Flexible Stuff - Article 15, Sunday, August 25, 2024
It's Smart to Use a Smart Scale
A Smart Scale, such as the Etekcity seen here, is an electronic device that measures your weight with precision down to the ounce. Today, scales like it represents at least 99% of all scales sold.
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What makes a Smart Scale "smart" is its ability to save and transfer information to your smartphone or other computerized devices via a wireless Bluetooth or WiFi connection. This enables you to monitor and analyze your health metrics conveniently.
For most people, a Smart Scale's most important reading is their weight. However, it also provides other significant information, such as:
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Body fat percentage: This is the percentage of your fat mass compared to the rest of your body. A healthy target depends on your age. You can estimate your body fat percentage with or without a Smart Scale by using the online Body Fat Calculator.​
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Muscle mass: A high muscle mass indicates that your muscles are sufficient to support your body's weight. Conversely, a low muscle mass suggests that you should engage in strength training exercises.
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Bone density: This measures the amount of bone minerals, primarily calcium, in your body. High bone density indicates excellent bone strength.
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Water percentage: This metric shows the amount of water your body retains. Imbalances can signal potential health issues, such as high blood pressure or a compromised immune system.​
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Body mass index (BMI): This generalized figure divides your weight in kilograms by the square of your height in meters. It's a useful guide, but it may not always be strictly accurate.
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Basal metabolic rate: This estimates the number of calories your body burns at rest. It helps suggest the number of calories you need to maintain your current weight given your activity level.
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Visceral fat: This indicates the amount of fat surrounding your internal organs. High levels of visceral fat can increase the risk of diabetes and heart disease.
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Combining Smart Scale information with data from your Smart Watch can provide a comprehensive picture of your overall health, helping you determine what changes are needed for improvement.
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Monitoring your weight is one of the main reasons people use scales. Because a Smart Scale can report weight changes by the ounce, it offers a highly accurate picture of your eating and exercise habits.
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The scale, along with its companion app, saves this information, enabling you to track changes daily and adjust your diet and activity levels accordingly. Here's why this continuous monitoring is beneficial:
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Gain Weight: If you consume more calories than you burn through activity, your weight will increase.
Lose Weight: If you exercise enough to burn more calories than you consume, your weight will decrease.
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Maintain Weight: If your calorie intake and expenditure are balanced, your weight will stay the same. However, it's important to note that even with a balanced intake and activity level, you could still be overweight or underweight.
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Your daily readings can help you achieve your goal weight, but only if you actively adjust your lifestyle by eating less or exercising more as needed.
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Upcoming blogs . . .
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Next week, we'll discuss strategies for monitoring your Smart Scale to lose weight weekly, even if you're homebound or living in a small space. We'll also consider the potential benefits and drawbacks of weight-loss medications like Ozempic against a self-directed fitness routine.
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I post every Sunday. Feel free to contact me with questions at Karen@Littleviews.com.
​By Karen Little, August 25, 2024​​