Exercise is always that little bit easier when you’ve got a partner in crime going all the way with you. But how about having hundreds of them cheering you on all at the same time, checking your progress and always being there for support? Sounds pretty motivating, don’t you think?
Well that’s exactly what technology has brought us! Mobile apps and websites such as MyFitnessPal, were created for that very reason. Don’t have a fit buddy in real life? No problem, you can always find someone else who’s using these online communities to help you out. These apps allow you to track your progress, whether that be weight gain, loss or maintenance. There’s always the misconception that these apps are primarily for losing the pounds. But, with calorie, water and exercise trackers, it can simply be used for keeping a record of your day to day activity. Now there’s no need to keep buying one of those fitness diaries. Especially when your updates can be posted online to your fitness friends to gain a bunch of likes and comments! Don’t lie to yourself, you know you love the likes!
MyFitnessPal is one of the most popular health trackers out there at the moment with over 80 million users (Tech Crunch 2015). With the extreme variety of food and drink in its nutrition database, it is no wonder that people turn to this app to keep themselves in check. And if you’re unable to find data that is accurate to what you are eating, all you have to do is use their built in barcode scanner and voila! Not to mention you can create your own recipes and input the data yourself. Now you’ll know exactly how many carbs are in that homemade spaghetti bolognese you eat every week.
Fitness applications have changed the way we view workouts forever. Everyone knows that feeling of when you do something exciting, or even go on holiday; if you don’t post it, it didn’t happen. It’s the exact same concept for many people who use MyFitnessPal and other trackers; there is always that impulse feeling to post when you’ve achieved something. Even if it is eating those healthy rice cakes rather than a bag of Walkers!
Those of you reading this will probably know at least one person who loves to brag on Facebook about how many miles they have ran/cycled (I certainly do!). But, if you are that person, then scoot yourself over to one of these apps. This is exactly what they are for! It will be so much more rewarding to have people who actually care about your progress, see your posts, than to have people scroll past it thinking not another one. These trackers create such a feel of a community with their forums and friend requests. It is its own social media with a theme of healthy living.
If you consider yourself a fitness guru, then why wouldn’t you want to connect with like-minded people and motivate yourself further. But, if you’re a newbie and want to start making some healthier choices, why not check it out? What have you got to lose?
Katy xo
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