For all of you peeps who made the ever-popular New Year’s Resolution to work out more and get into shape, I have some great apps to help out.
I have never been a great runner, but I do it because…well…I’m not good at it. When I decided that I was going to run more, I started by searching for an interval app that would help me ease into this whole process. Instead of getting on the treadmill and just going for it, I downloaded Run 5K and started the process of trying to become a “runner.”
Run 5K is an eight-week program that has you running three days a week for 20-30 minutes. Those 20-30 minutes consist of a 5-minute warmup, 5-minute cooldown and a series of different intervals that involve walking and running. There are both audio and visual cues telling you when its time to run or walk. The first week starts off super easy — warm up for 5 minutes, jog 45 seconds, walk 90 seconds, jog 45 seconds, walk 60 seconds and repeat 5 times. Each week you’ll run a little longer and walk a little less. The goal by the end of the whole thing is to be able to run a 5K (or 3.1 miles) straight without walking.
Run 5K is $2.99 and is also available in a 10K version. I highly recommend it for those of you who want to ease into the running thing and also like planned workout routines.
Another great app for tracking your outdoor activity is MapMyRun. MapMyRun uses the GPS feature to track and log your pace, live route map, distance, calories and elevation. I’ve used it mainly for running and walking, but you can also track a hike, stairs, biking, swimming (hopefully with a waterproof case) and all sorts of other exercise. I love it for tracking how far I’ve run outside and to see what my pace was. It will also give you voice prompts when you’ve gone a mile, or two, three, four…etc.
MapMyRun. is a free app and definitely worth checking out if you are a fan of keeping track of your progress.
My third and final health and fitness app recommendation is MyFitnessPal, a calorie counter and diet tracker. It’s easy to use and also quickly makes you realize just how much you’re really eating. Log your breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with your snacks and how much water you’re drinking during the day. The app has many major brands of foods ready to choose from; for instance, not just orange juice, but Tropicana No Pulp orange juice with all the nutritional information preloaded. This makes adding it to your food diary really simple.
The only downfall to MyFitnessPal is that sometimes it can take a long time to add your meal. Overall though, it’s a great way to keep a virtual food journal going, and it’s free!
Whether you’re choosing to start your New Year off in a highly active way or just trying to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle throughout the year, I’d recommend checking these apps out. I use all three throughout the year and find that they each bring something helpful to the table (pun intended!).