Getting healthy is probably one thing everybody has on their new year’s resolution list. For many though, it’s also the first thing to get crossed off the list, in the first few days. It’s understandable; after all we’ve also gone through it at some point. There’s always something or the other that gets in the way. Be it work, family, social responsibilities, or just stressful eating, it becomes difficult to cope while trying to lead a healthy lifestyle. But there’s always hope, hope of this year being different from the last. And you know what? A good look around might tell you it’s true. Things are different. We’re much smarter and better informed. It’s easier to make changes and it could start simply with the device you carry in your hands, or rather one strapped to it.
Get a fitness tracker
If getting fit is in fact on your list, then one of the first things we recommend doing in 2018 is getting yourself a fitness tracker. It might sound like a big commitment, but it’s really not. Fitness bands have become pretty common this year. Most people simply have them as an add-on accessory for their smartphone. It’s because they aren't that expensive anymore and there are tons of choices, across functions and features to choose from. You can get something as basic as the Intex FitRist for a mere Rs. 1,249*. You can also invest in smartwatches that have more features to offer, but a basic fitness tracker can even get the job done.
Basic fitness trackers like the Intex FitRist are simple to use. They can count your steps, track sleep patterns, calories you burn everyday and some even monitor your heart rate. But it's not the information that is more important, it's what you do with it. Fortunately, most fitness trackers have you covered. Fitness bands are generally paired with apps that can be installed on your smartphones. You can use these apps to input your data, set realistic goals and ultimately use the fitness band to track your achievements. Some apps even set goals for you and notify you when you achieve them. Having all this information is helpful. Knowing that you’re only a 1,000 steps away from your goal, pushes you to skip the short rickshaw ride and walk home.
But it's not just completing a set number of steps everyday. You can also track the calories you burn while undertaking other physical activities. This includes going to the gym, or a jog or even playing a sport. So your goals can be as diverse as losing weight or gaining more muscle mass. You can also track your heart rate and set a goal to improve your stamina in the long run. Fitness trackers give you second-to-second update of your heart rate, while undertaking physical activities. Imagine not only feeling better over a period of time, but actually having proof of it in the form of a visual graph. It only motivates you to do better the next time.
Smartwatches can do more. There’s better tracking here and for a wider range of activities. The data collected by apps is also used smartly. In a way, they go beyond fitness trackers, to become personal health monitoring devices. For example, some trackers can monitor abnormal heart behaviour and alert the user to take counter-measures. They also keep a check of your daily calorie intake and can remind you to drink water regularly. You can even get recommendation of activities that suite your needs better. There’s an eco-system created that pushes you to lead a healthier lifestyle all around.
Besides that, smartwatches have their own set of fancy features to offer. They can give you access to notifications from third-party apps on the phone. You can even control music or watch videos on them. They are generally more independent of phones, keeping you more focused on the current activity at hand. So which should you buy? That depends entirely on your needs and your budget. If it's just fitness you're looking for, then simple fitness trackers are recommended. They are affordable and carry more or less the same tracking features as a smartwatch. However, their apps aren't as heavily equipped as the ones offered alongside smartwatches. So you're more dependent on third-party applications like Google Fit or RunKeeper, where you’ll have to chalk out your own fitness regime. However, if you don't want to do that and can afford to spend the extra buck, then a smartwatch is definitely a good buy. Most of the ground work is laid out for you. It's just a matter of sticking to it. The list of fancy features also makes the experience better.
Keep your eating habits in check
Eating healthy contributes to about 80 per cent in leading a healthy life style. A common study shows that people living in African tribes burn the same amount of calories everyday as anybody working a desk job. The only reason for them being much leaner then is the fact that they eat healthy.
Eating healthy isn't as easy as it sounds though. We wouldn’t even argue, if you’d consider it to be harder than working out everyday. That’s where apps like HealthifyMe Weight Lose Coach and My FitnessPal come into the picture. These apps help measure your calorie intake everyday, based on the food you eat. You simply have to log in your meals. Keeping your diet is generally difficult to pay attention to, especially when you can't see the harm they are doing. But knowing the amount of calories a Samosa carries can certainly give you the hibbie jibbies.
Of course you don't have to eliminate everything unhealthy from your diet. These apps simply provide a little perspective of what you need to cut down on. You can also count on them to keep you in check by setting a daily limit on your calorie intake. Some apps even go as far as recommending diet plans, including number of meals and their portions, based on your fitness regime. You can also get healthier recipes to try over time.
Use social media as an influencer
None of this is possible if you're not motivated enough. There are many ways to do that. We recommend following fitness bloggers and vloggers online. By making them a part of your Facebook, YouTube and Instagram feed, you’ll not only keep yourself inspired, but also get a few tips and tricks that you can ultimately add to your fitness routine. Music is also a great influencer. Streaming services like Apple Music, Google play Music and SoundCloud all have huge list of workout playlists. It's only a matter of finding one that suits you the most.
These factors will only push you in the start, but once you start seeing the change, you won’t even have to depend on them. Ultimately, it all comes down to discipline and how far you choose to push yourself. Finding time out from your busy routine is the only thing you need to do. Have a Happy Healthy New Year!!
