Apple Watch Ultra and smart scale help shed 100+ lbs for 80-mile Camino hike
How a 50+ year old lost 14 lbs/month using GLP-1 and wearables before a grueling hike
ZDNET Senior Editor Adrian Kingsley-Hughes documented a 100+ pound weight loss journey over 7 months, fueled by the GLP-1 drug Mounjaro and a suite of consumer tech. The goal was to successfully hike 80 miles of the Camino Francés in Spain. Core to his daily tracking were the iPhone 17 Pro and Apple Watch Ultra, which logged VO2Max, heart rate, and workout data. A $110 smart scale was critical for ensuring he lost fat, not muscle, during the rapid weight loss (14 lbs/month). The article also covers Android alternatives for non-Apple users.
Beyond wearables, Kingsley-Hughes emphasized the practical payoff: without the weight, his body handled the 80-mile trek with fewer injuries and less fatigue. The piece serves as a real-world case study of how off-the-shelf health tech—when paired with medical guidance and discipline—can enable ambitious physical goals. The author praises the Apple Watch Ultra's ruggedness and the scale's granular body composition tracking, noting that even advanced features like blood glucose monitoring (via future Dexcom integration) could further transform weight management.
- Lost over 100 lbs in 7 months using Mounjaro (GIP/GLP-1) at 14 lbs/month pace.
- Relied on Apple Watch Ultra for VO2Max and workout tracking; a $110 smart scale prevented muscle loss.
- Successfully completed an 80-mile Camino de Santiago hike largely due to tech-enabled health monitoring.
Why It Matters
Proves that everyday wearables and smart scales can make extreme weight loss goals achievable and sustainable for professionals.