from HealthyWomen.org’s Diet & Fitness Health Center

by Helen Williams

You can lose weight without a personal trainer or chef. All of the motivation you need can be downloaded to your phone, computer or tablet. There are many apps to choose from, so we pulled the best options for you. Check it out!

MyFitnessPal
myfitnesspal.com
With more than 5 million food items in its database, MyFitnessPal is at the top of the list of food tracking apps. The company believes the best way to lose weight and keep it off is to track the foods you eat, and this app makes it easy with the use of bar code scanning and the option to save favorite foods and meals. Plus, you can quickly add your favorite recipes from across the Web and track your workouts. It integrates with most products/apps including Endomondo Sport, Fitbit, Runtastic and Fitbit Aria.
Works on iOS, Android, Blackberry, Windows, Web
Cost: $ FREE

Fitocracy
fitocracy.com
Fitocracy’s mission is to make fitness as addictive as any other app or game. Challenge yourself or your friends, level-up with a fun badge system by earning points with increasingly challenging workouts and stay motivated through a dynamic community knowledge center. Prepare to be addicted to this video game–like app.
Works on iOS/Android
Cost: $ FREE; personal coaching $1/day

Noom Coach
us.noom.com
Used by over 28 million people around the world, Noom’s patented technology helps you break bad habits and adopt good ones. Logging meals is a snap with smart search and a complete food database. Noom Coach’s daily focus list and feedback and virtual support groups help you stay on track and achieve your goals.
Works on iOS, Android
Cost: $ FREE; in-app purchases available

Lose It!
loseit.com
Based on the proven principles of calorie tracking and peer support, Lose It! customizes a weight-loss plan to fit your life. The app connects you to people, food information and the devices you need to achieve your goals, including Fitbit, Jawbone Up, Up24 and Nike FuelBand.
Works on iOS, Android
Cost: $ FREE; premium service $39.99/year

Endomondo
endomondo.com
Downloaded more than 25 million times, Endomondo is like a personal trainer in your pocket. The company’s mission is to motivate people to get active and stay active by making it fun and social. This app makes it easy to connect with friends, and it syncs with endomondo.com, where training logs can be found. The premium service offers an expanded range of features including an audio coach and customized training plans.
Works on iOS, Android, Windows, BlackBerry, Web
Cost: $ FREE; premium service $29.99/year

7-Min Workout
7-min.com
No time for the gym? Hate long workouts? This app features 12 exercises that use only your body weight, a chair and a wall. According the American College of Sports Medicine’s Health & Fitness Journal, “It fulfills the latest mandates for high-intensity effort, which essentially combines a long run and a visit to the weight room into about seven minutes of steady discomfort—all of it based on science” (New York Times). This bare-bones, guided, 7-minute workout covers each exercise with built-in images and a timer, making it easy to get your workout in whether you’re at home or on the road.
Works on iOS, Android, Web
Cost: $FREE

For more information on the health topics mentioned in this article visit

the HealthyWomen.org areas below.

Diet & Fitness Health Center: www.healthywomen.org/healthcenter/diet-and-fitness

Healthy Living: www.healthywomen.org/ages-and-stages/healthy-living

Weight Management: www.healthywomen.org/condition/weight-management