We often think that our personal devices are making us lazier. It is easy to see why: we binge on our favourite TV shows, we’re addicted to social media and we don’t even need to leave the house to catch up with friends. Despite all this, it now easier than ever to stay in shape. With the help of technology, we can track our calories, plan our fitness regime and even ensure that we have meals from healthy restaurants at our door. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a total beginner, there are apps to suit everybody and get yourself moving.
1. Meal Prep
Meal prep used to mean a Sunday spent slaving in front of the oven, cooking 300 chicken breasts and chopping broccoli. Often, the results would be uninspriring but at least you would have enough food that you wouldn’t be tempted by the bad stuff. Thankfully, meal delivery apps such as Deliveroo have come along, and you can enjoy a fresh salad from the local deli or a vegetable stir-fry delivered to your workplace. If you’re trying out a new way of eating, you’ll be able to taste a variety of vegetarian dishes and might even be inspired to make your own.
2. Fitness Coach Apps
There are hundreds of fitness coach apps on the market at the moment. From yoga gurus to reality TV stars, everyone seems to be infiltrating our electronic devices with the promise of making us more lean. If you’re a little bit gym shy, Couch25k makes learning to jog a more simple task. The running plan will take you from being a sofa slob to running 5k in 9 weeks. The app increases the distance incrementally, and you’ll start with a mixture of running and walking. For complete beginners, the in-coach app makes a great motivator and will tell you how far along you are, and congratulate you when you get home.
3. Track what you’re eating
Once you’ve started jogging, and you’ve got your meal prep sorted, you might want to try tracking what you eat using an app such as MyFitnessPal. It’s no secret that losing weight is 80% diet and 20% fitness, so keeping track of your calories could seriously improve your results. You’ll also get access to important nutritional information and a full vitamin breakdown to ensure that you’re keeping your body healthy and fuelling yourself with the right kinds of food. Bacon might be a great protein, but you’ll have to eat some fruit if you want your vitamin C!
You’ll find your phone to be a force for good when you begin to use it in a more productive fashion. A lot of apps also include wearable tech which will track your heart rate, so that you can keep in touch with how every aspect of your body is responding to your new programme. It can be daunting when you begin a journey to a healthier lifestyle and hopefully these apps will make it a little easier. Remember to consult your doctor before embarking on large changes in diet or beginning a new fitness regime.