With the multitude of available health tracking apps, it seems like we should all be incredibly healthy and fit at this point, right? Well, unfortunately, this only works if we’re actually using these health tracking apps.

Many of us download them, use them for a few days (or never even open them), and end up forgetting about them or deleting them. Even the health tracking apps built directly into our smartphones sometimes don’t see a lot of use. Do you think a health tracking app on your smartphone has ever made you any healthier?

Absolutely

Man putting weight plates on a bar at the gym

If you’ve found a health app that helps you stay fit, congrats! That’s no easy feat. The same app that works beautifully for one person won’t always work for everyone else.

Because of this, you often have to go through the trial-and-error process with a ton of apps. Once you finally find the one (or ones) that makes you healthier every day, give yourself a pat on the back and do a little happy dance.

Only in the Beginning

Many health and activity tracking apps come with a dopamine-inducing newness when you first download them. It’s exciting to fill in all your info and make these great plans to improve your overall health.

Woman with hands behind back holding a yoga pose

For the first few days, following your plan is easy. You’re motivated by new conditions, thinking “This will be the app that works for me.” Then, a week or two passes, and you’ve fallen back into your old habits and forgotten about the app.

If this sounds familiar to you, I promise you’re not alone. I’ve done this so many times with calorie counting apps, activity tracking apps, mindful meditation apps to reduce stress, and daily habit apps intended to help with my health goals.

Not at All

For some people, a health tracking app—whether it’s one you download or one that comes built into your smartphone—isn’t ever going to work. You might prefer planning on paper, need to see health goals prominently displayed on the kitchen calendar or your bathroom mirror, or benefit from a physical fitness tracker on your wrist to give you daily health reminders.

Do Health Tracking Apps Work for You?

When it comes to overall health and fitness, we have to do what works for us. Listen to your mind and body intuitively, and figure out which healthy methods naturally work best for you.

For example, rather than forcing yourself to go to the gym every night after work, maybe it’s an easier and smarter idea to lift weights at home in front of your TV while binging Netflix, or put on a pop playlist while cooking dinner and have a dance workout session in your kitchen.

Are there any health tracking apps that have stood the test of time for you and made you healthier overall? For me, investing in a Fitbit and using Fitbit’s companion app has helped me improve my health. There are also apps I use off and on when I feel like I need a bit of extra help getting back on track, like Lose It!, 7 Minute Workout, and Wysa. What about you?