They say that self-help is the best help, and that is why most of us embark on this self-designed wellness journey by curating a sustainable weight loss regime. But technology always comes in handy when we want to simplify daily-life activities, be it any aspect of our lives, from shopping, traveling, managing finances, organizing kitchens, etc.
However, previous studies and research prove peer support groups and apps like lose it have contributed to long-term weight loss goals and their maintenance. Keeping this essence intact, the internet provides a plethora of online weight loss programs through websites and apps proving to be stepping stones for potential dieters and health seekers.
The weight-loss industry is working leaps and bounds to leverage the ever-evolving dynamics of the internet with tools such as data, testimonials, and products that are transforming our lives. To curb the menace of rising obesity worldwide, it is high time we promote healthy living through team competition spirit and target similar groups in apps like Noom.
Several group weight loss apps like Strava, BetterTogether, etc available today are free and provide an array of features. Still, our food for thought behind this article is what can be the driving factors behind these peer support groups or online communities helping people transform physically and mentally.
- Educational and inspirational forums: online groups are huge in number and virtually active, and people narrate countless stories about their transformational journeys. How they learn and unlearn a few practices in their daily lives to instill fitness and competitive spirit. Educational podcasts and documentaries are available to draw inspiration from. The bare minimum sensibility we can demonstrate is consulting a nutritionist or health expert before picking up on any diet or workout regimen.
- The community-driven approach is effective: Studies show that people who associated themselves with smaller or bigger communities to achieve their target weight displayed considerably better results than their counterparts who chose the singular approach. These groups in apps like Fitbit, MyFitnessPal foster the spirit of togetherness and camaraderie, which is beneficial in working towards a common goal.
- Websites promoting healthy eating practices: The term “food porn” is commonly used for foodaholics who browse videos and images of mouth-watering and finger-licking food recipes to devour them visually and keep themselves satiated. To neutralize their effects, some social media sites and apps like Betterme promote healthy eating in the most visually appealing way. Digital vision boards can be created on apps like Pinterest, where different boards can be designated for several aspects of weight management.
- Low-cost options are not making a dent in the wallet: Weight loss can be quite expensive if someone hires a personal trainer or even buys a gym membership. Apps provide all the necessary weight tracking tools, such as steps counter in apps like Stepbet, calories & water tracker in MyPlate, etc., for free. So, web-based programs can be much cheaper than conventional therapies.
- Safe space for sharing: A trusted group of sensitive individuals can be ideal for sharing the milestones in the weight loss journey, as there is no fear of judgment in the community of like-minded individuals.
Battling weight issues or facing obesity can be overwhelming and have a catastrophic impact on the mental health of the respective person. These web-based programs or group weight loss apps can be instrumental in achieving health goals in the long run; only we need to follow all the safety guidelines carefully when sharing data and personal information on these social platforms.
