Written by Keri De Deo
Also featured on Be Live Stay Well
If you’ve been looking for the perfect fitness app, then you’ve probably noticed the thousands out there. So, how do you know which one works for you? Perhaps I can help.
At one time, I weighed 315 pounds (at 5’7”). Today, I’m 125+/- pounds lighter. It took time, determination, hard work, and several tools to accomplish that. Options to lose weight numbers in the thousands, and you have to find what works for you—even if you have to change it up from time-to-time. If you find one thing works for a while, but then you hit a stall, don’t be afraid to move on to something else. Consistency is great, and I have seen people lose weight from eating the same thing every day, but I crave variety, so that didn’t work for me. I moved from one app to another as my needs changed, and although that took countless hours perusing and sampling fitness apps, it helped keep me motivated. I hope my research can help you find the right app (or several) that will help you meet and maintain your fitness goals. To me, a perfect app has the following options:
- Flexibility
- Optional meal planner
- Generated shopping list
- Exercise tracker
- Multiple nutrition tracker (carbs, protein, etc.)
- Reminders & schedulers to keep me on track
- Water intake
Not everyone wants the same thing from their tracker, so I attempt to provide a variety of pros & cons beyond my own criteria. Many of these apps have websites as well, so if you prefer to do your tracking online rather than through a mobile app, this option exists.
My Fitness Pal (MFP)
I list this first because it is the most well-known, and I have used it, but I ultimately uninstalled it.
Pros
- 10 million downloads
- Calorie-Tracker
- Large database
- Calculates calorie intake for
- Connects with other apps like Fitbit, Misfit, and more
- Keeps track of nutrition beyond calories, such as protein, carbs, fat, etc.
- Reminder if you don’t log in regularly
- Connect to other members
- Keeps recipe records
- Barcode scanner
Cons
- Can’t plan meals ahead
- No provided meal plan
- Relies on standard weight loss goals and not completely flexible (I do better by eating under 1200 cal.)
- No shopping list
Lose It!
This is another popular app.
Pros
- 5 million downloads
- Similar to My Fitness Pal
- Provides more images, charts, and visuals than MFP
- Recipe builder
- Links to Misft, Fitbit, and other apps
- Analyzes eating and exercise patterns and provides feedback for improvement
- Connects to friends
- Provides challenges & competitions
Cons
- Not as large a database as MFP
- Free edition is limited. It’s only $3.00 per year, but I prefer FREE or at least a one-time charge rather than a subscription.
- Can’t plan meals ahead
- No provided meal plan
- Relies on standard weight loss goals and not completely flexible
- No shopping list
- No reminders
- Focused only on dietary goals
Ultimately, I uninstalled this app because of the fees and inflexibility.
Spark People
Not many people have heard of Spark People, but it’s been out there for years—well before the fitness app craze. The best part is that it’s free, and although I don’t use it all the time, I have never uninstalled it. It’s like an old friend I keep visiting.
Pros
- 1 million downloads
- Pre-planned meal plan
- Flexibility
- Shopping List
- Calorie & carb counters
- Barcode scanner
- Articles for information, inspiration, and motivation
- Links to Fitbit, Misfit & other apps
- Recipes
- Recipe builder
- Can plan ahead and check off what you eat
- Add food as needed
- Visuals
- Reminders
Cons
- No custom reminders
- Only focused on dietary goals
- Limited exercises tracking
- Not always easy to use
For the longest time, this was my favorite app. I still have it installed, even. I loved the pre-planned meals and the fact that I could change them to suit my own needs, but changing the meal plan is easiest on the website, and I wanted to do that in the app on my phone rather than going online. I also needed custom reminders. If I didn’t click on the app, I would forget about it. I also get bored, so I needed a change.
Diet Point
This app gives you a diet plan and reminders to help you follow it. It allows you to choose from several options. I paid for this app at 50% off, and I purchased Ulla, their water-drinking reminder device. It doesn’t quite have everything I want, but I’m using it.
Pros
- 1 million downloads
- Pre-planned meal plans
- Shopping list
- Motivational messages
- Reminders
- Great tips
- Focuses on water intake, too
Cons
- Shopping cart is for one person, and it lists amounts you never buy (for example, 2 oz. of blueberries!). This changes for each diet.
- Pro version has the most diet options
- No checklist (you either eat what they tell you or not)
- Doesn’t really count calories…you just eat what it says and when
- No exercise tracking
- Can’t customize diet plan
If you just want a food plan to follow, then this is the app for you. If you can’t find the exact options you want in the free version, then expect to pay for the Pro version. Watch for ads to get it for 50% off, which I did—otherwise it’s a little expensive as far as apps go. I have been using this, but will more than likely will uninstall it.
My Diet Coach (PRO)
This app is just fun. You get an avatar that you can dress! I broke my own rule on this one and paid for it! That’s how much I love this app.
Pros
- 10 million downloads
- Fun with visuals
- Has an avatar that you can dress and stylize
- Earn new clothing & accessories as you use the app.
- Customized reminders
- Food log
- Can plan ahead and check off items as you go
- Can add meals & quick foods as needed.
- Can plan recurring meals (For example, if you have a protein shake every morning, then you can schedule that every morning.)
- Challenges beyond dietary goals
- Help with setting goals
- Panic button! (I LOVE this!)
Cons
- Doesn’t offer pre-planned menus, but does provide examples
- Not a large database
- Not all features are included in the free version
- No shopping list
The best feature is the Panic button. Clicking the “Panic” button gives you advice based on what challenge you’re facing. This is my favorite app so far, and I’m not planning on uninstalling it anytime soon. This app combined with the bonus app below truly help me be healthier and happier.
Bonus App: Fabulous
This app goes beyond simply diet & exercise. It helps focus your mind and spirit along with your body. It provides newsletters, challenges, videos, reminders, all with motivating music! All activities are designed to give you a happier life.
I recommend adding this app to any fitness app. You won’t regret it, and it’s FREE!
Of course, this is not a complete list. There are too many out there to provide a complete evaluation; however, these are the ones I have used, so hopefully, this provides you with some help in finding the perfect app for you. Just remember that you don’t have to stick to just one app. If you don’t like one, move on. Just used to it before investing any money.
Here’s to a happy, healthy life!
Keri De Deo
