Wellness Tech
4 Accessories to Help You Make 2018 Your Healthiest Year Yet
4 accessories to keep your fitness on track this year.
did you ring in the new year like 45 percent of the American population with health and fitness-related goals (source: Statista)? I've definitely been there. I've made plenty of lofty weight loss and fitness plans that I've mostly forgotten by February, and by the time March rolls around, I've memorized the taco truck's weekly route. This year I didn't set rigorous 2018 goals. Instead, I live by mottos like “Survival of the fittest” or maybe “Who needs sleep anyway?” Having small children is a beautiful experience where you never sleep through the night or get to eat all of your sandwich again.
Even though I didn't set any big resolutions this year, I am continuing my ongoing commitment to focusing on my overall health and wellbeing. It isn't easy to lead a balanced lifestyle, especially when you're spending a lot of time holding the refrigerator door open looking for answers. But I've found that sometimes it's the little things in life that make the biggest impact on our health. Here, I'll share some ways we can all use technology to our advantage in order to lead a healthier, more balanced lifestyle amid whatever chaos life throws at us.
Garmin Vivosmart 3 ($139.99)
As a marathoner, I can't express how irritating it has been to run with my phone shoved in a sleeve or pocket. It's 2018; I shouldn't have to deal with this! Garmin to the rescue. I know activity trackers aren't necessarily a new technology, but I, along with so many others, have been too cheap to bite the bullet and splurge on one. When I finally did, it was so refreshing. The Vivosmart 3 is thin and sleek with a nice waterproof band. My favorite part of the tracker is the diversity of activities it supports. It's great to be able to go completely phone free and still track your fitness as you go from swimming laps to running to weight lifting. It also counts your steps, tracks your sleep, and keeps tabs on your stress levels throughout the day. The app syncs with the free MyFitnessPal app so you can see in real time how many calories you've burned each day versus how many you've consumed. The Vivosmart 3 honestly offers more features than I could ever use and will keep even the healthiest among us busy for a long time with its easy-to-use app.
Jabra Elite Sport Earbuds ($219.99)
This pair of earbuds is my secret weapon! I love these little guys probably more than I should admit. It took me more time to open the box than it did to start listening to music. They are incredibly user friendly, which is a humongous perk for me. Speaking of perks, the free Jabra Sport Life app has a “Find my headphones” feature that helps you track down misplaced earbuds using Bluetooth, which is a lifesaver. Not only do the Elite Sports offer great sound, but they are also waterproof and extremely comfortable. They're perfect for any distance runner, with a heart rate analyzer that updates you in real time during your workout and a battery that can last up to 13.5 hours. While I prefer using the earbud's noise cancelling setting when I'm indoors, I opt for the HearThrough option during outdoor training. I wore them running under ear warmers last winter, and I could hear cars passing by while still hearing my music clearly and without interruption. The best feature is the Workout section in the app. You can use the app's pre-planned workouts to cross train or run with a coach in your ear motivating you to keep going. These earbuds are seriously all you need for a total body workout. They are worth every penny!
Vivo Barefoot Stealth II ($150)
The Vivo Barefoot shoes aren't smart shoes in that they don't have an app that syncs to your phone, but nevertheless the technology behind them makes them a smart buy. The whole idea behind Vivo Barefoot shoes is that human feet are biomechanical masterpieces all on their own and that modern shoes impede their natural functions. So, Vivo created an ultra-sleek, extremely durable, thin-soled shoe. They have no heel or support built in so that your foot can receive maximum sensory feedback. I was skeptical when I first tried them on, but I found that they are completely different from any other shoe I have ever worn. I'm still working on my own transition back to strong healthy feet. I haven't attempted to run in them yet, even though you can. Right now, I am trying to slowly rediscover my own natural skill of healthy movements with good sensory feedback from my feet to brain. With no padding or heel support, I would only suggest these shoes to someone who is not only comfortable barefoot but who prefers it.
Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart Electric Toothbrush 9300 ($159.99–$229.99)
I brush my teeth most nights in a sleep-deprived blur. This electric toothbrush by Philips not only gives me a justleft-the-dentist clean feeling, but it's removed all guesswork from the process and taught me how to have excellent oral health—something I didn't know I was so ignorant about before owning this toothbrush. The app shows you in real time if you've missed spots while brushing and areas that need the most focus based on your own personalized mouth map. It has a pressure sensor that lights up when you brush too hard, which is a really excellent reminder and one of my favorite features. There are four different cleaning modes and three different intensity settings all depending on what you need for your own personalized dental plan. It also comes with three different premium brush heads, one for cleaning and plaque removal, one for gum care, and one for whitening and stain removal. I've never had specialized brush heads, but they make a huge difference, cleaning up to 10 times better than generic brush heads. It charges wirelessly in a glass cup and comes with a premium travel case. For anyone who wants a more thorough oral hygiene routine, this smart toothbrush is definitely for you.
Briana Dicks is the proud mother of two fiery little girls. She is an advocate for happiness, reading, healthy living, and truth-telling.