A Fork That Helps You Lose Weight!

HAPILABS introduces HAPIfork (and spoon) smart utensils, brings metrics to your mouthfuls (hands-on)  Hands-on

By James Trew

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How smart is your fork? We wager not smart enough. Enter HAPILABS and the HAPIfork which brings your cutlery kicking and screaming into 2013. The basic concept is an eating tool that measures three metrics -- how long you eat for, how long between each mouthful and how many of them you take. It uses the data to give you feedback on your eating habits which can be viewed online via a sports-tracking-style web interface. There is, of course, a brace of companion mobile apps too for Android and iOS, allowing you to track your eating habits on the go. The fork has another trick up its sleeve too, which is that when it thinks you're eating too fast, it'll vibrate when you put it to your lips to let you know to slow down, cowboy.

The current model has a USB connection to pipe the info up to the web apps, and there is a Bluetooth-enabled version on the way. The firm let slip that there was also a spoon version (which is effectively a different attachment for same smart innards) in the works. The serious aim here is to get folk to think about how they eat, and there's a 21-day training plan included to get you on the right path. If you want to smarten up your dinner set, it'll cost you $99 for the USB only version which launches in Q2 this year. The Bluetooth unit comes later in 2014. Take a slow bite on the PR after the break.

The units themselves feel like weighty travel utensils at first, but don't feel too light or cheap. The brains of the machine are hidden inside, and the end cap is where you'll get access to the USB connection. The handle sheaths are entirely removable for easy cleaning. There is a feedback light at the end which will go green when you're good to eat, and go red (as well as vibrate!) should you be packing the food in too fast. The inclusion of a social gaming element, as well as the rather more sober element of the online metrics remind you that, while this might not be the cheapest fork in the world, there really is every chance it's the happiest.

Check out the CNET video below for more information.

Progress and Mistakes

Losing Weight is a Mind Game!

Try Bare Fruit!

I love apple chips but don't like the fact that many brands have the calories of potato chips! Then I came across "Healthy Snacks Bare Fruit".The only ingredient in the bag is apples! They are only 90 calories for 1.1 ounces and taste amazing! They are organic and come in several different flavors: cinnamon apple, granny apple and fuji apple. So, if your looking for a healthy snack to eat between meals or as a light dessert try Healthy Snacks Bare Fruit! For more information visit http://www.barefruitsnacks.com.

Practice Your ABC's While Dancing!

They recently added a Bokwa dance class to my gym. I love trying new physical activities so I went to a class. It is unlike anything I could have imagined.

It is an aerobic medium- high impact class that has moves based on numbers and the letters of the alphabet! At first the concept seemed ridiculous but once you start dancing it is addictive! I definitely worked up a sweat during the class; the intensity was similar to a Zumba class. But, we were all surprised at the end of class when the instructor stated the class we just completed was level 1 and that there are 7 levels! My, what is level 7 like!

"Bokwa® is a new and completely different approach to group exercise that is rapidly spreading across the globe. Bokwa® participants draw letters and numbers with their feet while performing an energizing and addictive cardio workout routine. Moving together to today’s most popular music, participants off all ages draw the Bokwa® L, 3, J, K and dozens of other steps"- bokwafitness .com.

"Bokwa® was developed by international fitness personality Paul Mavi, a leading Los Angeles based Group Fitness Instructor. Tapping into his native South African roots as a dancer and musician, he develop Bokwa® for his own classes over an 8 year period. In early 2012, Paul partnered with Johann Verheem, a seasoned direct response television and fitness entrepreneur. Since then, Bokwa® has developed a loyal following across the globe with certified instructors and participants in dozens of countries"- bokwafitness.com.

To see Bokwa dance in action  watch the video's below.

Try Kim's Magic Pop!

I was at Costco the other day and saw an interesting looking item call "Kim's Magic Pop". It looked like crispy pitas. Since I love pita bread, but hate the calories, I picked a bag up to read the nutritional information. I was happy to see that each "Magic Pop" has only 15 calories! Imagine a product that looks like, and is the size of pita bread, 15 calories! I bought it and immediately opened the package when I got home to try one. They are light and airy like "Wasa Crisp and Light Crackers" but are about twice the size and have a fresh popped taste. They are made of a blend of wheat, brown rice and corn.

Costco had the original flavor but they currently come in 7 flavors and will be adding 3 additional flavors shortly. See the flavors below.

If your looking for an ultra low calorie, crunchy alternative to chips and crackers try Kim's Magic Pop! For more information go to www.kimsmagic pop.com.

Try Nia Dance!

My gym recently added a class called NIA. It is a non-impact aerobic class that is performed barefoot. If you take kickboxing, Zumba and yoga classes at the gym it will be very easy to learn since it is a combination of dance, martial arts and yoga moves. It is a fun, energizing and spiritually uplifting class!

"Nia draws from Tai Chi, Tae Kwon Do, Aikido, jazz dance, modern dance, Duncan dance, yoga, Alexander Technique and Teachings of Moshe Feldenkrais. Every class offers a unique combination of 52 moves that correspond with the main areas of the body: the base, the core and the upper extremities."-www. nianow.com

Below you can watch a few short videos on NIA. 

For more information go to www.nianow.com