Fitness apps: Distraction or Tool?

Posted on

17 August 2014

| Last updated on 19 April 2017

Fitness Apps - Distraction or Tool?

The recent proliferation of mobile apps and accessories dedicated to health and fitness are overall a very positive global trend. After all, the more we pay attention to our health, the better off we’ll be – right?

Today’s professional and technologically savvy expatriate women in Dubai have thus far been keen adopters of diet apps and wrist bands which tell you what to do, but does consuming the latest “wearables” really have a positive impact on your health? Will wearing the right watch help you fit into that slinky dress you rewarded yourself with after that promotion at work?

Let’s consider the possibilities.

In your mind?

Many of the latest discoveries in behavioral science have been able to shed light on how human beings make decisions. Everyone knows what they should do in order to be healthier and fitter: more exercise and less eating, especially of unhealthy snacks. The rest, frankly, is just details and fads.

The fact that we’re not universally healthy and fit indicates that there’s some sort of problem. How do we entice ourselves to drink water with lemon, when a double shot latte with whipped cream and sugar tastes so much better? How do we convince ourselves to take the stairs when the elevator is just right there? Why would we ever bother walking when Dubai is just so darn hot!?

It’s easy to make excuses and take short term shortcuts over long term gains. It’s human nature and research shows that there are very good reasons for humans to be wired this way. It is likely that we evolved to conserve energy in order to protect our vital functions in case of famine or shortage. And if conserving energy is your goal, eating lots of food and getting no exercise is the best way to do it.

Of course, we are extremely fortunate that most reading this will never experience true hunger or deprivation, but how do we convince ourselves to stay active and eat right?! After all, Dubai has so many great restaurants…

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Sticks and Carrots

It is sad to say, but sometimes we just have to admit that in some ways we’re no better than the stubborn old nags of yore. We have to figure out a combination of sticks and carrots that will enable us to stay motivated and on top of our natural inclinations to overindulge.

Now here’s where the apps come in. It would be impossible to review every fitness app available, as new ones are popping up all the time, but the very best of these apps will provide you with the right level of rewards and punishments to keep you on the treadmill and away from the dessert cart.

Some of the latest innovations will reward you with gift cards or music, or in-game currency. And others can punish slackers with financial penalties. Nothing hurts more than a kick in the pocketbook!

It's up to you!

Perhaps the biggest shortcoming of any of the fitness apps is that they are not you. They don’t feed you. They don’t pick you up off the sofa during a reality TV marathon. Downloading all the apps in the world will never replace your personal dedication toward getting motivated and doing something positive about your health.

Apps really are just a tool to help keep you focused on your goals. Think of them as the little angel in those old cartoons, perched on your shoulder and encouraging good behavior.