6 apps to a better you in the New Year
A bit of help to keep those resolutions in check
New Year’s resolutions are notorious for their enthusiastic early beginnings, only for them to quickly collapse during the first few weeks of January. Fortunately, there are plenty of apps available that can improve your motivation and help you stay on course to achieve your goals in 2019. Here we’ve picked out six such apps for iPhone and iPad that can provide inspiration and stimulus, promote camaraderie and pick you up when you’re down, all of which should boost your resolve to achieve that ideal weight or break that bad habit.
Streaks $4.99 Made for iPhone, iPad
Streaks is great for setting personal goals and sticking to them using a combination of reminders and tracking. Its uncluttered interface lets you track up to six daily or weekly goals and check them off as you go (which is even easier with Apple Watch). Streaks also includes the ability to track bad habits that you want to avoid, with in-depth statistics on your progress available at a tap.
YNAB (You Need a Budget) Free (IAPs) Made for iPhone, iPad
This popular budgeting app doesn’t just help you calculate your expenses. YNAB allows you to apportion every dollar in your budget to a particular purpose, whether that’s to pay the rent or your credit card, and even provides tools useful for getting out of debt for good. Once you’ve synced your bank accounts with the app, detailed visual spending and trend reports are just a tap away.
Fitbit Free Made for iPhone
You don’t need an activity tracker to benefit from Fitbit’s app. Using your iPhone’s accelerometer and GPS, you can use its fluent and friendly interface to track everything from steps and distance covered to calories burned — and more. With the help of compatible accessories, you can also log your sleep, weight, and heart rate, providing a comprehensive picture of your physical fitness.
Scribd Free (IAPs) Made for iPhone, iPad
If you’re looking to read more in 2019, Scribd offers a portal to a wide selection of magazines, ebooks, graphic novels, and audiobooks available right on your iPhone or iPad. Scribd can give you personalized recommendations, but you can also browse by topic, or even take a look at what’s trending. Membership costs $9 per month, but you can trial the service for 30 days, no strings attached.
Nike+ Run Club Free Made for iPhone, Watch
The latest iteration of Nike’s Run Club makes running less of a lonely pursuit while also helping runners improve their strength, speed, and endurance. It achieves this through a series of detailed training plans that include guided runs with audio coaching from top athletes. And if that’s not enough motivation, users can tap into the wider running community by joining global challenges.
Timeless Free (IAPs) Made for iPhone, iPad
Meditation has taken off in a big way in recent years, with scientific research backing claims that it can help improve concentration. Timeless is an elegant practice timer that lets you select how many minutes of each day you want to dedicate to achieving your state of zen. The app includes guided instruction from practicing meditators and lets you set personal goals using detailed charts.