There's an app for that!

Your heart races;

You frantically search for it;

You re-trace your steps;

You find it. You are so relieved!

What am I talking about? Your phone, of course!

We’ve all been there – after all, we carry them with us everywhere. We use them to store our pictures, shoot videos, listen to music, play games…not to mention keep tabs on our emails, social media updates and messages multiple times a day. They have evolved (and so have our lives) to a point where our phones have become totally integrated into everyday life. So it only makes sense that with advancements in this technology, we can utilize our phones to advance our health and fitness.

If you are a follower of All Out Training, you already know that a balanced diet, purposeful exercise, quieting the mind and finding happiness are the four areas to find your way to leading a healthy and robust life. It is easy to feel bored, burned out or like we barely have a handle on our already busy plates. And if you rely on yourself to get motivated to work out or eat healthy, it can be even harder to hold yourself accountable.

Ah, but thankfully we have tech support! Apps are just another useful tool in your tool belt – add one or two to a great program and a qualified coach, and your chances of success get a nice boost!

Here are just some of the advantages of using health and fitness apps:

1. You can easily track and monitor progress and receive instant feedback

2. They’re often customizable to your exercise and nutrition needs

3. You can set your level and progress to other levels

4. They can help you set goals that you can achieve

5. They can help you stay committed - you know exactly what you have completed and what still needs to be done

There are so many apps out there; it’s easy to end up spending a bunch of time just weeding through them all! We want to be moving, not wasting time sitting with our phones in hand.

To give you a leg up, here are 12 apps you should consider downloading, to help you get started and keep you going!

FOOD

Fooducate: This app grades foods that you either scan or search. The grade helps you to make a decision when it comes to your food choices.

Meal Logger: Keeping a food record is sometimes challenging. This app lets you take pictures of your food and upload them. You can invite others who have similar goals to the app to keep each other accountable. It is a great way to see what others are eating and to also see what you are missing in your diet.

Happy Cow: Stuck for recipes? This app has plenty! It also features a handy search function that is based on your goals.

EXERCISE

Tabata Pro: My ultimate, favourite interval timer app. What I like about this app is you can play music through the app and set your work to rest ratios. Our “Get Me Through the Holidays” Challengers loved this app!

Runkeeper: This app tracks your exercise through either GPS or a timer. This will help you get an estimate of calories burned as well as track your fitness improvements. It is a great one for runners with a variety of training plans.

Pact: This app rewards you with money for reaching your fitness and nutrition goals. On the flip side, you also pay for missed workouts or a lack of servings of certain food groups.

Jetfit Pro: If you’re looking for an app that functions as a workout log, then this one is for you . Customize your workout, track it and then analyze your progress.

Nike Training Club: This app lets you choose your training level, and then select from hundreds of workouts. If you’re the social type, you can invite your friends to set up some friendly challenges.

WellCoin: is like social network meets reward system. You log healthy activities throughout the day receiving points (Wellcoins) for each. You can then redeem your Wellcoins for stuff.

MIND CALM

The Five Minute Journal: This is the high tech version of the rainy day journal. Enjoy daily inspirational quotes, upload pictures, share reflections and receive morning messages of gratitude.

Headspace: Considered the personal trainer for your mind, this app offers meditation and mindfulness techniques. Users can subscribe to 10 minutes a day for 10 days and choose from guided and non-guided meditations. Another “Get Me Through The Holidays” Challenge favourite! Gratitude Journal: Just as the name implies, this app helps you log all that you are grateful for daily.

GOAL SETTING AND ORGANIZATION AND OTHER STUFF

Wunderlist: A great app for households that share the responsibility of grocery shopping and even kids sports schedules, this one helps you store your to-do lists and share them with others.

Everest: Part life coach; part cheerleader - this app keeps you on track with your goals. What I like about this app is that it lets you set out all the steps you need to achieve your goal, and even sends you friendly reminders to get at it!

iPeriod: Great for those not on birth control and needing to keep track of their monthly cycle. Not only does it keep track of your unwanted houseguest, but also shows you when you are ovulating and helps you track other things like symptoms and cravings.

Stocking your phone with great apps that wo

rk with your style and goals is a great way to stay on track. Whether you’re trying to set goals, find calm, change up your eating or get moving, there is an app that can be added to your arsenal of tools.

What are some of your favourite apps? Have you tried any of the ones we’ve recommended?