Smartphone’s are becoming a regular mainstay in society. Some haven’t adopted the Smartphone lifestyle yet. Others are glued to it like I am. The truth is more and more people of all ages are learning how to use their phones as personal organizers, cameras, video cameras, video gaming devices, online browsers, social media devices, financial managers, GPS’s, media players, e-readers… you’ve heard the slogan, “There’s an app for that.”

Flurry Analytics, a technology analytics firm out of San Francisco, New York, and London recently did a study that says Americans spend an average of 1 hour and 34 minutes per day using mobile apps. This is 20 minutes more than actual web browsing (on a PC or laptop), which came in at 1 hour and 14 minutes. This means people are using Smartphone’s more than surfing the web on a home PC or laptop.

Dr. Edward R. Laskowski, M.D. from The Mayo Clinic writes that the Department of Health and Human Services recommends getting at least 30 minutes a day of moderate aerobic activity (walking, swimming, mowing the lawn), or 15 minutes a day of vigorous aerobic activity (running and aerobic dancing [ex: Zumba]). It is also suggested that it is spread out over the course of a week.

Want to hear something ironic? The statistics I cited in the paragraphs above are articles I looked it up on my Smartphone. Since were on the theme of time, it took me 3 minutes.

Who cares? Why does this matter? What does it have to do with Bariatric patients?

Some of you have either recently made a significant lifestyle change, or are considering making one with the Capital Regional Bariatric Centers Lap-Band® Program. Part of that lifestyle change is a life-long commitment to diet and exercise. Guess what? There’s an app for that! No, none that do the exercise and diet for you. I mean the commitment part. Rather, accountability towards your commitment. If you are a Smartphone user, it makes you wonder how much of that 1 hour and 34 minutes per day is being spent on something you would consider “productive” toward your weight loss goals.

So, I made a list of mobile apps available on both iPhone, and Androids that I consider to be great tools to help you with your journey. I actually use some myself for my own fitness goals (and sometimes lack thereof)!

Instant Heart Rate Pro – $0.99 (free version available)

This is pretty nifty! It’s an app that you place your finger over the camera lens of your phone, and it monitors your heart rate; a great tool for any level of healthy living. You press the icon, hold it for 10 seconds, and that’s it. I use the free version, but you can go “Pro” for 99 cents.

My Fitness Pal – Free – Luke’s Pick!!!

I love this app and use it daily! It calculates your BMI. It calculates your BMR. It counts calories (over 1,000,000 food database from all restaurants). It lets you enter calories burned with exercise. It gives you reports on your progress. Plus, it’s free! Picked by Wired Magazine, and PC Magazine as Editors Picks for lifestyle apps. It’s easy, fun, and addictive! You can also log in from your home computer, which I prefer more than the app!

My Tracks – Free

I also use this app when I go out for a run, jog, or walk. It takes your map and GPS function and maps out your route as you go, recording distance, speed, and altitude. Sounds complicated, but the great thing about this app is all you do is click the app icon, and hit “start.” When you are done, hit “stop.” It does the rest for you.

Eat This Not That - $4.99

Eating out is the bane of every diet. Based on the selling book series, this app lets you compare restaurant choices based on nutritional value, so you can make better choices based on information. It comes with a database of foods and nutritional value info so it streamlines the process of searching and comparing entrees, making it a little quicker for you.

JEFIT Pro - $4.99

If you really want to take it to the next level, then JEFIT is worth the price. It has all the basic functions as My Fitness Pal, but dives into each workout by logging progress down to the set and rep, if you’re into that. It’s probably too intense for the beginner, takes a lot of time to enter information, and can be somewhat “un-user friendly” at times. Again, depends on what you want to us it for. There is a free version with limited functions available too.

Ultimate Weight Watcher Diary - $3.95

This app gets a lot of good reviews, and pops up first on all of my searches for “Health and Fitness” apps. It states to be the most comprehensive application for those following a food value based plan (ex: Weight Watchers).

Other Practical Apps:

Basic Notepad App – Free

Having a note pad app is great for quickly adding notes about health and fitness information you hear about (or anything really). I like to blog, and I compile information in what I call “blog blurbs” in my notepad app. Hint: If you are like me and hate texting, you can also download an app that lets you “talk-to-text.” Makes it a lot easier, quick, and hands free! Sometimes it misspells what you say, but for the most part it works great.

Camera/Video Camera – Free (usually included on all phones)

Things like before/after pictures, and video journals are important for motivation.

Bar Code Scanner – Free

Having a bar code scanner on your phone is great for checking prices, and nutritional value of food you intend to purchase. Also, some applications let you compare prices on certain items. For example; you are at a department store and you are looking at buying a set of 5lb dumbbells. You can scan the bar code on the item, and go online and compare that items prices.

There are many more health and fitness apps out there. No matter what level you consider yourself “technically savvy” these apps are easy to get, easy to use, and sometimes free! These apps are by no means a necessity for a lifestyle dedicated to health and well being. Basically, you don’t NEED them to get results. However, similar to the Lap-Band® device, these apps are great tools to work with to achieve your weight loss, fitness, and wellness goals. They are great for logging benchmarks in your success, stay accountable, and getting great information quickly. So, after spending 1 hour and 34 minutes on your Smartphone, and 30 minutes exercising, you’re free to use the other 21 hours and 56 minutes however you choose!