Losing weight is not easy, and anyone who has ever tried can attest to that. While there is no shortage of proposed solutions for weight loss, only a few actually work. One method that has recently gained traction is healthcare apps. Virtually everyone now has a smartphone, so something as simple as downloading the right app can make weight loss more accessible for everyone. While certain apps work better for certain individuals, here are five upsides to using healthcare apps to help with weight loss.
1. Calorie Tracking
Perhaps the most important part of weight loss is tracking calories. After all, calories in and calories out are the basis for losing weight. However, keeping track of how much a person has burned during the day is difficult without the help of a healthcare app. Without one, anyone losing weight will have to record this themselves, which will be inaccurate and burdensome. You might think you’re eating healthy, but once you start looking at portion sizes and how many calories are in food, you’ll be surprised. Having an app to track your calories will also provide accountability, and many apps allow you to add connections, so this will also help in accountability.
2. Diet Management
Along with exercise, a proper diet is essential for weight loss. Unfortunately, it can be hard to discern fact from fiction when it comes to what food is healthy. Some brands are cleverly marketed, and it sometimes takes a nuanced look to know what food will help or hurt one in their weight loss journey. Healthcare apps take the guesswork out of the equation and can provide detailed plans, removing the mental load from the user.
3. Work-out Routines
Anyone who has gone to the gym for the first time knows how disorienting it can be at first. So many machines, so many people.. It is hard to know where to start. Thankfully, another advantage of healthcare apps is the ability to plan and schedule workouts, helping the user focus on the exercise itself.
4. Sharing and Accountability
Many healthcare apps have functionality to share progress with friends and family. This accountability piece is huge for maintaining the discipline required to lose weight. Many start the journey of weight loss strong, only to run into roadblocks as time goes on. Having other people on the journey makes consistency easier and can even add a competitive edge.
5. Medical Red Flags and Concerns
An underrated benefit of healthcare apps is their ability to detect potential areas of concern in a person’s health. Metrics like V02 max can hint at larger health issues, some of which may contribute to weight gain or even more serious issues. Some applications may even allow for this data to be directly shared with healthcare professionals, who can then assess it and determine if additional follow-up is needed.
The future of healthcare apps is bright, and anyone hoping to lose weight should keep a close eye on the horizon. Weight loss has never been easier, it’s just a matter of finding the right tools to help.
