Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi

There's an App for That

Virginia C. Boles, RD, LD

Welcome to the age of technology, where the swipe of your fingertip can bring you heaps of information! Making healthy lifestyle changes and keeping them can be challenging, but we live in a time when we can use technology to help us succeed. There are many apps for tracking your food intake, exercising, de-stressing, getting enough sleep and grocery shopping. There are also a variety of fitness watches that can track your physical activity and heart rate.

The important thing to remember is that you may want to seek guidance in setting health goals. Always talk with your primary care provider before beginning a diet change or exercise program. He or she can help you understand your unique health status and how your health goals can positively impact it. Wellness Coaches, Registered Dietitians and Exercise Physiologists can also be great resources.

When you combine expert guideance with mobile technology, you have a winning combination that can set you up for success in reaching your health and wellness goals!


myBlue

myBlue

If you have a Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi benefit plan, you can use the myBlue app to download your virtual I.D. card, find and contact a nearby Network Provider as well as track wellness benefits, medical and prescription drug claims history and more.

<em>my</em>Blue - Available on the App Store
<em>my</em>Blue - Get it on Google Play

Calorie/Macro Trackers

MyFitnessPal

The MyFitnessPal app is used to track calories and/or macronutrients. Just enter in your information (height, weight, age and goals), and the app will create a calorie range for you to follow. You enter everything you eat to keep track of your intake each day. Exercise and steps can also be tracked.


Run Trackers

Strava

There are many running apps out there such as Strava, MapMyRun, Nike + Run Club and more. These apps are used to track and map your runs. In addition to tracking your run, Strava is a social platform for runners, whereas with Nike + Run Club you can join in challenges with other runners on the app.


Meditation

Headspace

Having good mental health is just as important as physical health. Apps like Headspace and Calm: Meditation have guided meditations to help you slow down and become more mindful.


Workouts

Nike+

Apps like FitStar, Nike + Training Club, and Sworkit are great for any level of fitness. They offer guided work outs that use minimal equipment, if any, and can be used anywhere you go. You can choose a short 10-minute workout if you don’t have a lot of time, or you can get a full 30 minutes or more working out.


Activity/Fitness Trackers

Fitbit

There are many wearable devices that track physical activity. Many of the Fitbit wearables track your steps, activity, heart rate, calories burned and sleep. The Apple Watch, a smart watch, can also track your activity like the Fitbit. If you are a runner, a GPS running watch like a Garmin, may be a good fit for your fitness goals. With most products, you’ll also need to download the partner app for your selected device.


Game-based Fitness Apps

Zombies, Run!

While WiiFit and Dance Dance Revolution may be things of the past, game-based exercising is still an on-going concept. Zombies, Run! is a running app that gives you a mission while you escape the zombies that you can hear chasing you. Fitocracy is an activity tracker app where you log your exercise or use their free workouts to earn points and level up. You also are given quests so you can unlock achievements. These apps are good for those who like to game and need a challenge!


Grocery Shopping

Fooducate

Fooducate is an app that has a database of 250,000 food items so you can scan items while you are shopping to see if the food has been graded as a healthy food or not. Seasonal and Simple is a produce app that provides information on when produce is in season, key nutrients and tips for how to select, prep and store the produce. These apps can help you shop healthy and reach your goals.


Download on the App Store or Google Play today!

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