Software Helps Dieters Design Personal Weight-Loss Program

A new software program may help dieters succeed by providing calories in versus calories out data.

HealtheTech's BalanceLog™ software for Windows and Palm OS devices allows dieters to balance their calories eaten and their calories burned. Used along with a metabolic measurement device called the BodyGem™, BalanceLog lets users set up their own personal weight loss plan.

"Just as people look different from each other, their metabolic rates are also unique to them," said Jay T. Kearney, PhD, exercise physiologist and Vice President of Clinical Affairs at HealtheTech. "They need to know how many calories they can eat to lose weight or to maintain their weight and until now, there was no practical way to know this critical information."

The user simply breathes into the BodyGem for seven to nine minutes and the device will then provide a measurement of how many calories are being burned at rest.

This resting metabolic rate (RMR) is approximately 70 to 85 percent of the calories being burned in a day. This number is the basis for a person's "calorie budget."

The BalanceLog allows the user to enter the foods eaten and the calories being burned with RMR, activity and exercise to keep a running budget of calories in and out.

The BalanceLog contains values for 3,000 foods and menus of 15 popular fast food restaurants. The device also tracks protein, carbohydrates, fats, dietary cholesterol, sodium, fiber, sugar, iron, vitamins A and C and calcium intake.

The device can be purchased at fitness and weight loss centers nationwide.

Other sources: HealtheTech, Inc.