BalanceLog

[Dooks]

Has anybody actually bought this program? I trialled it and it looked decent, but there's no desktop trial version so I'm afraid it might be crap at syncing up.

[sathomasga]

I've been a long time user of BalanceLog (since version 1.0, in fact, when it was separate programs -- DietLog, FitnessLog, ...) I find it so indispensible that I (rationalizing, perhaps?) justified my purchase of the UX50 solely on the ability to run BalanceLog. (I had given up on Palm PDAs when I got a P800 smartphone; but after 9 months, I had to go back to BalanceLog.) Originally, I used DietLog for the obvious purpose of losing weight. In the past few years, however, I've shifted to use it more for tracking nutrition and fitness level. (I'm an avid cyclist.)

You asked about the desktop component, so here are my observations. First, I should say that I don't use the desktop much at all. It has a lot better reports than the PDA version, so I do use it once a week at least for detailed nutritional analysis. I don't actually enter anything in using the desktop, however. Syncing with the PDA works fine. The desktop application is a bit unusual, however. It appears to be designed more for a coach or trainer, as it supports syncing with multiple PDAs. In fact, you have to login to the desktop (with a password) even if you're the only user. There's no way to just start up the desktop and immediately enter information. Also, the desktop version includes its own database application. This runs as a windows service, so it's running all the time on your PC.

Also note that BalanceLog includes access to a Web service that also synchronizes with the PC and PDA versions. Most of the information in the Web service only syncs one-way: from the Web to the PC/PDA. Basic profile information (weight, targets) goes both ways, but logged information (meals, exercises, etc.) only goes from the Web to the PC/PDA. That means you can use the Web interface to log a meal or an excerise (e.g. if your PDA isn't handy); I don't. And, FYI, there is some mention in some of the literature of the Web service being free to registered users for the time being, implying perhaps, that they may charge for it in the future.

One last note, there is a Yahoo group dedicated to BalanceLog. You might want to check through its archives for more comments.

Stephen

[Dooks]

Hey Stephen, thanks very much for the lengthy comments. The price of the program is a bit steep :( But I do see it's pretty well laid out etc. I'm actually on a weight GAIN plan... I've never counted calories but this looks like a good tool. I'm thinking whether I actually NEED this program.

[Geckotek]

Does BalanceLog allow you to track body fat percentage?

If not, does anybody have a suggestion of an app that tracks weight, body fat percentage, and workouts?

[sathomasga]

Originally posted by Geckotek
Does BalanceLog allow you to track body fat percentage?

If not, does anybody have a suggestion of an app that tracks weight, body fat percentage, and workouts?

BalanceLog does track body fat percentage.

Stephen

[Geckotek]

Thanks for your response. I may have to pick it up after my next paycheck. Wish it were cheaper....but I guess you felt it was worth it.

[sathomasga]

Originally posted by Geckotek
Does BalanceLog allow you to track body fat percentage?

If not, does anybody have a suggestion of an app that tracks weight, body fat percentage, and workouts?

Of course you can check this out first-hand by giving the trial version a whirl, but it might be worth noting that BalanceLog is not really a hardcore workout tracking tool. It just counts calories. It has a pretty good selection of pre-defined activities, and you can set a weekly calorie goal (exercise calories, not food calories), but that's about it. If you want to track performance of your workouts (e.g. how much weight lifted, how many mile ran, how fast you've ridden, ...), then BalanceLog won't do it.

Stephen

[Geckotek]

I'm not a big calorie counter....never have been. If I have to count calories, I'll just give up. I do check caloric values of some foods I buy though.

So since I won't use it for that purpose (I MIGHT some, but I'm guessing not much), is it worth the money to track my weight and body fat over time? Any trend analysis?

[sathomasga]

Originally posted by Geckotek
I'm not a big calorie counter....never have been. If I have to count calories, I'll just give up. I do check caloric values of some foods I buy though.

So since I won't use it for that purpose (I MIGHT some, but I'm guessing not much), is it worth the money to track my weight and body fat over time? Any trend analysis?

If you're not counting calories or other nutritional information (g protein for body builders, carbs for the Atkins folks, etc.), then I wouldn't think BalanceLog would be worth the money. It can show you graphs of weight and % body fat, but they're pretty crude graphs. I think you'd be better off with a spreadsheet program (e.g. Quicksheet); that would be useful for other purposes as well.

Stephen