How I Use ChatGPT to Track My Fitness, Nutrition, and Weight

Why I Believe AI Is Worth $20 a Month — And Why It Will Never Replace Human Expertise

I believe that if you want to improve something, you need to measure it. Whether it’s training for a triathlon, managing my weight, or living with Parkinson’s disease, tracking my progress helps me make better decisions.

Over the past several weeks, I’ve started using ChatGPT as a personal tracking and accountability tool. And I have to say, it’s becoming one of the most useful tools in my health and fitness journey. Personally, I prefer using ChatGPT over a traditional fitness app. It works well for my needs and gives me the flexibility I'm looking for. But that's simply my personal preference. Everyone should choose the tools and resources that work best for their own goals and lifestyle.

For $20 a month, I believe it’s money well spent.

Tracking What I Eat

Every day, I tell ChatGPT what I eat and drink ( with calories ). Sometimes it’s as simple as saying, “Log a small banana,” or “Add 170 calories and 20 grams of protein.”

ChatGPT keeps a running total of my daily calories and protein intake. It also helps calculate the nutritional content of homemade recipes, including meals my wife ( Brenda ) prepares.

My goal isn't simply to lose weight. I want to maintain muscle, fuel my workouts, and improve my endurance while gradually working toward my goal weight of 175 pounds which is also what I weighed at 22 in 1989 when Brenda and I got married.

Having this information organized makes it easier to recognize patterns and adjust my eating habits.

Monitoring My Weight

I weigh myself most mornings and record the number in ChatGPT.

Instead of getting discouraged by a temporary increase, I can look at weekly trends and compare them with my calorie intake and exercise.

I've learned that individual weigh-ins don't tell the entire story. Hydration, sodium, food intake, and recovery can all influence the scale.

The trend matters more than any single number.

Tracking My Exercise

As someone training for triathlons while living with Parkinson's, exercise is a major part of my life.

I use ChatGPT to record swimming, cycling, running, strength training, and Garmin intensity minutes. By default, my data is in the Garmin app as well.

It helps me review weekly training totals, compare workouts, and organize future training schedules.

My bigger objective is to become a stronger, faster endurance athlete while preparing for IRONMAN 70.3 North Carolina in 2027.

ChatGPT helps me see where I'm improving and where adjustments might be beneficial. Beginning November 1st, I’ll be working with a new triathlon coach to help take my training and performance to the next level. I’ll continue using ChatGPT to track my nutrition, weight, workouts, and overall progress. For me, it’s about combining the expertise of a qualified coach with the convenience of AI to get the best of both worlds.

AI Is a Tool, Not a Replacement for People

Here's something I want to emphasize.

Artificial intelligence should never replace your doctor, qualified medical professionals, or an experienced coach.

Living with Parkinson's makes that especially important to me.

My neurologist understands my medical condition. A qualified triathlon coach can evaluate my training, technique, and performance in ways AI cannot fully replicate.

ChatGPT can also make mistakes, so I review its calculations and recommendations.

I see AI as an additional resource, not the final authority.

My Bottom Line

For $20 per month, ChatGPT gives me an incredibly convenient way to organize information, evaluate progress, and stay accountable.

It's available whenever I need it, whether I'm logging breakfast, reviewing my weight, or planning/logging workouts.

But technology works best when combined with personal responsibility and knowledgeable human guidance.

AI can help me understand the numbers. My doctors, coaches, and personal experiences help me make the decisions.

And ultimately, I'm still the one who has to do the work.

Parkinson's doesn't define me, and neither does a number on the scale.

What matters is continuing to move forward, one day and one workout at a time.

David Williams is a triathlete, Parkinson's advocate, speaker, and creator of The Unsteady Show, sharing his journey to encourage others to live actively and purposefully despite life's challenges. Donate To The Parkinson's Foundation: www.David2026.com Order Apparel: www.FightPD.Shop