There are many opinions out there regarding the impact technology has had on the way we live. The topic consists of pros and cons as it does with any other topic, and it is up to us as individuals to educate ourselves so we can take a position we are comfortable defending.The way we decide to use technology is not unlike the choices we make when deciding what snack to have. Technology, like food, brings with it benefits when consumed in appropriate portions. As parents, we need to monitor how our children use technology; ensuring the games they play are suitable, blocking websites that contain adult content, and teaching them how to effectively use the information they gather.Keeping physically fit and use of the internet for many aren’t part of a collective thought. I can only assume it’s attributed to the fact that some aren’t familiar with the abundance online resources available to help us keep fit.Online weight loss and maintenance sites are just a click away. Some are free, others have associated monthly charges, but most provide comprehensive solutions. Many sites allow you to create meal plans based on weight loss/gain or maintenance goals, calculate caloric intake, store and/or share recipes, access blogs, and run reports to see how you’re doing.My Fitness Pal (http://www.myfitnesspal.com) is a free site that contains many of the bells and whistles you receive on the subscribed sites and is user friendly. Start by setting up your profile, then set your individual fitness goal and away you go. The site allows you to invite friends, provides advice based on your profile data and is a great caloric tracking tool. The only thing missing is perhaps the professional support that is available when using the subscribed sites.Livingstrong.com (http://www.livestrong.com) is a solid selection as far as subscribed sites are concerned. You are able to access basic functionality without paying their monthly subscription fee, but will quickly find out their free content is limited. In order to take full advantage of their program, you will need to subscribe or identify another suitable option.There are apps available for your mobile device that can help you track your caloric intake when on the move or act a as a GPS device that maps your daily walk or run. We are able to monitor our heart rate using special watches that transmit data back to our online accounts and virtual pedometers that log our progress.The options are limitless; we just need to know where to find them.Next week we’ll spend some time taking a closer look at these devices and other resources designed to keep us fit.