The new platform is called BodyMedia FIT™ Mobile which integrates your body’s data with smartphone apps on iPhone® and Android™ mobile devices. The new product line includes two new technologies that can keep you connected to your body information and keep you motivated all day to make healthy choices.

• Downloadable Mobile Apps for current users that allow you to log your food and see a snapshot of your personal activity manager throughout the day based on the last time you synced your Armband. BodyMedia FIT™ Armband BW with Bluetooth® wireless technology communicates directly with a smartphone to provide real-time caloric burn data, physical activity levels and steps taken right on your phone to track your fitness goals. There is also a food logging tool and a feature to create a personalized workout based upon your caloric, activity or step targets right on the spot.

So we put the concept of this exciting new technology to the test at our product launch event. First I should say since we aren’t a conventional company, we celebrated the launch with an event at a ping-pong club called SPiN in New York City. Yes, there is an actual club in the middle of New York City where you can play ping-pong!

During the course of the event, I was paired up with a national ping-pong champion and I am proud to say I held my own (okay, he was using his cell phone as a paddle). But, what I found even more interesting was the amount of calories that I burned during this serious ping-pong challenge. Since I was wearing the new Armband BW, I was able to see my calorie burn level in real-time and I was AMAZED at the amount of calories burned just playing ping-pong – 120 calories in 15 minutes. Had I done it for an hour, wow! Now keeping up with the pro player would have been a whole different story. Seeing how my calorie count jumped right there on my smartphone, I was already plotting what tasty dinner I might find in New York City that evening. My example is a true testament to the value of having real time information to manage physical activity and food choices. It’s all in the power of the data!

Android users can download the app free of charge from the Android Market; iPhone users can download the app for free from the Apple App Store. The Armband is available on Amazon.com as well as through the BodyMedia website …and just in case your best friend doesn’t have the secret power of BodyMedia’s data, now through Dec. 31 we are offering free UPS Ground shipping so you can motivate each other in a new way to compare your real time data.

I am interested to hear some of your activities that you are surprised burn a lot of calories.

Apple, the Apple logo, and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Android is a trademark of Google Inc. Use of this trademark is subject to Google Permissions. The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by BodyMedia, Inc is under license.

Just a few months ago, we launched update 3.1 to our Activity Manager software. And now, we’re back at it again! We’re happy to announce more new innovations to the Activity Manager…

Combined Goals & Targets

We have combined the separate Goals and Targets pages into one section called Goals. Now, you can set both weight management goals as well as activity goals from this one page.

Improved Goal Tracking & Easy Goal Resetting

There are several reasons that you may revisit and change your personal goals. When you first use BodyMedia FIT, you may discover that your body naturally burns more calories (or less) than is first calculated. Or as you start losing weight, you may discover that your body may start burning calories more efficiently. Whatever the reason, we wanted to make it easier for people to reset their goals.

On the new Goals page, you will be able to adjust your current goals. Also, the baseline weight on the Weight Tracking Chart will be updated to match any new goals that you have set.

Flexible Goals

Meeting goals requires a balance of Calories In and Calories Out. We all know that we can alter these two variables (Exercise More or Eat Less or both) to meet our daily calorie deficit objective. Now you can fine tune your targets to meet what works best with your own personal lifestyle. Can’t find time to exercise more? Why not reduce your calories consumed target. Want to eat more and love to exercise? Why not increase your calorie burn and your calorie intake. This improvement is just another way that we at BodyMedia are trying to improve our system to make it FIT (no pun intended) into your individual lifestyle.

We’re also featuring some improvements for new users as well — including a simplified setup process and a more intuitive goal setting page.

If you’d like more information about these changes please click here.

Remember, we make improvements with input from our users like you. We keep on working to improve BodyMedia FIT and make it easier for you to use so that we continue to be your partner in your weight loss journey. So keep the feedback coming!

You already know that BodyMedia FIT gives you personalized information about your unique activity, eating and sleep habits. NOW you can also personalize the outside of the Armband to your own personality and style.  As the weather is getting warmer, go ahead and show some skin – add BodyMedia Skins to personalize your Armband!

Skins are pre-cut printed vinyls that easily attach to the outside of your Armband sensor.  Our catalogue of over 100 colorful designs has something for everyone – from sporty to artsy to edgy.  Plus, you can even create your own custom design.

Buy one to spice up your Armband or buy more so you can change your style.  Make your Armband reflect your unique personality – show some Skin!

The new Skins are just an example of the many great things we have in the works.  As always, I encourage you to continue to post ideas or suggestions on this website or on our Facebook fan page. We strive to make BodyMedia FIT a valuable partner in your weight loss program.  With your help we can achieve that objective!

This new version of the Activity Manager offers the following:

• Personal Bests – The Activity Manager now includes a page capturing your best performances on some of our most popular measurements.
• Notifications – When you log into your Activity Manager, you will notice a new feature which automatically displays your new messages and reminders.  For example now we’ll periodically prompt you to update your current weight or we’ll inform you when you have achieved a new Personal Best.
• Share on Facebook – Now you can post your daily Summary Data and your Personal Best data to your Facebook wall.

I’m particularly interested in this new Facebook feature because I know that I stay motivated with the support of my family and friends and look forward to sharing my progress with them (and maybe getting some encouragement when I have a bad day and don’t hit my goals).

Other Improvements

• Faster site navigation by redesigning the sub-menus at the top of the page
• Faster weight and waist logging
• Option to edit or remove a historical weight/waist entry if you entered it incorrectly
• Other general site performance improvements

If you’d like more information about these changes please click here.

These improvements were made with input from our users like you. We are committed to regularly improve BodyMedia FIT so that it continues to be a valuable partner in your weight loss program.  With your help we can achieve that objective.