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The Tech That Tracks the Trek

In my former life as IT Faculty and in my current role as a Manager of Quality and Compliance, I live by a simple maxim: "You cannot manage what you do not measure."

If a server is running slow, I don't guess; I look at the logs. If a program isn't meeting standards, I don't go by "vibes"; I look at the KPIs (Key Performance Indicators).

When I started this "System Restore" on my body at 53, I realized I had to treat my metabolism with the same analytical rigor I treat a government audit. For years, I relied on how I "felt" (which was usually "hungry") or how my pants fit (which was usually "tight"). That wasn't data; that was denial.


Now, I run a "Quantified Self" protocol. I use technology to capture the data points my brain tries to ignore.

But—and this is a massive "but"—there is a fine line between tracking and obsessing. One is useful; the other is a mental health trap.

Here is the tech stack I use to monitor the machine, and how I use the data to verify compliance without losing my mind.

1. The Monitor: Google Pixel Watch 2

I don't need the newest, flashiest Apple Watch Ultra. I need a reliable sensor that tells me if the system is running or idling. My Google Pixel Watch 2 is my daily dashboard.


What I Track:

  • Steps (NEAT): As I wrote in my NEAT Freak post, Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis is critical. My watch keeps me honest. It’s easy to think I’ve been active because I walked to the kitchen twice. The watch tells me the cold hard truth: "You’ve only taken 1,200 steps today, Chris. Get moving."

  • Heart Rate: Given my cardiac history, this is vital. I monitor my resting heart rate (a great proxy for recovery and inflammation) and my active heart rate during my 15 km weekend rucks. It ensures I’m in the aerobic zone, burning fat, not red-lining my engine into stress.

The Rule: The watch is a reminder, not a master. If I hit 9,000 steps instead of 10,000 but I spent 2 hours deep-cleaning the apartment, I don't pace the hallway at midnight. I use common sense.

2. The Auditor: Withings Body+ Scale

The relationship between a dieter and their scale is usually toxic. Mine is purely professional.

I use the Withings Body+ Smart Scale. It doesn't just measure weight; it measures body composition (Body Fat %, Muscle Mass, Water %).


Why It Matters: Remember the "Whoosh Effect"? Standard scales lie. They can't tell the difference between fat loss and water retention. The Withings gives me a peek under the hood.

  • If my weight stays the same but my Body Fat % drops and Water % rises, I know I’m not stalled; I’m just retaining water. The fat is leaving.

  • If my weight drops but it’s mostly Muscle Mass, I know I need to up my protein and calisthenics immediately.

The Rule: I weigh myself daily for the data point, but I only judge the weekly average. The daily number is noise; the trend line is truth.

3. The Logbook: MyFitnessPal

This is the most tedious but most necessary tool in the stack.

I use MyFitnessPal to track my macros. Specifically, I use it to audit against "Carb Creep."


As I mentioned in "The Highest Form of Flattery is a Plateau," humans are terrible at estimating portion sizes. We think a tablespoon of olive oil is "about that much." (It's usually two tablespoons). We think a handful of nuts is "a serving." (It's usually three).

How I Use It: I don't track every calorie every single day forever. That leads to burnout.

  • Spot Audits: I use the app to "calibrate" my eyes. If I buy a new brand of sausage or try a new recipe, I plug it in to verify the math.

  • Troubleshooting: If I stall, I go back to strict tracking for a week. 9 times out of 10, the data reveals a hidden source of carbs or calories I had stopped noticing.

The Rule: The app is a budgeting tool. It tells me if I can afford that extra tablespoon of almond butter. It prevents me from overspending my caloric bank account.

The Takeaway

In information technology, they have a saying: "Trust, but verify."

I trust my body. I trust the process. But I use the tech to verify the results.

  • The Watch verifies I moved enough.

  • The Scale verifies I'm burning fat, not muscle.

  • The App verifies I'm not eating hidden carbs.

This data doesn't dictate my happiness. It simply provides the feedback loop I need to make adjustments. It turns "weight loss" from a mystical, emotional roller coaster into a manageable, engineering project.

And as any good manager knows, when you have good data, you can make good decisions.

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Location: Halifax Regional Municipality, NS, Canada

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