Smartphone Apps of the Month—January

Hi there! I’m Susan Thomas! As the new author of the Apps of the Month blog, I’m excited to offer all the right tips and tricks, so you’ll get the most out of your new phone. To start this year off right, I’ve found some great new apps for you to try. And, they’re both fun to use!

I don’t know about you, but once the New Year rolls around, I’m super busy. First, with making all of my resolutions…90% of which I’ll never keep. Then, there’s the rest of life to manage as it feels non-stop. Fortunately, I found some free apps to help me get through a good bit of it. Here are a few that help me watch my weight and strive toward a healthy, active lifestyle.

Fooducate—for iPhone & Android

I was already looking for a more dynamic nutrition app to help me eat better. One that would reduce guilt, not lay it on. Fooducate is the clear winner for me because it helps track the quality of the calories I eat, not just the quantity.

Fooducate will show you how to modify your diet with the food your body appreciates, grading each ingredient from A to D. Processed foods score lower and barely processed foods score higher. Fooducate then lets you track your progress while providing answers and motivation from the community. In turn, you can share your tips and success to motivate others.

This popular app is helping thousands get back into their groove. I like how it suggests healthy foods based on what I currently eat. But here’s Fooducate’s most delicious feature: since it analyzes product nutrition panels and ingredient lists, you can just scan product barcodes with your phone’s camera, and the app reveals any controversial food ingredients (like food colorings or preservatives, added sugars, trans fats, MSG and more).

I also like that Fooducate gives daily tips, provides updates on the latest food research and is completely ad-free. It’s time to kick-start my weight loss plan with Fooducate. Sometimes the kick of a fun new app is all you need to get moving and motivated after the holidays.

Balanced—for iPhone

For iPhone users, Balanced has become the go-to app for setting goals to lead a more balanced lifestyle. It removes the guesswork, providing reminders of activities and allows you to track your progress. It could soon become my best new virtual friend!

We all know those little things you need to get done can really pile up fast. With Balanced you can stay motivated, focused and take them all on. People say using Balanced is like having a little person in their phone who acknowledges what you’re doing and motivates you to do more. Just what I need!

Don’t worry though, Balanced still lets you hold the keys. I choose how often I complete the tasks, for example twice weekly to pay and file my bills, or maybe twice a year to clean out my cluttered garage. Balanced is flexible and works on my clock. You could say it’s the planner for people who don’t like planners, but still love making life improvements. Or even just following through on movie or dinner plans with friends.

Just swipe ‘Done’ and you’re rewarded with fun animations that come alive as each task is completed, large or small. I feel instant relief as I break old habits and feel less weight on my shoulders! What could be better than that?

It’s time for me to put both of these apps to work, and start this year off right. Thanks to them, 2016 is looking better and better.

Happy New Year!