By James Yeo
Here’s the hard truth: Too many of us get out of shape because of unhealthy habits like excessive alcohol consumption and fast food.
According to recent media reports, the cost of healthcare and lost productivity due to obesity in Singapore is estimated to be at least US$614 million in 2016.
Expensive gym memberships don’t seem to be alleviating the problem either. For all we know, gym memberships these days can cost a fortune, starting at $70 a month and up (if we exclude the crowded neighborhood ActiveSg gyms).
We think there’s a better, more cost-effective way around this: watching what we eat and logging our physical activity using apps. Here are four free apps specifically designed to help you on your fitness journey.
1) Healthy 365
The Healthy 365 app, an initiative of the Health Promotion Board in Singapore, is a great companion on your journey to better health and weight loss.
It’s free to download and helps you track your daily calorie intake and physical activity. It also gives you detailed information on how you’re doing against calorie deficits and weight loss goals throughout the day – a handy feature that saves you from having to count calories.
The database even includes local foods with their calorie content. And the best thing about this app? It offers built-in challenges to keep you motivated and on track to your goals, and lists health and fitness events in your area.
Click here to get this very helpful app.
2) MyFitnessPal
Another free fitness app with excellent reviews is the MyFitnessPal app. It was even named the best nutrition and tracking app by Lifehacker.com.
Although the app is not designed to log your physical activity, those who want to get their unhealthy diet under control will greatly appreciate this app.
It has a searchable database of millions of foods, so you can enter your meals and not have to count the calories yourself. Plus, you can add your own foods and recipes at any time and access them from anywhere with an internet connection.
Last but not least, it offers a personalized diet profile tailored to your individual weight loss goals.
3) LoseIt
If you are someone who likes to set concrete goals, measure them and achieve them, this app is for you!
LoseIt tracks your diet and exercise daily, allows you to set (and stick to) a calorie budget, and also encourages you to create a weight loss plan that works best for you. No one-size-fits-all model, but the opportunity to develop and create a plan that fits your lifestyle and helps you succeed.
With the LoseIt app’s calorie intake option, you can search for foods, scan the product’s barcode, or even take a photo of it to find the best match! And the best part is, you get a community of like-minded people who are all in – or have been in – the same situation as you.
This is also free, but you have the option to unlock an amazing range of additional features for a small monthly fee.
4) FitBit
We all know the FitBit trackers for counting the steps taken during the day, but did you know that FitBit also has a free app for your smartphone?
FitBit works similarly to the tracker, tracking your steps and movements using your phone and calculating distance traveled and calories burned – all based on the data you enter.
The FitBit app lets you get inspired on your fitness journey by sharing stats and challenging friends and family. What better way to motivate yourself than a little friendly competition – it’s backed by science!
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