Low tech weight loss

I’m pretty old. 62!

August 1965. I'm 11-years-old. That's me, third from the left and I already decided I needed to wear long shorts to cover my thighs that were not thin like my friends' were!

August 1965. I’m 11-years-old. That’s me, third from the left and I already decided I needed to wear long shorts to cover my thighs that were not thin like my friends’ were! Luckily longer tops was the style, but mine was to camouflage a belly!

I’ll admit it. Maybe it’s because I’m old that I like low tech weight loss. Just because I’m old and I confessed to liking low-tech weight loss, don’t think I am technology challenged.

I was the first of my family and peers to own an iPhone. I’ve upgraded devices with each new iteration. I’m current with the newest iOS 9.2. My apps are all kept updated too, although I refuse to buy more storage on the cloud!

No escaping this message unless I either buy more storage or "manage my files."

No escaping this message unless I either buy more storage or “manage my files.”

I pay bills online, I deposit checks electronically, I’m proficient with MicroSoft Office and AppleWorks. Spreadsheets don’t scare me and I can create a really good PowerPoint presentation with full animation, and embedded video and audio! I follow Enough about my vast and impressive computer skills (for an old lady),the point is I use technology to do many things every day, just not weight loss.

I follow 50cent on Instagram. I may be old, but my musical tastes don't include the Beatles and classic rock.

I follow 50cent on Instagram. I may be old, but my musical tastes don’t include the Beatles and classic rock. And I know how to airdrop!

 

I have a weight loss app, actually several different ones, on my phone but I don’t use them. They’re supposed to be an easy way to find how a food choice counts on a weight loss plan and to track it.They’re there, but I don’t use them.

Oh, I’ve tried! I’ve given it many tries on many different occasions, but every attempt ends within hours. I just don’t like it. I can’t even say why I don’t like it. Here is what I do like. A program book, a notebook to record food, and talking directly with other people, who just like me, often find themselves challenged to manage food and activity choices.

The more diversity in age, lifestyle, and preference, the more I get from our conversations regarding the one thing we do have in common – weight loss. I spend enough time staring at a screen. I decided that when it comes to managing food and activity. I’m happy to silence my phone and put it in my pocket. I don’t even think about logging onto my laptop!

I find a face-to-face, supportive weigh-in, and a half hour focused conversation about the common challenges humans encounter everyday in our environment that makes eating too much easy, and moving enough difficult, an effective and even enjoyable way to address my weight issues.

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I’m spending more time thinking about why I like low-tech weight loss. Maybe it’s because it’s a more organic, natural way to manage weight. It’s a human condition, best addressed in the company of other humans?

I discovered that preferring low-tech weight loss isn’t an old people thing. That’s not to say plenty of we old people don’t favor low-tech over a fully technical approach, I’m saying I meet a lot of younger – much younger 20, 30, even 40 years younger – who can’t seem to get anywhere with their FitBits and My Fitness Pal apps.

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If you’re battling your weight and you have engaged multiple technical weight loss solutions and none seem to work, all hope isn’t lost. It’s not a reflection of you, your character, your willpower, your “fat genes”, or your technical skills. You simply may be another low-tech “loser” like me! Check it out!

I think I got it! What makes me want to eat something rich, sweet and creamy more than anything else? Frustration! What can drive my level of frustration to new highs? Technology that doesn’t work like it’s supposed to work. Ah! No wonder weight loss apps are counterproductive!

 

Jackie Conn

About Jackie Conn

Jackie Conn is married and has four grown daughters and four grandchildren. She is a Weight Watchers success story. She's a weight loss expert with 25 years of experience guiding women and men to their weight-related goals. Her articles on weight management have been published in health, family and women's magazines. She has been a regular guest on Channel 5 WABI news, FOX network morning program Good Day Maine and 207 on WCSH.