Smartphones…the next step to better health?
As university students, the academic term can become quite overwhelming. In the midst of balancing quizzes, midterms, presentations and assignments, it is easy to neglect other aspects of your life. For many, this usually involves sacrificing a good, balanced diet and regular exercise. Often, it is simply a matter of not knowing where to begin, what to do, and how to maintain consistency with regards to healthy living. You might find yourself saying “I’ll just go to the gym next week” despite promising yourself you would go today, or “I’ll just order a pizza tonight” instead of figuring out a healthier meal option. With the next academic year ahead, it is time to replace these negative habits with more positive ones. Your smartphone can become the key to maintaining the healthy lifestyle you’ve always wanted, for much cheaper than a personal trainer or nutritionist! There are hundreds of apps out there that can help you incorporate proper nutrition and fitness into your routine without taking too much way from your busy schedules. The following list consists of a few examples of smartphone apps designed to help you stay on the path of healthy living. The best part? They’re all free! Perfect for that university lifestyle.
Nike+ Training Club (iOS, Android)
Designed by Nike, this app equips you with a virtual, personal trainer in the palm of your hand. It takes into consideration your fitness level, goals, exercise preferences, and allows you to connect with friends to get motivated!
Moves (iOS, Android); Human (iOS, Android)
Can’t afford a fitbit? Here are some cheaper alternatives to help you log any activity you do on a daily basis and allow you to view the distance, duration, steps and calories burned for each activity on an easy to view timeline. These apps can help you easily assess your exercise routine and develop healthier habits. Note: these apps may consume battery power so nightly charging is recommended.
Dungeon Runner: Fitness Quest (iOS)
Physical activity can be quite tedious and boring at times. This app provides the perfect solution by turning your wourkout routine into a game!
Pepperplate (iOS, Android, Windows); Sparkrecipes (iOS, Android, Windows)
Pepperplate is a meal planning tool that lets you import recipes and build menus for your regular meals during your busy weeks. It also generates shopping lists based on the menus made to make grocery shopping easier! Sparkrecipes provides over 500,000 healthy recipes and allows you to search by ingredient, course, dietary needs, occasion and more. You can view the nutritional information for each recipe and it provides cooking techniques for the starting student!
Myfitness Pal (iOS, Android)
This app tracks both your nutrition and fitness. It is also perfect for setting specific lifestyle goals whether it is reaching a certain number of steps daily, managing your weight or simply trying to stay healthy!
Sources
- Top 10 Apps for Health, Fitness and Nutrition
- The 38 Best Health and Fitness Apps
- Most Helpful Apps for Students
- The 5 Best Healthy Recipe Apps
- Recipe, Menu & Cooking Planner