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16 Weight Loss And Fitness Apps Proven To Help You Reach Your Goals

If you've ever scrolled through the thousands of different health and fitness apps for your phone, you know it's impossible to tell from brief descriptions which apps will work best for you. You'll go through a lot of trial and error—and possibly money—struggling with apps that are hard to use, confusing, or simply don't spit out the data you're looking for.
 
Now researchers at the University of Texas Medical School have done the work for you. They tested 131 different apps for effectiveness in boosting motivation; they also analyzed previous studies and personal reviews from male and female users ages 16 to 50 to separate the helpful from the useless.

First the good news: The right app can really help, says study author John P. Higgins, MD, associate professor of medicine at the University of Texas. "Lack of encouragement, support, or companionship from family and friends has been identified by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a major barrier to physical activity," he says. Finding apps that use virtual coaches and offer social-media sharing stand in for that missing support and boost your motivation, he says. (Looking for a flat belly and the body you always wanted? Then the Ultimate Flat Belly DVD is for you!) 
 
Higgins and colleagues found that the best apps featured options to set goals, track performance, self-monitor, and tailor feedback. The top picks are below. One last note: Higgins recommends starting with apps that offer free trials so you can make sure they're a good fit for your personality and needs. Get ready to swipe, tap, and sweat away! 

If you're ... trying to lose weight 
Weight Loss AppsPhotograph by Cultura RM Mischa Keijser/Getty Images


Fooducate
You'll get rankings of your food choices from A (great) to D (bad), plus healthier alternative suggestions based on your weight, height, gender, and diet goals. (Check out what a perfect day of eating looks like.)
 
Lose It!
You can create your own weight loss plan based on your goals and track the calories you take in and burn.

If you're ... looking for fitness tracking
Fitbit
Want weekly summaries of calories burned, miles logged, and weight gained or lost? This is the app for you. (Requires device purchase.) (Here are 20 health trackers that can tell you more about yourself than you ever thought possible.)
 
Fitocracy
Why it works: It increases your motivation by encouraging you to share your progress on social media and offers to connect you with virtual coaches, who can further help you with your goals.
 
MapMyFitness
In addition to usual features (calorie-burning, workout tracking), this app syncs with multiple devices.
 
Nike+ Running
You'll get indoor and outdoor run-tracking, as well as audio feedback during your run about your pace and calories burned. (Requires device purchase.)
 
RunKeeper
Along with tracking exercise and weight loss, this popular app syncs with 70 other apps.

Runtastic
You'll find out how many calories you burned plus your distance, speed, and elevation gains while biking, running, or walking. Tracks your route on a map so you'll know where—and how far—to go.
 
Run with Map My Run
It tracks indoor and outdoor aerobics and resistance exercises; it also tells you how many calories you've burned.
 
Strava Running and Cycling
You can compare your performance to your friends' performance on social media while gathering suggestions on the best local areas to run and bike. "The addition of positive social support from social networks can promote feedback and friendly competition," Higgins says.

If you're ... looking for a challenge
Running Fitness AppsPhotograph by Betsie Van Der Meer/Getty Images


Charity Miles
Each mile you log earns you money to donate to a charity of your choice. You'll get 10 cents a mile for cycling and 25 cents a mile for running and walking.
 
Couch to 5K
Not surprisingly, this is for people who get very little to no physical activity. In just 3 months, the virtual coaches and training plans will prepare users to run a 5K. (Check out our easy running plan to get you to your first 5K.)
 
Runtastic Six-Pack: Abs Trainer
Choose from 20 different core-strengthening exercises that'll help you achieve a more toned tummy in just 10 weeks. You'll get guidance on all the exercises and the muscle groups they target.

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