Top 8 Reasons to Track Your Health Data and Use a Health Coach

According to a recent survey conducted by GfK (Growth for Knowledge), about one-third of the world population tracks their health data (29% of Americans to be precise) using an app, phone, watch or online mobile service.

Are you tracking yours? If not, you're missing out on an incredibly powerful tool to create the health you've always wanted.

But here's what we've learned in our Community—data will only get you so far. It's how much you understand about that data and what you do with that data that truly counts.

According to new reports, health data tracking alone may not be enough to help you reach your goals. Which is why, at Knew Health, we've combined the power of health data tracking (information) with Health Coaching (action) to bring our Members stellar health outcomes.

In today's article, we'll explore the top 8 reasons to track your health data, and how Knew Health can help you put that data to good use on your wellness journey.

Of all the people in the GfK health tracking survey, the vast majority use health tracking devices to eat better and support healthy weight management. We understand this deeply—many of our Members come to us feeling overwhelmed by conflicting nutrition advice and seeking a clearer path forward.

While the research on whether health tracking alone will result in easier weight management is mixed, health tracking combined with health coaching has been shown to help people create sustainable nutritional habits that actually stick.

The American Journal of Health Promotion study entitled "Health Coaching to Improve Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors: An Integrative Review" demonstrates that Health Coaches helped participants improve a variety of lifestyle habits, including nutrition and weight management. This resonates with what we see daily in our Community—when Members have support and guidance, they're more likely to make lasting changes.

Plus, while the food apps and online food journals of the past only offered calorie-counting (which often left people feeling restricted and frustrated), new tracking apps can account for your unique dietary needs. Whether you're working on reducing sugar, increasing water intake, lowering unhealthy fats, boosting protein, or simply getting more vegetables, these tools can be customized to support your individual wellness goals. Your Health Coach can help you identify which metrics matter most for your specific health journey.

Physical fitness is another top reason people track their health data. But again, research suggests fitness wearables alone may not be enough to improve your physical fitness in the long run. We've seen this firsthand with our Members—having the data is helpful, but knowing what to do with it makes all the difference.

Could it be because one-size-fits-all approaches simply don't work when it comes to exercise?

For example, those dealing with adrenal fatigue or thyroid concerns are typically better off focusing on gentle to moderate exercise 2-5 times a week (think yoga, walking, or swimming), whereas those managing blood sugar challenges may thrive with high-intensity, interval-style workouts 5 times a week. This is personalized wellness at its finest—understanding your body's unique needs and responding accordingly.

This is where accountability and guidance from a professional can truly transform your fitness success. Having someone in your corner who understands your health history, current challenges, and future goals can help you create a movement plan that actually feels good and sustainable.

Studies have consistently shown that working with a Health Coach can help improve physical fitness outcomes. More importantly, our Members tell us that having this support helps them find joy in movement again, rather than viewing exercise as another item on their overwhelming to-do list.

Expecting a little one? There's a health-tracking app for that, and we celebrate this beautiful journey with our Members.

Moms love these tools because they make it easier to stay connected with their health and progress, enabling better communication with their doctors and midwives. We know pregnancy can feel overwhelming at times, and having data at your fingertips can provide reassurance and clarity.

Whether you're interested in monitoring your weight gain, keeping track of your nutrition to ensure you're getting enough key nutrients, understanding mood patterns, or tracking blood sugar levels, pregnancy health trackers offer a wide range of capabilities to support a healthier pregnancy for both mom and baby. Many of our Members find that this data helps them feel more empowered and prepared for their appointments, leading to more productive conversations with their healthcare providers.

At Knew Health, we're passionate about the power of Community to create lasting health transformation. We've built our entire approach around this principle because we know that wellness isn't a solo journey.

In fact, community-based accountability groups are the original health-tracking app!

Think about it. When you dedicate yourself to a 5K run for charity with friends, meditate with your partner to reduce stress and strengthen your relationship, or commit to a 10-day reset with your book club to boost your energy, you're far more likely to succeed within that group dynamic. There's something magical about knowing others are on the journey with you.

Countless studies prove the beneficial effects of group accountability on everything from weight management to mental health and overall wellbeing.

This is why progressive integrative medicine practitioners utilize group visits and establish accountability groups within their practices or online Communities. Health tracking creates connection, and connection makes health tracking more effective. Our Members often tell us that knowing they're part of a caring Community gives them the motivation to keep going, even on challenging days.

Read any article about overcoming sleep challenges or visit a healthcare provider, and one of the first things they'll ask you to do is track your sleep patterns. This includes noting what time you go to bed, what time you wake up, which nights you sleep well or struggle, what times you awaken during the night, what you eat or drink during the day, how much you exercise and when, and so much more.

Why is this so important?

Because patterns are crucial to understanding the root cause of your sleep concerns. We believe in getting to the heart of health challenges, not just managing symptoms.

For example, if you wake up at 4 AM after going to bed at 8 PM or 9 PM and wish you could sleep later, the solution might be as simple as adjusting your bedtime to later in the evening. Sometimes the simplest solutions are the most effective.

Or, if you're a woman who has trouble sleeping 2-5 days before your menstrual cycle, that could indicate a hormonal component that deserves attention and support.

Or if you have trouble sleeping after eating a carbohydrate-heavy meal, a food sensitivity like gluten or wheat could be contributing to your restlessness.

You don't need a fancy app to track sleep (although they certainly exist and can be helpful). All you need is a notepad and a week or two to write down your eating, drinking, sleeping, movement, and stress management habits. These simple observations can reveal powerful clues about what's affecting your rest.

From there, a Health Coach or practitioner can help you analyze that data and craft a personalized plan to help you get the restorative sleep your body needs and deserves.

Like the point we made about sleep, health tracking is essential to getting to the root cause of any puzzling health concern. We believe you deserve answers, not just temporary fixes.

Integrative functional medicine practitioners and Health Coaches are skilled at using your health data to uncover the root cause of even the most complex health challenges. They look at your whole story, not just isolated symptoms.

An "Elimination Diet" is a perfect example of how this works in practice.

At Knew Health, if your Health Coach suspects food sensitivity issues may be contributing to your health concerns, they may recommend a 30-day elimination diet removing specific trigger foods like gluten, dairy, corn, sugar, and/or soy. This isn't about deprivation—it's about discovery.

After the 30 days, you begin reintroducing one previously eliminated food into your diet every 3-5 days, paying careful attention and tracking (via app or journal) any symptoms that appear. You'll share these observations with your Health Coach, who can help you interpret the patterns.

If your chronic congestion, digestive discomfort, or skin condition returns after eating dairy products, for example, then you know that food may be counterproductive to your healing journey.

While some people spend thousands of dollars on allergy testing and food sensitivity panels (which may or may not be eligible for sharing through Medical Cost Sharing), often a simple tracking tool like an elimination diet and a journal is all that's needed to identify a root cause. This empowering approach puts you in the driver's seat of your own health discovery.

One of the controversies about health tracking is whether it's actually useful to your doctor. After all, they don't have direct access to your SmartWatch or fitness tracking account.

However, when you have the right apps and tracking systems in place, they can be immensely valuable in organizing accurate data to share with your healthcare provider.

Smart practitioners and Health Coaches understand this, which is why they may recommend specific technologies to help track your progress, remind you to refill prescriptions or supplements, and keep tabs on your nutrition, sleep, stress, and exercise patterns. This organized approach helps you become an active participant in your healthcare conversations.

Our Members often share that having this data helps them feel more confident and prepared during appointments, leading to more productive discussions about their health goals and concerns.

While better health and root-cause resolution are reason enough to track your health data, it can also help support your financial wellness in several meaningful ways:

• By identifying root causes of health challenges without expensive diagnostics (many of which may be eligible for sharing through your Knew Health Membership when medically necessary)
• Some insurance providers offer members discounts for tracking their health data and meeting certain requirements (like a specific number of steps per day)
• Likewise, some employer-sponsored wellness programs reward employees for reaching health goals via use of health tracking devices
• By helping you stress less and be more productive at work, potentially leading to better career opportunities
• By keeping you engaged in and aware of your own health creation, which can alert you to early signs of concerns before they become chronic conditions requiring more intensive intervention

As Members of our Medical Cost Sharing Community, you already understand the value of taking a proactive approach to health. Tracking your health data is another powerful tool in your wellness toolkit.

If the early years of health data tracking have taught us anything, it's that information alone doesn't always create better health outcomes. It's what you do with that information that truly counts.

At Knew Health, we believe in empowering our Members with both the tools and the support they need to thrive. Our Health Coaches are here to help you make sense of your health data and create actionable plans that fit your life and goals.

Remember, Knew Health is a Medical Cost Sharing Community, not health insurance. We're a Community of like-minded individuals who share in each other's eligible Medical Needs. With options for IUAs of $1,000, $2,500, or $5,000 (with a maximum of 3 IUAs per year), Self-Care Credits for wellness services, and access to blood work and Health Coaching, we're here to support your entire wellness journey.

If you need help putting your health data into action and want to be part of a caring Community that supports your wellness goals, click here to apply for Membership at Knew Health today.

For more information on our favorite health tracking apps and ways to maximize your wellness while managing costs, download your free copy of "The Top 10 Ways to Save on Healthcare in the Trump Era…and Beyond".

To your health-tracking success and wellness journey,

-The Knew Health Team