A very bright friend of mine turned her health and body shape around, thanks to the little electronic bracelet she wears on her wrist. She started with a Jawbone Up, then switched to a Fitbit wristband and she seems hooked. ( She also looks ten years younger.)
Another friend just bought a similar gadget six weeks ago, and programmed in that she wanted to lose a pound a week....and she has lost exactly six pounds.
The gizmos, along with a smartphone, keep track of how much you move, how well you sleep, and how many calories you are eating. When you are not doing well, it tells you and it tracks how you are doing through the day.
It turns out that monitoring our daily habits via a machine is a big boon to our health. Surprises the heck out of me. But think of it, we are busy enough keeping track of everything else -- and this takes the guesswork out of staying fit. Plus both friends tell me how fun it is.
Anyway, that's what big drug companies and healthcare facilities are also finding out. Daily planners, trackers and monitors are unexpectedly popular for the healthy as well as those with chronic problems.
My story "Welcome to the New Face of Big Pharma," about how drugmakers are dealing with Obamacare, was eye-opening, and gives a taste of what's to come. I'm guessing that the trendy Fitbit is just the tip of the iceberg.
See what you think. Click here.
Stay well,
Joan
