Comments on: Introducing Count It Off http://roobasoft.com/blog/2008/11/10/introducing-count-it-off/ Fri, 01 Jan 2010 06:05:21 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Julia http://roobasoft.com/blog/2008/11/10/introducing-count-it-off/comment-page-1/#comment-142450 Julia Thu, 07 May 2009 11:00:49 +0000 http://roobasoft.com/blog/2008/11/10/introducing-count-it-off/#comment-142450 <p>I LOVE this application!! I couldn't live without it. It has really helped me keep fit. I agree with other comments about adding exercise (negative calories) into count it off. If people want to lose weight and stay fit you have to exercise as well as diet. To have one place that records what I eat and how much exercise I do would be amazing and helpful.</p> <p>Keep up the good work!</p> I LOVE this application!! I couldn’t live without it. It has really helped me keep fit. I agree with other comments about adding exercise (negative calories) into count it off. If people want to lose weight and stay fit you have to exercise as well as diet. To have one place that records what I eat and how much exercise I do would be amazing and helpful.

Keep up the good work!

]]> By: The Diet Tools: Keeping Track On The Go | Pat Dryburgh http://roobasoft.com/blog/2008/11/10/introducing-count-it-off/comment-page-1/#comment-139699 The Diet Tools: Keeping Track On The Go | Pat Dryburgh Thu, 26 Mar 2009 23:06:39 +0000 http://roobasoft.com/blog/2008/11/10/introducing-count-it-off/#comment-139699 <p>[...] For those who are interested in UI design, the creator of Count It Off described his design process in a blog post back in November. This entry was posted in blog and tagged apps, health, iphone, the-diet, weight loss « [...]</p> [...] For those who are interested in UI design, the creator of Count It Off described his design process in a blog post back in November. This entry was posted in blog and tagged apps, health, iphone, the-diet, weight loss « [...]

]]> By: Artie http://roobasoft.com/blog/2008/11/10/introducing-count-it-off/comment-page-1/#comment-130515 Artie Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:02:33 +0000 http://roobasoft.com/blog/2008/11/10/introducing-count-it-off/#comment-130515 <p>Looks like an excellent app, won't be trying it till Dec for my birthday gift (Touch). However, I would also like to put in a suggestion/request for the weight graph. As above, the Hackers Diet has a nice description regarding when to weigh yourself and how often. </p> <p>Essentially, every day, same time. But your tracking should do a moving average, say 3days, and keep tabs on the average, not on the individual days.</p> <p>www.physicsdiet.com has such a setup, and it has been working great for me so far.</p> <p>Artie</p> Looks like an excellent app, won’t be trying it till Dec for my birthday gift (Touch). However, I would also like to put in a suggestion/request for the weight graph. As above, the Hackers Diet has a nice description regarding when to weigh yourself and how often.

Essentially, every day, same time. But your tracking should do a moving average, say 3days, and keep tabs on the average, not on the individual days.

http://www.physicsdiet.com has such a setup, and it has been working great for me so far.

Artie

]]> By: Pat http://roobasoft.com/blog/2008/11/10/introducing-count-it-off/comment-page-1/#comment-130451 Pat Wed, 12 Nov 2008 21:21:36 +0000 http://roobasoft.com/blog/2008/11/10/introducing-count-it-off/#comment-130451 <p>Hey Brian, Got to use the app a bit more over the last few days. A lot of things I wish I had found I eventually did (side-swipe an item to delete, change the time you eat something, etc). </p> <p>Here's a few things I wish for, in no particular order: </p> <p>1) Someone above mentioned including additional nutritional data. I agree. It would be awesome to be able to see a break down of how much fat, sugar, cholesterol, etc. I'm eating each day. </p> <p>2) I don't really need the bubble on the app icon telling me how many more calories I need. An option to turn it off would be cool. </p> <p>3) Someone else suggested a workout tracking part. Quite honestly, I would actually suggest <strong>not</strong> including that. What you should do is release a secondary iPhone app that will manage that information, and then have the option of integrating the two into one web app. The main reason is because the best iPhone apps are the ones that do one thing and do it really, really well. You've pretty much nailed that already with this app, and adding another "thing to do" would dilute the experience. Also, from a business prospective it would be better to have the two income streams rather than just the one. </p> <p>Just a thought ;)</p> <p>Cheers, Pat</p> Hey Brian, Got to use the app a bit more over the last few days. A lot of things I wish I had found I eventually did (side-swipe an item to delete, change the time you eat something, etc).

Here’s a few things I wish for, in no particular order:

1) Someone above mentioned including additional nutritional data. I agree. It would be awesome to be able to see a break down of how much fat, sugar, cholesterol, etc. I’m eating each day.

2) I don’t really need the bubble on the app icon telling me how many more calories I need. An option to turn it off would be cool.

3) Someone else suggested a workout tracking part. Quite honestly, I would actually suggest not including that. What you should do is release a secondary iPhone app that will manage that information, and then have the option of integrating the two into one web app. The main reason is because the best iPhone apps are the ones that do one thing and do it really, really well. You’ve pretty much nailed that already with this app, and adding another “thing to do” would dilute the experience. Also, from a business prospective it would be better to have the two income streams rather than just the one.

Just a thought ;)

Cheers, Pat

]]> By: Count it Off for iPhone Sketches | TightWind http://roobasoft.com/blog/2008/11/10/introducing-count-it-off/comment-page-1/#comment-130392 Count it Off for iPhone Sketches | TightWind Tue, 11 Nov 2008 21:58:47 +0000 http://roobasoft.com/blog/2008/11/10/introducing-count-it-off/#comment-130392 <p>[...] Count it Off is a simple application which tracks your daily calorie intake. Here is its design process. [...]</p> [...] Count it Off is a simple application which tracks your daily calorie intake. Here is its design process. [...]

]]> By: Chris http://roobasoft.com/blog/2008/11/10/introducing-count-it-off/comment-page-1/#comment-130383 Chris Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:15:45 +0000 http://roobasoft.com/blog/2008/11/10/introducing-count-it-off/#comment-130383 <p>Martin, It's a little confusing to claim that "calories count virtually serves no purpose to loose weight" when your own primary suggestion to lose weight is to "eat a little bit less." </p> <p>I don't think most people have the time and inclination to track their intake of various macronutrients on a daily basis. I started counting calories 10 months ago (on an excel spreadsheet), and I've lost over 20 pounds since then. Of course I'm trying to find ways to exercise more regularly and eat a more balanced diet, but my BMI is almost within a 'normal' range now just because I took the simple step of tracking how much potential energy I am consuming (and then eating a little less, of course).</p> <p>I'm glad that apps like this are making it easier to monitor some aspect of eating habits. I'm sure a trained nutritionist finds these kinds of tools inadequate, but for most people this is a lot better than nothing at all.</p> Martin, It’s a little confusing to claim that “calories count virtually serves no purpose to loose weight” when your own primary suggestion to lose weight is to “eat a little bit less.”

I don’t think most people have the time and inclination to track their intake of various macronutrients on a daily basis. I started counting calories 10 months ago (on an excel spreadsheet), and I’ve lost over 20 pounds since then. Of course I’m trying to find ways to exercise more regularly and eat a more balanced diet, but my BMI is almost within a ‘normal’ range now just because I took the simple step of tracking how much potential energy I am consuming (and then eating a little less, of course).

I’m glad that apps like this are making it easier to monitor some aspect of eating habits. I’m sure a trained nutritionist finds these kinds of tools inadequate, but for most people this is a lot better than nothing at all.

]]> By: BrianC http://roobasoft.com/blog/2008/11/10/introducing-count-it-off/comment-page-1/#comment-130378 BrianC Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:41:33 +0000 http://roobasoft.com/blog/2008/11/10/introducing-count-it-off/#comment-130378 <p>Thanks everyone I haven't individually responded to for the feedback. It's very much appreciated. I'm taking it all into account in future versions and how I can add some of these features while still keeping the focus "simple calorie and weight tracking".</p> <p>Colin: Yes, it has! I've been thinking about giving read only access to my profile on the web app. This would be to both be a demo to see what the app looks like and to show how it's working for me. I've lost about 5 pounds since first starting on the app. Plenty to go, but it's a start. </p> <p>Having the app on my phone has been the key. I always have my phone, so I can always log my calories. Also knowing how many calories I have left in the day honestly helps me make smarter choices and prevents things like 4 cookies after dinner :) Hopefully others will find similar results.</p> Thanks everyone I haven’t individually responded to for the feedback. It’s very much appreciated. I’m taking it all into account in future versions and how I can add some of these features while still keeping the focus “simple calorie and weight tracking”.

Colin: Yes, it has! I’ve been thinking about giving read only access to my profile on the web app. This would be to both be a demo to see what the app looks like and to show how it’s working for me. I’ve lost about 5 pounds since first starting on the app. Plenty to go, but it’s a start.

Having the app on my phone has been the key. I always have my phone, so I can always log my calories. Also knowing how many calories I have left in the day honestly helps me make smarter choices and prevents things like 4 cookies after dinner :) Hopefully others will find similar results.

]]> By: Colin Dunn http://roobasoft.com/blog/2008/11/10/introducing-count-it-off/comment-page-1/#comment-130377 Colin Dunn Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:25:12 +0000 http://roobasoft.com/blog/2008/11/10/introducing-count-it-off/#comment-130377 <p>Nice job. Big question, though - has it helped <b>you</b> to lose any weight?</p> <p>Colin</p> Nice job. Big question, though – has it helped you to lose any weight?

Colin

]]> By: Roger http://roobasoft.com/blog/2008/11/10/introducing-count-it-off/comment-page-1/#comment-130373 Roger Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:03:57 +0000 http://roobasoft.com/blog/2008/11/10/introducing-count-it-off/#comment-130373 <p>I just downloaded the app and so far I love it - it looks like a great replacement for what I've been keeping in Excel. The one request I have is some way to have quantities/units when inputing foods. For example, if I eat two granola bars, I want to be able to put a 2x multiplier instead of putting it in twice. Or if I have a half cup of milk with my cereal, or five ounces of pasta, I want to be able to put that in instead of having separate food items for half cup, full cup, three-quarters cup, etc. The way I implement this in excel is a column for calories per unit (cup, gram, tablespoon, whatever) and a column for number of units; then it calculates the total calories. So in your application, the number of calories per unit (and which unit is chosen) would be constant; the number of units eaten would be input each time you have the item. I know a lot of people wouldn't want this level of complexity, so perhaps this can be an option. But I make a lot of my own food instead of buying pre-measured portions, and unless the quantity will matter, I'll subconsciously inflate it, driving up my calorie intake.</p> <p>Thanks! Otherwise, I love the app.</p> I just downloaded the app and so far I love it – it looks like a great replacement for what I’ve been keeping in Excel. The one request I have is some way to have quantities/units when inputing foods. For example, if I eat two granola bars, I want to be able to put a 2x multiplier instead of putting it in twice. Or if I have a half cup of milk with my cereal, or five ounces of pasta, I want to be able to put that in instead of having separate food items for half cup, full cup, three-quarters cup, etc. The way I implement this in excel is a column for calories per unit (cup, gram, tablespoon, whatever) and a column for number of units; then it calculates the total calories. So in your application, the number of calories per unit (and which unit is chosen) would be constant; the number of units eaten would be input each time you have the item. I know a lot of people wouldn’t want this level of complexity, so perhaps this can be an option. But I make a lot of my own food instead of buying pre-measured portions, and unless the quantity will matter, I’ll subconsciously inflate it, driving up my calorie intake.

Thanks! Otherwise, I love the app.

]]> By: Martin http://roobasoft.com/blog/2008/11/10/introducing-count-it-off/comment-page-1/#comment-130368 Martin Tue, 11 Nov 2008 10:46:15 +0000 http://roobasoft.com/blog/2008/11/10/introducing-count-it-off/#comment-130368 <p>Looks like a nice application, however, calories count virtually serves no purpose to loose weight. Although you might loose some pounds due to the fact that you're consuming less calories, you can easily regain them after you resume your "normal life". More important is that you eat a balanced amount of nutrients (even some saturated fats are ok). The metabolism is a complex process and subject of many books, but in essence, it has been demonstrated that it's best to to keep your insulins levels low, to reduce the boost the Pancreas will trigger to compensate sugar levels in the blood. Eat a little bit less, eat healthy, don't skip meals, forget potatoes, coke, cooked carrots, and stuff that rises insulin levels too fast and contains bad nutrients. There are books about this subject.</p> <p>For what is worth, the app looks nice, but if you google a little bit, you'll see that since Calories started to be counted, the number of fat people grew by 400% (we're talking about the sixties, seventies, etc..).</p> <p>Good luck!</p> Looks like a nice application, however, calories count virtually serves no purpose to loose weight. Although you might loose some pounds due to the fact that you’re consuming less calories, you can easily regain them after you resume your “normal life”. More important is that you eat a balanced amount of nutrients (even some saturated fats are ok). The metabolism is a complex process and subject of many books, but in essence, it has been demonstrated that it’s best to to keep your insulins levels low, to reduce the boost the Pancreas will trigger to compensate sugar levels in the blood. Eat a little bit less, eat healthy, don’t skip meals, forget potatoes, coke, cooked carrots, and stuff that rises insulin levels too fast and contains bad nutrients. There are books about this subject.

For what is worth, the app looks nice, but if you google a little bit, you’ll see that since Calories started to be counted, the number of fat people grew by 400% (we’re talking about the sixties, seventies, etc..).

Good luck!

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