Recommended Resources

Technology

Many gadgets, smartphone apps and online resources exist to help manage your progress. Some are expensive, some are priced for a mass market, and some are free. Do your own research and evaluation of food and fitness technology if you're inclined to it, but if not, the following are our favorites:

MyFitnessPal is one of the most popular free calorie count services available on the web and mobile devices. Join our discussion group, Traverse City Fitness Pals.

Striiv is a pedometer that links to a smartphone app, as well as MyFitnessPal, to help track the calories you burn through daily activity.

FitBit is the most popular smart pedometer and also links with MyFitnessPal.

Lift is a glorified to-do list with a feedback loop to help reinforce your efforts to build new habits. Network with friends to "give props" for checking off completion of a habit each day.


Kitchen

A digital scale is useful for accurately measuring portions. You can find a serviceable food scale for under $20. OXO makes this highly-rated one, which sells for about $50.


Flipboard

A magazine of useful information and thought-provoking articles on weight loss, fitness and health is curated for TC Fitness Pals.


Twitter

Michael Pollan tweets. So does Mark Bittman. Both frequently link to interesting news stories and information about food and nutrition.

Blogger and foodist Darya Rose has very sensible advice and shares it on Twitter.

I rarely tweet and will never be popular on Twitter, but if you'd like to follow me, you can see what other foodies I follow.


Facebook

It's not directly about weight loss, but the Wild Fermentation group on Facebook is a fine resource for sharing information about pickling, yogurt-making and other fermentation projects.