Weight Tracking/Graph

[DJ]

Derrek,

First, I have to say, I'm impressed with the level of interaction and
attention you're giving to users here, It goes a long way toward
building a loyal customer base. So, thanks!

Second, I am very pleased with the way iScale allows me to create food
items and meals and to keep track of calories each day. It works
great. The only thing in that area that I would like to be able to do
is to delete meals and foods from the database, but I understand from
your previous postings why that's not possible now. As far as I'm
concerned, it's doing exactly what I needed in that department.

OK, on to my request:

I think the calorie tracking and meal/food tracking is great the way
it is. I do appreciate some of the requests of others to improve this
and would agree with most (although, I would not want to be forced to
enter a password every time I want to use the program).

That part of the program is up and running great. But the "weight"
tracking feature is completely absent. Therefore, I would request that
you put weight tracking at the top of your priority list before
"tweaking" the already functional calorie/food tracking functions.

The program is called "iScale," after all, which leads one to believe
it has something to do with tracking weight. I am entering my weight
diligently each day, but it's useless right now. I know you're
planning to add tracking, etc. later, so it's not a waste, but I would
be disappointed if this is very long in coming. I want it yesterday.
(grin!)

In regard to function: I'd really like to at least be able to see
weight presented in the following two formats/ways...

1) To be able to see it graphically represented in a line graph,
clearly depicting increases and decreases (drops) over both a week,
month, three and six month periods. At a glance, we can track our
progress and be encouraged, noting trends, etc.

2) To be able to see the numbers simply listed vertically with the
amount of increase or decrease listed to the side of each entry -
including total loss/gain from when we started entering data and loss/
gain between individual weigh ins.

Does this sound like something you can do for us?

If you can give me that (and reliable updates that don't make me lose
my data - I know you're working on that), then you've got a loyal
customer who will tell others about your great product.

Thanks again for all of your hard work, helpful attitude, and
willingness to receive our input. Would that all software companies
learned from your example!

DJ

[Derrek Leute]

1) this is on the way! I expect a september release to have this
(maybe sooner, but the current priority is journal summary and custom
fields).

2) could you provide a link to just such a graph?

--Derrek

http://www.allofzero.com/~dleute/

home: (802) 347-1573
cell: (516) 528-4619

Sent from my iPhone

[DJ]

I will try, but no promises. I'm not sure if I can find one. That's
why I'm asking for one from you!

I know the new Wii Fit program has one like this, but not sure I can
get a screen shot of it.

DJ

On Aug 5, 11:57 am, Derrek Leute <dle...@allofzero.com> wrote:
> 1) this is on the way! I expect a september release to have this  
> (maybe sooner, but the current priority is journal summary and custom  
> fields).
>
> 2) could you provide a link to just such a graph?
>
> --Derrek
>
> http://www.allofzero.com/~dleute/
>
> home: (802) 347-1573
> cell: (516) 528-4619
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>

> > DJ- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

[DJ]

OK, Let me know if these are any help:


1) This one's in Japanese, but it shows the weight graph in Wii Fit:
http://www.4colorrebellion.com/media/pics/08/03/week6graph.jpg

2) Another example from Wii Fit, but in English. This is BMI, though:
http://onnintendo.com/Posts/2008_05/53/2/00004.jpg

3) A line graph other than Wii Fit, and not about weight, but still
shows what I'm describing (the pink line for example):
http://www.popsci.com/files/imagecache/article_image_large/files/articles/investing_graph1_485.jpg

It really doesn't have to be complicated. If it just plots each day
and connects the dots with some general measurements on the left for
weight and bottom for date(s), then it will visually depict loss and
gain just fine.

I saw this too. I don't know if FitReach is a competitor of yours, but
I'm glad you don't require an online login, etc. and that you chose to
go the route of having everything self-contained in the iPod Touch/
iPhone. That's a deal maker/breaker for me.

http://www.fitreach.com/blog/10/how-the-iphone-can-help-you-lose-weight/

Thanks, Derrek.

DJ

> > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -

[Derrek Leute]

The answer is yes, this kind of thing is coming. :) I didn't include
it to begin with because I wanted to see what kinds of things users
will want from the program. I have always intended to include some
kind of graphing once it became apparent what features are the most
important. Also, most people don't have a long enough history to make
graphing useful currently. After about a month, the data begins to
become extremely useful. Until then, having such a feature wouldn't do
anyone good.

Particularly that 3rd example is the kind of thing I envisioned.

One of the complexities of graphing is it would be really nice to have
overlaid graphs. I.E. weight, carbs, fat, calories all on one graph
(or other nutritional items). The problem is they all use different
measures. I have a thought about how to deal with that, but it is a
complicated issue that can be difficult to make "easy" to understand.
I don't want to get people too excited about my idea yet as I'm not
100% sure I can accomplish it in a useable manner. But stay tuned!
When I have more information, I'll post it!

Also, I have a visual statistics expert helping me with some of this.
The upcoming journal summary and eventual graphing should be superb!

--Derrek

[Jennifer]

Hey Derrek,

I have an idea about the graphs for fat, carbs, etc. It may be a
little complicated, but here goes.

I think that in the journal, there should be a target amount. For
example, the user will define their goal calorie intake (by default,
it could be the USDA's recommended daily allowance). The graph will
represent the percentage of calories that the user consumed in
relationship to their goal. And it can be the same with the other
values. Does my idea make sense? .

> >http://www.popsci.com/files/imagecache/article_image_large/files/arti...

[Derrek Leute]

Yes, it makes sense and is very similar to the idea I haven't said
much about yet. :)

But first I want to have the journal summary be put through its paces
before I tackle the regular graphing. I should have the journal
functionality in an update in a week or two.

--Derrek

[J]

How about just adding weight as a goal for now? I don't necessarily
need a graph, but to set a weight goal and see it under the goals mode
would be great.

> >> overlaid graphs. I.E.weight, carbs, fat, calories all on one graph

> >> (or other nutritional items). The problem is they all use different
> >> measures. I have a thought about how to deal with that, but it is a
> >> complicated issue that can be difficult to make "easy" to understand.
> >> I don't want to get people too excited about my idea yet as I'm not
> >> 100% sure I can accomplish it in a useable manner. But stay tuned!
> >> When I have more information, I'll post it!
>
> >> Also, I have a visual statistics expert helping me with some of this.
> >> The upcoming journal summary and eventual graphing should be superb!
>
> >> --Derrek
>
> >> On Aug 5, 2008, at 6:35 PM, DJ wrote:
>
> >>> OK, Let me know if these are any help:
>

> >>> 1) This one's in Japanese, but it shows theweightgraph in Wii Fit:

> >>>http://www.4colorrebellion.com/media/pics/08/03/week6graph.jpg
>
> >>> 2) Another example from Wii Fit, but in English. This is BMI,  
> >>> though:
> >>>http://onnintendo.com/Posts/2008_05/53/2/00004.jpg
>

> >>> 3) A line graph other than Wii Fit, and not aboutweight, but still

> >>> shows what I'm describing (the pink line for example):
> >>>http://www.popsci.com/files/imagecache/article_image_large/files/arti
> >>> ...
>
> >>> It really doesn't have to be complicated. If it just plots each day
> >>> and connects the dots with some general measurements on the left for

> >>>weightand bottom for date(s), then it will visually depict loss and

> >>>>>> you putweighttracking at the top of your priority list before

> >>>>>> "tweaking" the already functional calorie/food tracking  
> >>>>>> functions.
>
> >>>>>> The program is called "iScale," after all, which leads one to
> >>>>>> believe

> >>>>>> it has something to do with trackingweight. I am entering my

> >>>>>>weight
> >>>>>> diligently each day, but it's useless right now. I know you're
> >>>>>> planning to add tracking, etc. later, so it's not a waste, but I
> >>>>>> would
> >>>>>> be disappointed if this is very long in coming. I want it
> >>>>>> yesterday.
> >>>>>> (grin!)
>
> >>>>>> In regard to function: I'd really like to at least be able to see

> >>>>>>weightpresented in the following two formats/ways...

[Derrek Leute]

You can simulate this now as another user has done (however it is
somewhat awkward)

You can add a custom field weight in settings. Then create a weight
food with 1 in the weight field. You will now have the ability to add
a weight goal. To track your weight, add the weight food to the day
and then tap it to adjust the "servings" amount and enter your weight.

It's not ideal and the data may not transfer to other "weight"
features later (Like a future BMI calculation), but you could see it
in the goal area now.

--Derrek