Can Your Phone Help You Lose Weight?
That new fitness app sure is nifty, but will it help you lose weight? Find out here.
Ben Greenfield
by Ben Greenfield
A recent study scheduled to be released in the Archives of Internal Medicine looked into whether using a mobile app that tracks eating and activity can actually help you to lose weight.
It turns out that using an app which gives you some idea of how many calories you consume and how much physical activity you get can not only help you lost weight, but can actually result in a significant amount of weight loss. Up to 15 extra pounds per year!
But here’s another interesting thing the study uncovered: The amount of weight lost was closer 
to 8.5 pounds when the use of a mobile app was not paired with twice monthly health education classes on nutrition, exercise, and behavior.
So in order for a phone app to be maximally effective for weight loss, you need to make sure you add in some kind of accountability, too. Even doing something as small as making a commitment to listen to the Get-Fit Guy podcast each week can help to keep you learning and slim.
Click here for a list of some of my favorite fitness phone apps, and if you have more questions about how your phone can help you lose weight, then ask away at the Get-Fit Guy Facebook page.
Chrome dumbbells from Shutterstock
About the Author
Ben Greenfield received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from University of Idaho in sports science and exercise physiology; personal training and strength and conditioning certifications from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA); a sports nutrition certification from the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN), an advanced bicycle fitting certification from Serotta. He has over 11 years’ experience in coaching professional, collegiate, and recreational athletes from all sports, and as helped hundreds of clients achieve weight loss and fitness success.