“I’m going to go for a run every morning before work.”
“I’ll stop drinking wine on weeknights.”
“I’ll start meal prepping every Sunday.”
We’ve all heard them—and said them—before. Every year to be exact. And aside from being aspirational resolutions, what do these statements have in common? They last about as long as a man with PE.
We’re all guilty of it. We start off with the best intentions, ready to tackle the new year. But soon, we get caught up at work and become stressed and overtired. We start skipping our workouts and ordering takeaway. Scoffing a croissant on our morning commute and filling our nights with endless social events. We make ourselves perpetually busy—because our culture thrives off it. And suddenly, our New Year’s resolutions get postponed—to February, March, April. “I’ll start next month,” you say. But the year goes quickly and before you know it it’ll be 2018. New year, no new you.
And while I’m not a fan of that expression, you get my point. So instead, why not actually make this year different? Setting achievable goals and sticking to them is possible. Sometimes, you just need a hand. A hand attached to an iPhone that is.
We’ve rounded up some of the most common New Year’s resolutions—from losing weight to improving your sex life—and the apps that’ll help you achieve them. Don’t go it alone, these will keep you accountable and on track to finally tick that box in 2017.
7 Apps You Need To Actually Stick To Your New Years Resolutions
Resolution: To Lose Weight
App: Rise
While we’d recommend a health resolution that doesn’t focus on weight loss, if you’re determined to drop that dress size once and for all, try Rise. Unlike other apps that leave you to assess your own eating habits—and don’t know about your midnight snacking—Rise pairs you with a registered dietitian to keep you on track. They work with you daily, sharing meals and advice, and keep you accountable every step of the way. They’ll pair you with someone suitable and tailor your plan to you. It’s not free but it’s pretty close.
Resolution: To Get Fit
App: Nike Training Club
It’s January 1 and you’ve just Googled, “How to look like Kirsty Godso“. Save yourself the expensive surgery and start with the Nike Training Club app. I use this myself and would recommend it to anyone. Along with a library of instructional workouts, it can create a bespoke training plan for you. Enter your fitness goal—strength, endurance, mobility—along with how often you’d like to workout and it’ll be there every step of the way. It’s flexible—you can add alternate workouts such as swimming, running and sport—and reactionary—it tracks your progress and updates in real time.
Resolution: To Start Meditating
App: 1 Giant Mind
2017 is all about being mindful and if it’s your year to hit the cushion, try 1 Giant Mind. It’s the first ever free ‘learn to meditate’ app, with meditation expert, Jonni Pollard at the helm. With an easy 12-step program, 30-day challenge, meditation journal and more, it makes mastering the art of meditation feasible, even for those who can’t sit still.
Resolution: To Be More Productive
App: Wunderlist
It’s time to overhaul all your organisation apps because having so many is counterproductive. Stick to one. I like Wunderlist. It allows you to create to-do lists and categorise them by focus, priority and time. You can set due dates and reminders, add notes and even collaborate on tasks with others. Stop writing everything on post-its all over the office, keep it all in one place and you’ll be more productive, I promise.
Resolution: To Read More
App: Goodreads
Whether you used to be an avid reader but now can’t find the time or your new to turning pages, Goodreads is the place to spark your inner book worm. It’s a virtual book club with a library one can only dream of. Rate and review books, share comments with friends and receive personal recommendations based on your tastes. You can even keep a list of must-reads for a rainy day.
Resolution: To Learn A Language
App: Duolingo
If you thought learning a language was difficult at school, try learning one once you’ve left! Duolingo takes you back to the classroom, with games and tools that make going bilingual fun. No matter what level you start at, you’ll be an expert by the time you’ve finished.
Resolution: To Improve Your Sex Life
App: HappyPlayTime
If your romantic relationship is the top priority for 2017, it’s time to get comfortable with yourself. HappyPlayTime is an app (partly in the works) is a series of sex education games and tools whose aim is to eliminate the stigma around female masturbation. It features a cartoon vagina—or ‘Your friendly neighbourhood genitalia’—named Happy to avoid any uncomfortable close-ups of the real thing and to make ‘learning’ more fun. Happy shows users exactly where to touch her—and therefore yourself—and lets you know when you’re hitting the right spot by saying encouraging things like: “Oh my, I’m getting all hot and bothered.”
