Apps:
1. MyFitnessPal, Calorie Counter & Diet Tracker (Free):
This is an app that I personally have used for years and love. It’s basically a virtual food diary that lets you input everything you eat throughout the day and then breaks it down for you (calories, fat, carbs, etc.). It lets you track your progress, see where your problem areas are, and connect with other users. This is a great and easy way to see where your strengths and weaknesses are in your diet, and understand what foods are healthier than others.
2. WaterMinder (Free):
This is an app that helps you track your water intake each day, and is also an app that I have personally used. Many people don’t realize how important drinking water is when it comes to losing or maintaining weight. This app allows you to input your height, weight, etc. and then tells you how much water you should be drinking each day. Then, every time you drink water you input how much and it shows your body avatar filling up with water, so you can visually see how close you are to your goal. So not only are you drinking your recommended water each day, but you get the sense of accomplishment when your avatar is completely filled.
3. 7 Minute Workout Challenge ($1.99):
This is a physical activity app that provides workouts that can be done anytime, anywhere. One of the most used excuses when it comes to not working out is lack of time, but I think you’d be hard pressed to not be able to find 7 minutes in your day to use this app. Studies show that, while it’s ideal to get about 30 minutes of physical activity each day, anything is better than nothing. This app provides workouts (including full audio, video, visual and textual instructions for each), and ways to track your activity and monitor your progress. It’s a great resource to have on days that you’re just too crunched to make it to the gym.
Virtual Memberships:
1. Weight Watchers Online Plus (regular $19.98/month):
Weight Watchers now offers an online membership where you still have access to all of the great information and support you would get from going to meetings. This membership can be accessed online or through an app and provides 24/7 chatroom support, the PointsPlus system, recipe ideas, physical activity tracking, informational videos, and a community of other users. This virtual membership provides everything you need to make smart, healthy choices and saves time by being right in your home or pocket.
2. CHAARG On-Campus/Virtual Membership ($45/semester, $55/semester):
CHAARG is an awesome new resource for college girls. Its program is all about “liberating girls from the elliptical” by providing a variety of fun, upbeat workouts whether they be on campus or online. Unfortunately, Miami University doesn’t currently have a CHAARG chapter, but they do offer a virtual membership that is just as helpful. This program is great for anyone who is sick of basic workouts and wants to connect with others to keep motivated to be physically active.
So, while it’s important to make sure you don’t spend too much time in front of a screen, it’s also important to capitalize on the unlimited amount of technology we have at our fingertips.