5 Apps That I Can Confirm Do Actually Work To Help Keep Me Healthy
Get fiit!
Yes, I do actually have this folder in my phone at all times.
Okay, so this will really only help the female readers out there, because it's a period tracker app.
How I Use It: To remember the day of my last menstrual cycle when asked at the gynecologist.
Perks: Not only does the app help keep track of your cycle, you can also input details about your flow each day along with other factors like emotion, pain, sexual activity, cravings etc. For those hoping to get pregnant, it also keeps track of your monthly "fertile window"
2. Lose it!
Lose it tracks your eating habits and allows you to change your caloric budget to help reach weight loss goals.
How I Use It: To track my calories, but also to discourage myself from eating too much since entering tons of snacks is a hassle, TBH.
Perks: Lose it! stores your frequent foods so if you often eat the same meals, it's easier to enter. You can scan the barcode of literally any item and change the serving size to make sure your calorie count is accurate.
3. Pact
Pact holds you accountable to fitness. A Gym/Veggie Pact requires you go to the gym a set number of times/eat a set number of servings each week, or face a monetary consequence (min. $5/missed event).
How I Use It: As a negative reinforcement technique to make sure I actually get to the gym.
Perks: If you link your fitness tracker, 10,000 steps can count as a workout! AND you can earn money for completing all your pacts each week.
4. Plant Nanny
Plant Nanny encourages you to stay hydrated. You plant a seed and have to water it to keep it (aka yourself) well hydrated!
How I Use It: To reward myself for finishing a bottle of water!
Perks: You can plant all types of different plants that grow throughout their levels into some pretty cute flowery friends! The app will also notify you when your plant is getting thirsty throughout the day to help you stay on top of your intake.
5. UP by Jawbone
The UP app links to my Jawbone fitness tracker to record my steps each day and my sleep data each night.
How I Use It: To monitor my physical activity and motivate myself to walk more
Perks: You can set a vibrating idle alert to let you know when you've been sitting for too long and need to get up and stretch. You can also link the food score column to Lose it (or other food tracking apps) to give yourself extra calories in return for logging a workout.