Weighing in on Apps and Devices to Keep You in Shape

Are you are one of those “numbers” people?  (You know who you are – you like spreadsheets, graphs, and objective data.)  Then using electronic devices to track your progress might be right up your alley.  Maybe you’ve tried to keep written food records, but found them too tedious, or could never remember where you left your notebook.  If you can’t keep your hands off your smart phone, those hand held devices may offer just the tricks to keep you on track.
Using apps for your phone or tablet, or other tracking devices are not only convenient; they offer accountability, and a tangible way to view your progress, and achieve your goals.
Here are some top picks, but the best apps and devices are the ones that fit you, your goals, and lifestyle.
Lose It! – This free weight loss app lets you set goals, and log in food and exercise.  Besides automatically tracking your favorite foods, you can save complete meals to transfer to another day so you don’t have to keep retyping the same data in.  Reports of intake and expenditures can be generated so you can view at a glance if you are on target.  I find inputting data via the web version on my computer to be more user friendly than the phone app, but they sync up automatically, which is really convenient.  Lose It! has a great data base, even for brand name foods.  It is compatible with other fitness devices and apps such as Nike+, Jawbone, Runkeeper, and Fitbit.
Myfitnesspal – Free.  This is a close second for me to the Lose It! app only because I find Lose It more aesthetically appealing, and slightly more user friendly.  Otherwise, it has a lot of the same features, including the large data base and phone to PC sync.  You can create a friends list and the app will send around supportive messages to your group about its’ members progress and positive behaviors.
Endomondo Sports Tracker – Free, $4.99 with upgrade.  If you like social support to keep you on track, this fitness app allows you to post your workouts to Facebook, receive motivational texts from friends which are read aloud to you, and race against friends.  Any outdoor activity can be tracked by GPS to include data such as duration, speed, time, and calories.  Indoor workouts can be entered manually.

Fitbit the One – $99.  I like this device because not only does it track your steps, stairs climbed, and calories, it even watches you while you sleep.  And who couldn’t use a few more zzz’s?  This Fitbit will automatically sync with your computer and smart phone (check for compatibility).  Graphs are generated so you can view your activity and sleep quality.  The wristband has a vibrating alarm so you won’t wake your partner.
TempoRun – $2.99.  For me, the best running companion is my music.  Maintaining a specific and consistent pace is key to getting through a workout or race.  This app will automatically categorize your music into 10 speed categories, with 1 being a walk, and 10 being a sprint.  Your training history and progress are tracked.