliant and cuts out a layer of excuses (because you have your activities of daily living being tracked). If you don’t have an iPhone but do have an iTouch iPod – this has a built in accelerometer. Another option is the Nike + iPod Sports Kit.