It’s that time of year again, isn’t it? The crush that comes at the end of the year has us all thinking about what’s next, and how to make it happen. The good cheer and amazing food added to social engagements and a sparse amount of daylight inevitably get many of us off track with healthy eating and regular exercise. It can be difficult enough just to maintain healthy habits, let alone lose weight, but it can be done!
In case it wasn’t already, your cell phone is about to become your best friend. Along with everything else you use it for in your life, your cell phone is an excellent tool to help you stay focused, organized, and on track.
IN THE KITCHEN
We’ve all heard the adage that losing weight is 20 percent exercise and 80 percent diet. That 80/20 number may not be completely accurate (there are probably as many opinions as there are experts), but your eating habits have a lot to do with your overall health and your weight loss. Your favorite apps on your cell phone are a great place to store your favorite recipes, as well as new ones to try.
You can make your healthy shopping lists on it, as well. Having a list in front of you will often help to keep you from impulse buying once you get to the grocery store.
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It is also helpful to keep track of your food intake so you can see what you’re doing right and what you may need to improve upon. Having a daily record of your eating habits is helpful when you’re getting in shape. Apps such as MyFitnessPal allow you to input your own foods, so if there’s something you like that is not on their list of foods you can type in the nutrition info from the label or even scan the barcode and hit save. This does wonders in getting you to read the labels on the food you are buying and preparing., which is important.
Just so we’re square, no one on earth enjoys counting calories. Using your cell phone to count them for you makes it easy!
IN THE GYM
Whether you save your favorite workouts to your Pinterest, have an email subscription for a new workout every week, or save your workouts with an app like Samsung Health. Save new ideas and take your phone with you to the gym. Changing up your routine can be good for the body and the mind: it keeps your muscles guessing and keeps you from getting bored with the monotony of the same-old-same-old every day.
TRACK YOUR PROGRESS
When trying to lose weight it is important to keep track of the progress you make. Yes, this can get frustrating when you experience a setback or your stride plateaus. Keep in mind that this is normal and keep going! That pedometer on your phone measures your journey one step at a time.
SHARE WITH A FRIEND
Thanks to our mobile devices we can have workout buddies without needing to go to the gym at the same time as they do. This opens up your schedule but still keeps you in touch with your pals. Even if your partner can’t make it to class or to the gym you can still motivate and push each other remotely. Sharing your improvement with like-minded people can give you a boost of confidence when you need one!
Another great thing about using your cell phone to help you lose weight is that you can personalize your goals accordingly. Whether you’ve had a setback or you’re ready to take your workouts to the next level, having your advancement in black and white in front of can help you gauge what your next steps will be.
NEED MORE? THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT, OF COURSE
Not just one, either, there are a lot of apps for your phone that can turn it into a fitness and weight loss powerhouse. Many can help fill in the gaps in your accountability, calorie counting, or fitness goals. Check your app store for what you are looking for. Do you want to know more than the labels tell you about your food? Are you more interested in a step counter, or a calorie counter? Is it motivation and accountability? Like an app that publishes your accomplishments so that you get feedback on them from real people in your life? All of these types of apps and more are available, plus quite a few that blend all of those things together for you. There are even apps that track your sleep.
You can use your cell phone to keep a food and weight loss journal, too. Okay, so this can be done on paper or on your computer, as well. Regardless of whether you journal on your phone or in some other way, keeping a record of your day-to-day process is an invaluable tool. Losing weight is not an entirely physical commitment. Your mind needs to be involved, too. Observing your moods and how your diet and exercise make you feel will help you analyze your needs, especially if you’re going to be in it for the long haul.
Don’t forget to pack your headphones! Whether it’s your tunes or you’re catching up on your favorite podcast, having something you enjoy listening to is bound to keep you happier and more energetic during your workouts.
