Which App is Best to Track My Weight Loss?
There’s a lot to consider when selecting a weight-loss app. With an overwhelming number of options for both iOS and Android phones, it can be difficult to determine which apps are worth your time.
When used as a part of a comprehensive weight-loss program, an app can help you monitor your daily food intake, exercise time, and water consumption – all metrics that can contribute to reaching your target weight. Research indicates that using an app promotes self-monitoring, a habit that may promote weight loss.
You’ll get the most from an app when you’re using it to support a plan that’s customized to your current health condition, lifestyle, and goals.
Our weight-loss specialists at NuidaRx Weight Loss in Tallahassee, Florida, design weight-loss programs to help patients improve their well-being and achieve their goals. We can provide the direction you need to make the behavioral changes necessary to establish and maintain a healthy weight.
Generally, the right weight-loss app can be a valuable tool in your weight-loss program. A weight-loss specialist can help you identify an app that monitors important factors like your daily micronutrients, macronutrients, and hydration. These are the factors our staff members incorporate in personalized meal planning to help you reduce body fat and build muscle.
Where to start
To select the right app, you’ll have to consider the basics before you begin your search.
IOs vs. Android
While most popular apps are available for both iOs and Android phones, it’s not always the case for every app. Clarify this at the beginning of your search so you don’t spend time researching the details of an app you can’t use.
Free vs. paid
While you can utilize a wide range of weight-loss services for free, make sure you read the fine print. Some apps are free but require a monthly fee or subscription for premium services like status reports and recipes. Others may start as free but then transition to a fee-based service after a period of time.
Easy vs. complex
Consider your technical skills and how much time you’re willing to devote to learning how to use a new app. Some weight-loss apps focus on ease of use while others offer extensive options that require more advanced skills.
Anonymous vs. member
Some weight-loss apps allow you to track your progress without creating an account. This is an important feature if you’d like to use the app’s benefits while keeping your data anonymous.
What you need
Ultimately, the app that’s right for you is the one you’ll use consistently to support your weight-loss goals. It should motivate you to make healthy changes and help keep you accountable for maintaining those changes.
Work with your weight-loss specialist to determine what type of app can support your program and the goals you’ve established. Some common features of weight-loss apps include:
- Food tracking via barcode, photo, or manual entry
- Nutritional assessment of food
- Calorie tracking
- Nutrition education
- Macro tracking
- Water tracking
- Exercise logging
- Daily steps
- Heart rate monitoring
- Compatibility with a smartwatch or other device
Top-rated weight-loss apps
Don’t worry if it takes some trial and error to find the weight-loss app that’s right for you. Start by checking out these highly rated weight-loss apps to get an idea of what’s available.
The following weight-loss apps are available for both iPhone and Android platforms:
Cronometer
Cronometer supports specialty diets, tracks up to 82 micronutrients, and monitors nutrient and macronutrient targets.
Fooducate
Fooducate assigns a grade from A to D for each food choice, then explains the grade, suggests alternatives, and tracks macronutrients and lifestyle metrics.
LifeSum
LifeSum tracks calories and macros through photos and barcodes, provides recipe suggestions, and compiles a daily rating to report on how well you’re meeting your goals.
Lose It!
Lose It! aims to simplify calorie counting and nutrient goals like tracking macronutrients by setting a daily calorie budget for you.
MyDietCoach
MyDietCoach is a daily food diary and macro tracker that allows you to log your meals in advance and maintain a clear picture of how your workouts affect your progress.
MyFitnessPal
MyFitnessPal is a calorie and macro tracker app that includes a photo meal scanner, nutrition insights, an online community of users, and cardio and strength workouts.
MyPlate Calorie Counter
MyPlate provides a daily snapshot of macronutrients, summaries of your progress over time, recipes, workouts, and community support.
Find out more about using apps and other strategies to help you achieve and maintain your weight-loss goals. Request an appointment online or call our office today at 850-765-2549.