If you think hard–really hard–you can probably remember the days before technology was so prevalent in our lives. We asked strangers for directions and went to restaurants without reading reviews. We sent snail mail and went to the library when we had a question that needed answering. Without a doubt, technology has simplified our lives. In other ways, though, it has complicated it. Things that we didn’t have access to before are now possible just through a quick download. One of my favorite ways to use technology is to help achieve my health goals. These are some of my favorite picks that you might enjoy as well!
MyFitnessPal
Once you input your height, weight, and activity level, MyFitnessPal will calculate the exact amount of calories and nutrients you need to achieve your health goals. This app will help you lose weight, gain weight, or just maintain your regular weight–whatever your goals are, this will help you accomplish it. With the dietary information of over 6,000,000 foods, input is quick, easy, and accurate. At the end of the day I can input all that I ate and check how closely I stuck to my daily recommended intake all within about five minutes! If you are interested in changing your weight or simply seeing the nutrition your body is getting, this is the app for you! – available on Android and iOS
Waterlogged
This may seem like a frivolous app, but for those of us who want to be more careful about how much water they are consuming on a daily basis, this is a perfect fit. Not only can you track water, but other liquids such as sodas and teas. Input is easy–you enter drinks by choosing ‘favorite’ cups, such as water bottles, coffee mugs, or the typical 8oz cup. I love the visual nature of this app. The fact that I can see how much water left I have to go each day keeps me driven to fill up that little virtual bottle. Plus, sodas and other beverages don’t count toward your daily goal, so it keeps you honest. 😉 – available on iOS
Bowel Movement – BM
The prior apps will make sure that what is going in to your body is good, and this one will make sure what is coming out is agreeable as well. This app tracks what time you poop, what type of poop you have, and how much of it you have. All the data you compile will be plotted on a calendar and averaged across the week so you can find patterns in your poo schedule. See if work stress triggers irregularities, or if drinking more water really does help your digestion. It’s a little odd and no one likes to be the one to say it, so I will: Your poops are important! The ideal bowel movement should be like a smooth brown banana and you should have 2-3 movements every day. If you aren’t, you could potentially have something going wrong, so use this app to make sure you are on track! – available on Android
5K Runner: 0 to 5k Trainer
If your health goals include better fitness, you’ll love this app. Running is one of the best things you can do for your body and the best thing about it is that it is free! It isn’t always easy to get out there and hit the track, though, so let this app be your personal fitness coach as it takes you from a couch potato to a 5k runner in just eight weeks. Carry your phone with you while you exercise, and it will record your workout, telling you when to run hard and when to walk and allow yourself a break. I’ll admit, I’m not in 5k form yet, but this is inching me ever closer every day! – available on iOS
Pacifica
In times of turmoil I know I can often be found distracting myself with the internet. This app turns that habit of distraction into something that can actually be beneficial. Pacifica is an app that helps you manage your mental health. Each day, you track your emotions and choose from a list of activities to help improve that mood, whether that means calming your stress or examining your thoughts. The activities are based on cognitive behavioral therapy combined with relaxation and wellness techniques. These are daily holistic techniques you can use to improve your mental health. Don’t be like so many and let your mental health fall by the wayside. Download this app and give it a shot! – available iOS and Android
Do you have any favorite health and wellness apps? Share them in the comments below!